UNIV - Dental Assistant III, Periodontics - College of Dental Medicine

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

15d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the clinic manager/supervisor and direction of the College of Dental Medicine providers, this position provides clinical assistance and support to specialty resident providers in all aspects of patient care within the CDM clinics. This role performs surgical chairside assisting for advanced specialty care procedures and technical support to postgraduate dental residents daily, generally requiring IV sedation and/or nitrous oxide. It involves preparing patients with necessary monitors for surgery, assisting with blood draws for platelet-rich fibrin using sterile technique, and educating/mentoring periodontal residents in the fundamentals of four-handed dentistry, clinical protocols, and surgical equipment use. The position requires a thorough knowledge of dental instruments, equipment, procedures, and terminology to provide directive and assistance under surgical setups including bone grafting, sinus lifts, ridge augmentation, grafting at the time of dental extractions, soft tissue grafting, and implant placement. Additionally, the role is responsible for setting up and breaking down operatories, maintaining and sterilizing instruments and equipment, ensuring a safe and clean working environment by complying with OSHA standards, acquiring radiographs while adhering to safety standards, communicating with supply ordering staff to manage inventory, and assisting with patient care including transport, maintaining confidentiality, and reviewing post-operative care instructions.

Requirements

A high school diploma, completion of formal training in an ADA accredited dental assisting course and one year of dental assisting experience OR a high school diploma and three continuous years of dental assisting experience.
Certification in Radiation Safety required for positions responsible for dental x-rays.
Computer literacy.
Ability to work rotating shifts.
Ability to work overtime as required.
Ability to learn and use new processes, tools, equipment as required.

Responsibilities

Performs surgical chairside assisting for advanced specialty care procedures and technical support to postgraduate dental residents daily, generally requiring IV sedation and/or nitrous oxide.
Prepares patient with all monitors necessary for surgery: CO2, oxygen, pulse oximeter, ECG electrodes, and blood pressure.
Assists resident with the draw of blood for the use of platelet-rich fibrin using sterile technique.
Educates and mentors periodontal residents in the fundamentals of four handed dentistry, clinical protocols and use of surgical equipment.
Provides directive and assistance under the surgical setup including, but not limited to bone grafting for necessary procedures, internal/external sinus lift, ridge augmentation, grafting at the time of dental extractions, soft tissue grafting, placement of implants and the different systems used.
Responsible for setting up operatory for surgical procedures.
Maintains a high level of knowledge of all clinical procedures and instrumentation to ensure rooms are set up accurately.
Breaks down and cleans operatory after procedures are complete.
Maintains and sterilizes all dental specialty instruments and equipment.
Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with OSHA's procedures, rules and regulations.
Acquires all necessary radiographs) while adhering to all x-ray safety standards.
Communicates with assistant responsible for ordering clinic supplies to determine inventory level and anticipated need for supplies.
Ensures instruments and supplies are maintained and stocked in dental operatories and other areas of the clinic.
Assists with all areas of patient care including transport/assistance to and from the waiting area.
Maintains patient confidence and privacy by keeping information confidential.
Reviews overview of post-operative care with patients before their departure.