Dental Assistant, Eastmoreland Office (On-Call, Days)

Kaiser Permanente • Portland, OR

197d

About The Position

Provide direct support to dentists, hygienists, denturists and other provider personnel in the delivery of dental care and service within a Kaiser Permanente dental office.

Requirements

• One (1) year of experience as a dental assistant OR a graduate from an ADA accredited dental assisting program.
• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.
• Dental Radiation Proficiency Certificate (Oregon).
• Pit and Fissure Sealant Certificate (Oregon) within 6 months of hire.
• Expanded Function Dental Assistant Certificate (Oregon) within 3 months of hire.
• Basic Life Support within 3 months of hire.
• Demonstrated competence in four-handed dentistry technique.
• Satisfactory level of knowledge and proficiency in use of current dental materials, instruments and equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to follow instructions and work effectively under both direct and indirect supervision.
• Well organized in use of time and effort.
• Demonstrated capacity to act in a professionally courteous manner.
• Excellent attendance record.
• Final candidate is required to pass a clinical pre-employment skills test.

Nice To Haves

• Basic knowledge of sterilization and infection control equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform all duties permitted a dental assistant consistent with training and under the observation of a licensed provider.
• Apply topical anesthetic and desensitizing agents as directed by the provider.
• Remove sutures and post-extraction and periodontal dressings.
• Retract a patient's cheek, tongue, or other tissue during an operation.
• Assist in the placement or removal of a rubber dam.
• Remove debris created during operative procedures with a vacuum device, compressed air, mouth washes, or water.
• Inspect the oral cavity using a mirror.
• Dry root canals with paper points.
• Place temporary filling material into the endodontic access.
• Take impressions for periodontal night guard.
• Polish the coronal surfaces of teeth when determined free of calculus.
• Train patients in techniques of oral hygiene and prevention of oral disease.
• Place films (dental radiographs), adjust equipment preparatory to exposing films, and expose films.
• Preliminary select and size bands in support of a dentist provider who is not an orthodontist.
• Remove fixed orthodontic appliances.
• Check for loose bands and brackets.
• Remove ligature ties and head appliances.
• Place and remove arch wires, elastics and orthodontic separators.
• Take intra-oral measurements for orthodontic procedures.
• Remove supra-gingival orthodontic bracket bonding material.
• Organize patients' dental records consistent with established guidelines.
• Greet and inform patients of general treatment to be provided.
• Review health questionnaire with patients and notify provider of reported conditions.
• Promote patients' emotional comfort and gain rapport.
• Communicate information important to maintaining proper scheduling and flow of patients.
• Prepare, organize, arrange and pass dental instruments, supplies and materials as requested.
• Establish and maintain a clear and clean operating field.
• Record and verify information in patients' dental records according to established procedures.
• Enter, retrieve and transmit patient care and service related information via the automated patient and provider scheduling system.
• Respond to medical emergency situations consistent with established guidelines.
• Expose and process dental radiographs as required.
• Take patients' blood pressure and accurately record in patients' dental records.
• Clean, sterilize and process instruments consistent with established guidelines.
• Maintain a clean, orderly, well-organized and supplied work environment.
• Assure proper functioning of equipment through preventive maintenance procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the office manager or supervisory personnel.
• Act in conformance with established program policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols.
• Perform functions provided that the dentist is on the premises and checks the patient before and after the functions are performed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Ambulatory Health Care Services
• Education Level: High school or GED