Dental Assistant - Palm Coast

Coast Dental•Palm Coast, FL

About The Position

The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in providing dental treatment, care, and education to patients. The role requires strong knowledge of clinical needs and working knowledge of back-office dental procedures and dental administrative functions. An Expanded Duties Certificate and/or Radiography Certification must be held upon hire or obtained within 90 days after hire. The Dental Assistant supports clinical procedures, patient documentation and education, appointment scheduling, treatment-plan communication, insurance and financial explanations, operatory readiness, equipment maintenance, laboratory duties, and patient follow-up. The role also requires compliance with administrative procedures, OSHA and infection-control requirements, HIPAA, confidentiality, and professional workplace standards.

Requirements

Active Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) certification; alternatively, for assisting in Florida, a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license or a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certificate obtained before May 2009, in accordance with state guidelines and limitations.
Radiography licensure.
Retain the applicable license or certification (Registered, CDA, or EFDA) and demonstrate proficiency in expanded dental-assistant functions within state guidelines and limitations.
Expanded Duties Certificate and/or Radiography Certification upon hire or within 90 days after hire.
Excellent customer-service and verbal-communication skills.
Ability to work in a high-volume environment.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of one year of dental experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Understand which duties and functions may be delegated to a dental assistant.
Assist with clinical procedures and treatments.
Learn and comply with the company’s administrative procedures.
Follow OSHA laws and safety guidelines, and maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Follow state and federal infection-control standards, including use of protective barriers, instrument and treatment-area disinfection and sterilization, and proper disposal of contaminated or biohazardous materials.
Ensure required documentation is reviewed and completed, including current medical history, medical alerts, and signed consent forms.
Document and chart dental procedures performed during each patient visit according to the dentist’s instructions and legal requirements.
Welcome and escort patients between reception and treatment areas; schedule appointments and assist with appointment-confirmation calls.
Provide dental education and information to promote patient awareness of dental health and continuing treatment.
Present treatment plans and proposed continuing treatment professionally and confidentially.
Explain insurance benefits and financial options to patients in nonclinical terms.
Ensure operatories are equipped and stocked, and reorder inventory when necessary.
Follow equipment protocols, including cleaning evacuation systems, lubricating and maintaining dental handpieces, cleaning and maintaining radiograph processors, monitoring and cleaning equipment, cleaning dental-lab plaster traps, and maintaining a clean office environment.
Notify the Office Manager about equipment failure or general safety concerns.
Assist with laboratory duties as needed.
Recognize signs of dental emergencies and ensure a proper and timely response, including notifying patients, staff, and emergency medical personnel when necessary.
Understand and maintain production standards.
Use and maintain a system for patient follow-up and re-care.
Maintain a professional working environment within the office team.
Attend and participate in morning huddles and regular office meetings.
Follow company uniform and personal-hygiene standards.
Attend continuing-education and training seminars as scheduled.
Follow HIPAA regulations and maintain confidentiality.
Perform other assigned duties and responsibilities.