Dental Assistant

Mednorth Health Center•Wilmington, NC

44d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Dental Manager, the Dental Assistant works as part of the Dental Team performing those duties necessary to provide assistance to the dental staff. The Dental Assistant is responsible for preparing patients for treatment, processing dental x-ray film, pours dental impressions, setting up instruments and dental materials, sterilizing instruments after patient treatment, and charts dental anomalies, ordering and stocking supplies. The Dental Assistant II must understand medical and dental terminology and possess accurate keyboarding skills. The employee must have the ability to use standard office equipment: including computers, photocopiers and facsimile machines. Must possess the ability to learn, understand and use internet insurance eligibility systems. The Dental Assistant II must be able to operate X-ray and dental laboratory equipment. The employee must possess the ability to use a MediaDent Software. The Dental Assistant II possesses excellent telephone etiquette, interpersonal and customer service skills. Teamwork and communication skills are essential. The employee must treat all patients, co-workers, and managers with courtesy and respect. The Dental Assistant II possesses cognitive reasoning -- Clear thinking in high-pressure situations -- Ability to prioritize and withstand pressure of continual work with variable requirements -- Ability to concentrate and maintain accuracy despite frequent interruptions -- Critical thinking and organization skills, problem solving, and reasoning capabilities. Ability to speak English fluently. Spanish speaking or another language is a plus.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent
Certification from a Dental Assistant II program
Must be Radiology Certified
Minimum two years health care related experience
Possess accurate keyboarding skills
Ability to use standard office equipment: including computers, photocopiers and facsimile machines
Ability to learn, understand and use internet insurance eligibility systems
Ability to operate X-ray and dental laboratory equipment
Ability to use a MediaDent Software
Excellent telephone etiquette, interpersonal and customer service skills
Teamwork and communication skills are essential
Treat all patients, co-workers, and managers with courtesy and respect
Cognitive reasoning -- Clear thinking in high-pressure situations
Ability to prioritize and withstand pressure of continual work with variable requirements
Ability to concentrate and maintain accuracy despite frequent interruptions
Critical thinking and organization skills, problem solving, and reasoning capabilities
Ability to speak English fluently
Certifications from an accredited Dental Assistant II program
Must be radiology certified
Attend work on a daily basis and be at work on time.
Be a team player.
Report absences in accordance with personnel policies and procedures.
Work is expected to be accurate, neat, and thorough, and completed on time.
Have a positive attitude, be cooperative, and considerate of others.
Be dependable and accept responsibility for assignments and duties given.
Dress and act in a professional manner and adhere to all safety standards.
Participate in staff meetings, be courteous and polite with patients and other staff.
Maintain confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

Spanish speaking or another language is a plus

Responsibilities

Conducts job duties in a professional and caring manner creating a positive patient oriented service atmosphere.
Exhibits awareness of cultural and socioeconomic differences and demonstrates ability in reducing barriers to the provisions of dental care.
Assists dentists and dental hygienist in chair-side procedures to include amalgams, composites, oral surgery, endodontics, prophylaxis, sealants, space maintainers, removable prosthodontics, extractions, charting, checking blood pressure, providing patient instructions and informed consent information.
Prepares and sets up instruments and dates all sterilized instruments and places them in the rooms.
Responsible, along with the dental hygienist, for the daily, weekly and monthly maintenance and monitoring of equipment such as the compressor, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers and evacuator systems.
Assist the dentist with whatever procedures he/she requests.
Follow all OSHA standards and institutional policies as stated in the Regulatory Compliance Manual and MedNorth health Center Policies and Procedures Manual by maintaining all dental MSDS information, updating dental infection control protocol annually, and assisting in developing yearly OSHA review for dental staff.
Clean rooms after each patient by wiping chairs, sterilizing instruments, counters, etc., spraying and disinfecting the room, re-bagging the room, setting up for next patient, Vacusoling each room at the end of the day, and keeping all rooms organized.
Protects the confidentiality of patients and their records at all times by complying with patient confidentiality policies.
Addresses patient complaints and directs them through the proper channels.
Assists dentist and hygienist with all oral health education programs.
Completes and maintains all dental lab slips for a minimum of two years.
Notifies the patient when an appliance is ready.
Pours and disinfects dental impressions.
Assists in the ordering and maintenance of dental supplies by restocking rooms prior to ordering and putting up ordered supplies.
Provides radiology services by exposing and processing dental radiographies as ordered by the dentist, maintaining and updating the Radiation Safety Program annually, and maintaining and monitoring all dosimeter badges.
When directed by the dentist, assists with administrative tasks such as taking telephone messages, pulling charts, scheduling appointments, etc.
Utilizes slow time constructively to enhance clinical operations, assists other staff/departments when time and workload permits.
Perform all duties as permitted by the Dental Laws of North Carolina and Board Rules handbook section. 0203. Permitted Functions of Dental Assistant II.
Other duties as assigned.
It is an essential job element that everyone be compliant with the full law and fully cooperates with the compliance program without fear of retaliations from the organization.