Dental Assistant

NE•Columbus, NE

15d

About The Position

The Dental Assistant provides chairside assistance during operative and other dental treatment procedures and performs office and clerical tasks related to patient records, appointments, and fees. The role prepares dental instruments and materials and assists with dental services such as four-handed dentistry, impressions, radiographs, rubber dam placement, patient management, and other dental techniques. The Dental Assistant supports other clinical team members and provides minor administrative and business support as directed by a Dentist or Hygienist. Duties include documenting charts, copying and filing, updating pre-authorizations and treatment plans, and completing other administrative projects. The role helps improve dentist efficiency through tasks such as impressions, X-rays, coronal polishing, and four-handed dentistry. Required approved training applies to coronal polishing and dental X-rays. The Dental Assistant also maintains clinic flow by sterilizing and turning over rooms, stocking and cleaning, and putting materials away; provides caller information as directed; and explains procedures, treatment plans, costs, post-operative care appointments, and hygiene instructions. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
BLS certification or ability to earn certification within three months.
Ability to communicate effectively and articulate both orally and in writing.
Ability to organize tasks, establish priorities, and meet established deadlines.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
Ability to work well with individuals from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
To perform coronal polishing, completion of an approved course is required. The course must be part of an accredited dental assisting training program or offered at a program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, led by an instructor qualified by education and experience, and include at least 14 contact hours: 10 hours of didactic instruction and 4 hours of clinical participation.
To take X-rays, completion of an approved course is required. The course must be part of an accredited dental assisting training program or offered at a program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, led by an instructor qualified by education and experience, and include no less than 16 hours of classroom instruction on dental X-rays.

Nice To Haves

Graduate of an accredited dental assisting program.
Bilingual Spanish-speaking.

Responsibilities

Provide chairside assistance during operative and dental treatment procedures.
Prepare dental instruments and materials needed for patient treatment.
Assist with four-handed dentistry, impressions, radiographs, rubber dam placement, patient management, and other dental techniques.
Provide clinical support and relief to other dental team members, as directed by a Dentist or Hygienist.
Document charts at the request of a Dentist or Hygienist.
Copy and file records, update pre-authorizations and treatment plans, and perform other administrative support projects.
Perform tasks that improve dentist efficiency, including impressions, X-rays, and coronal polishing, where appropriately trained.
Maintain clinic flow by sterilizing, turning over rooms, stocking, cleaning, and putting materials away.
Provide callers with information regarding patient care as directed by a Dentist or Hygienist.
Explain procedures, treatment plans, costs, post-operative care appointments, and hygiene instructions.
Perform other duties as assigned.