Dental Assistant

Rael Bernstein D D S PC•Watsonville, CA

21d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role involves assisting in the delivery of quality clinical dentistry, becoming proficient in assigned clinical and technical procedures, and supporting the dentist smoothly and unobtrusively. The assistant prepares the patient, operatory, and equipment for examinations and treatment, while maintaining awareness of patient comfort and safety. Responsibilities include maintaining equipment and inventory, and adhering to OSHA and health regulations. Travel to all responsible region locations is required. The role also involves patient management, including positive interaction, escorting patients, discussing treatment needs and progress, providing instructions, answering questions, and performing patient care calls. Clinical duties include assisting the orthodontist, understanding dental terminology, evaluating patient oral hygiene, taking impressions, preparing teeth for bonding, and removing/sizing/placing arch wires within certification limits. The position requires working in a fast-paced environment, multitasking, and learning quickly. Record management involves electronic charting, ensuring chart completeness, and taking patient records (photos, pano, ceph). Handling patient information must comply with HIPAA. Communication involves maintaining confidentiality and open communication with doctors, patients, front desk, and office manager. Inventory and maintenance include cleaning/sanitizing instruments, keeping dental units stocked and clean, monitoring inventory, and maintaining a welcoming office environment. Sales and marketing involve assisting with initiatives, staffing marketing events, and representing the company in the community. Office participation includes active involvement in team meetings, trainings, and team-building events, adhering to team principles, and performing other assigned tasks.

Requirements

Must have X-ray license.
Must have Infection Control certificate.
Must have Dental Practice Act.
Must be CPR certified.
May be required to lift up to 40 pounds.
Active movement throughout the day: sitting, walking, standing, squatting, bending, stooping, reaching, etc. (not a sedentary position.)
Vision: close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Hearing: able to satisfactory communicate with patients, doctor, and other staff members to ensure verbal communication is clearly under satisfactory - equivalent method of communication.
Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or operate equipment.
May be required to administer CPR.
Occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and radiation.

Responsibilities

Assist in the performance of quality, caring clinical dentistry.
Become adept at assigned clinical and technical procedures.
Aid the doctor smoothly and unobtrusively.
Perform clinical and technical procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
Prepare the patient, operatory and equipment to assist the doctor during examinations and treatment.
Maintain awareness of comfort and safety needs of patients.
Maintain equipment and inventory.
Adhere to all required OSHA and health regulations.
Travel to all responsible region locations.
Interact in a positive manner with patients at all times.
Show care and concern, and help patients feel comfortable.
Maintain a pleasant, caring, people-oriented team attitude at all times.
Escort patients to and from treatment room/chair.
Review with patient, or parent, areas where improvement is needed and give progress updates regarding treatment.
Give patient instructions and demonstrate when necessary.
Ensure patients’ questions are answered thoroughly before they leave.
Perform patient care calls.
Assist the orthodontist in the delivery of patient care.
Understand basic dental terminology and learn practice specific terms.
Evaluate patient oral hygiene and cooperation at appointments.
Take impressions for study molds and appliances.
Follow laboratory and sterilization procedures according to office protocol.
Prepare teeth for bonding and assist doctor with bonding.
Remove, size, and place arch wires to extent allowed by certifications.
Work in a fast pace environment, while multi-tasking and learning quickly.
Perform Electronic patient charting in Orthodontic software and ensure patient charts are complete and include necessary forms before performing treatment.
Take patients records (photos, pano, ceph).
Handle patient information in compliance with legal requirements, including HIPPA regulations.
Maintain Confidentiality of business and client information.
Maintain open communication with the Doctors), patients, Front Desk, and Office Manager.
Clean / Sanitize instruments without cross contamination.
Keep dental units ready, stocked and clean.
Monitor inventory and alert the office manager to order supplies as needed.
Maintain a welcoming an attractive office environment.
Assist the marketing team in both internal and external marketing initiatives.
Staff a minimum of two marketing events per quarter.
Represent the company throughout the community.
Be an active participant in team meetings, trainings, team building events, etc.
Agree to, and work by, the team principles outlined in your training packet.
Perform other tasks as assigned by management and the doctor.