BILINGUAL REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT

Christ Community Health Services•Memphis, TN

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Registered Dental Assistant provides comprehensive chairside support to a licensed dentist and/or hygienist, facilitating efficient delivery of high-quality patient care. In addition to clinical responsibilities, this role performs essential administrative and clerical functions to ensure the smooth and effective operation of the dental clinic. Assists with language translation for patients as needed to ensure clear, accurate communication and enhance access to care.

Requirements

Bilingual with one to two years experience performing fundamental and expanded duties of a registered dental assistant as outlined by the Tennessee State Board of Dentistry
Experience completing dental radiographs and alginate impressions
Experience performing clerical duties associated with a dental office
Registered to practice as an expanded function Dental Assistant as stipulated by the Laws and Administrative Rules of the Tennessee State Board of Dentistry
CPR Certification is required
Requires high periods of concentration intermittently and normal attention. Generally, even once the job is learned, tasks will require normal attention to deal with recurring variables.
Assisting the dentist, sterilizing instruments, taking x-rays, pulling files
Greeting patients, taking x-rays, getting supplies
Maximum number of pounds required (with or without assistance): 30 lbs.
Patients in wheelchairs, boxes of supplies, moving the patient chair
High degree of Hand:Eye Coordination Required for Dental Chairs, Dental x-ray machine, Computers, Dental instruments, Autoclave, Processor
Exposure to fumes from chemicals (developer fixer); intense light under the dental light; exposure to varying weather conditions when traveling between worksites; exposure to contagious and infectious disease; possible burns from the autoclave.

Responsibilities

Provides chairside assistance by retracting the patient’s cheek, tongue, and oral tissues, and effectively manages moisture control using suction and air/water syringes to maintain a clear operative field.
Obtains diagnostic dental radiographs, including exposing and processing X-rays of the teeth, jaws, and surrounding oral structures in accordance with safety standards.
Assists with clinical procedures by applying topical anesthetics and medications; placing rubber dams; removing excess cement from restorations; placing matrix bands; adjusting orthodontic ligatures; and removing sutures as directed by the dentist.
Performs basic dental assessments, including dietary and salivary evaluations, and adheres to strict infection control protocols in compliance with OSHA and CDC guidelines.
Provides patient education on proper oral hygiene techniques; accurately charts oral conditions and treatment provided in the patient record.
Maintains and disinfects dental equipment, including flushing and cleaning evacuation systems according to established protocols.
Completes required clinical and administrative documentation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
Coordinates patient scheduling, including recall appointments, to support continuity of care and optimal clinic flow.
Manages inventory of dental supplies and equipment; places orders, tracks usage, coordinates equipment maintenance and repairs, and evaluates products and pricing.
Tracks and monitors dental laboratory cases to ensure timely case completion and proper communication with dental laboratories.
Performs all duties within the scope of practice for a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), in accordance with applicable state regulations.
Adhere to guidelines associated with approved treatment plans (OTP), ensuring alignment with payer and organizational standards.
Provides language translation assistance for patients as needed to ensure clear, accurate, and culturally sensitive communication. Supports patient understanding of dental services, treatment plans, and administrative processes, thereby enhancing access to care and promoting a positive patient experience.
Provide coverage and support across multiple dental practice locations as needed.
Performs additional duties as assigned to support clinical operations and enhance patient care delivery.
Performs coronal polishing procedures and mechanically polishes restorative surfaces in accordance with established clinical guidelines.
Places and removes provisional (temporary) restorations as directed by the supervising dentist.
Monitors patient status and comfort levels during the administration of nitrous oxide sedation, ensuring patient safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
Applies pit and fissure sealants to prevent dental caries, following evidence-based clinical protocols.