Dental Assistant

Ocean Health Initiatives•Lakewood, NJ

About The Position

The Dental Assistant assists the Dentist in providing direct primary care dental services to patients at the center. Reporting to the RN/DON, the role also involves sterilizing, preparing, and managing inventory of dental instruments and supplies. The candidate must be able to commit to four 10-hour shifts and commute to the Little Egg Harbor site, with occasional travel to the Lakewood site.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited dental assistant program.
Basic Life Support for providers through the American Heart Association is required.
An active New Jersey Radiological Technology License is required.
Complete Certified Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Technician certification within six months of hire.
Commit to four 10-hour shifts and commute to the Little Egg Harbor site, with occasional travel to the Lakewood site.
Proficiency in Electronic Medical Records.

Nice To Haves

One to two years of dental experience in a healthcare setting is preferred.
Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

Work under the supervision of the Dentist.
Assist patients with minor difficulties, answer questions, and provide directions as authorized by the Dentist.
Assist the Dentist with chairside procedures routinely performed in a general dental practice.
Prepare the operatory for patient treatment according to Dental Department protocols and the Dentist’s directions.
Expose and electronically process digital images, and evaluate images for diagnostic quality in accordance with state regulations, laws, and Dental Department directives and protocols.
Perform independent procedures delegated and directed by the Dentist in accordance with state regulations, laws, and Dental Department directives and protocols.
Sterilize instruments used for dental procedures by washing them, placing them in the ultrasonic cleaner for the required time, drying and bagging them, and autoclaving them; then inventory and store them properly.
Maintain Dental Department areas in compliance with department directives and protocols and center policies and procedures related to infection control, exposure control, and safety.
Maintain adequate operatory supplies and compile lists of shortages for inventory control and ordering.
Use Electronic Medical Records proficiently.
Prepare and set up the instruments, materials, and equipment needed for each procedure.
Maintain unit logs and compile laboratory data.
Participate in safety programs, which may include assignment to an Emergency Response Team.