Dental Assistant (Full Time, Days)

Nicklaus Children's Hospital•Miami, FL

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Assistant provides friendly interaction and communication to patients and families, ensuring access to care. Working under the direct supervision of a Dentist, this role involves providing care to pediatric patients undergoing dental treatment, including prophylaxis (supra-gingival) cleaning. Key responsibilities include preparing for procedures, supplying instruments during treatment, and post-procedure clean-up. The assistant is also responsible for performing expanded duty functions as permitted by the Florida Board of Dentistry.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of Dental Assisting or Expanded Duties Certified (EFDA)
Expanded Duties Certification required within 12 months of hire
American Heart Association AED - Must maintain active and in good standing throughout employment.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
Ability to demonstrate evidence of clinical expertise.
High quality skills as an expanded duties assistant.
Able to relate cooperatively and constructively with patients, families, and co-workers.
Ability to problem solve to adapt standard clinical procedures to the individual client's need.
Ability to interpret, adapt, and react calmly under stressful conditions.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience as a Dental Assistant highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Applies knowledge of growth and development in patient interactions and treatment.
Provides expertise with appropriate approaches to small children, children with autism, children confined to wheelchairs, and children with developmental delay.
Ensures patient safety with papoose (when necessary) for patients unable to sit for procedures unassisted.
Assures clinic operatory supply levels are par and ensures appropriate staff are notified when master inventory levels drop to re-order status.
Checks all equipment for proper function and cleanliness.
Notifies designated employee of any equipment not operating properly and needing repair.
Executes clear & concise education information for parents/patients.
Provides parents with post- treatment, sedation & OR verbal instructions as well as written information when indicated.
Maintains and sterilizes dental instruments.
Provides for patient safety, greets parents, and assists patients to operatory checking with parent, reading armband to identify scheduled patient before beginning any procedure.
Reviews, maintains, and documents patient information in the computer thoroughly, accurately, and in a timely manner.
Obtains consent from parents.
Takes x-rays to assure the highest degree of diagnostic information with the least amount of exposure.
Follows hospital and departmental infection control policies.
Works directly with the Pediatric Dental Attending, Residents, and other specialists in the dental clinic and operating room.
Performs designated expanded duty functions permitted by the Florida Board of Dentistry.
Provides assistance with behavior and monitors patient with nitrous oxide and never leaves them unattended.