Dental Assistant (Temp)

Family HealthCare Network • Fresno, CA

100d • $21 - $28

About The Position

The Dental Assistant is responsible for preparing the patient for dental treatment and assisting the dentist with various clinical dental procedures. This role involves supporting and monitoring patient flow in the back office, ensuring that all necessary information and lab cases are ready for patient visits, and assisting in the distribution of patients among dental providers. The Dental Assistant also plays a crucial role in keeping patients informed about wait times and ensuring a smooth flow within the system.

Requirements

• Completion of high school or equivalent education.
• Proof of completing a Radiation Safety Course.
• Dental Assistant certification required.
• Valid CA driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for document preparation and data management.

Responsibilities

• Support and monitor patient flow in the back office.
• Scrub appointments in advance to ensure proper lab cases, finances, and information is available for the patient visit.
• Assist in the distribution of patients among dental providers, including walk-ins.
• Keep patients informed of wait times and ensure proper flow in the system.
• Understand general front office workflows and support the front office when needed, including scheduling patient appointments.
• Perform various initial aspects of the patient visit, including greeting patients and escorting them to the operatory.
• Obtain vital signs and patient data.
• Review health records with patients and update clinical information such as medications, allergies, and medical histories.
• Document in the patient’s electronic health record according to policy and training.
• Ensure completion of consent forms and signatures.
• Operate dental radiographic equipment for oral radiography.
• Disinfect and prepare the operatory, setting up trays and dental armamentarium for treatment.
• Perform supportive dental procedures under the general supervision of a dentist.
• Sterilize instruments under infection control protocol.
• Assist the dentist during various dental treatment procedures including charting, restorative, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, and pedodontics.
• Ensure patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatment.
• Provide patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures.
• Provide oral health education and oral hygiene instruction as needed.
• Explain dental treatment or procedures to patients when questions arise.
• Take impressions for diagnostic models, bleaching trays, temporary crowns and bridges, and sports guards with proper pour-ups.
• Apply non-aerosol and non-caustic topical agents.
• Remove post-extraction and periodontal dressings.
• Apply topical fluoride after scaling and polishing by the dentist/RDA.
• Place and remove rubber dams, wedges, and matrices.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required for quality of care.
• Communicate with patients and suppliers regarding scheduling appointments, ordering supplies, and coordinating equipment repairs.
• Prepare and stock dental operatories and monitor adequate supplies in stock.
• Discard biohazard waste and sharps responsibly.
• Accountable for weekly testing and cleaning of sterilization equipment.
• Responsible for daily and weekly cleaning of water lines in the dental operatory units.
• Maintain accurate and timely logs.
• Assist in other operatories or in the front office if time allows or need is determined by the supervisor.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees