Dental Assistant - St. Petersburg

Coast Dental•St. Petersburg, FL

About The Position

The Dental Assistant supports the dentist in providing patient treatment, care, and education. The role requires strong knowledge of clinical needs and working knowledge of dental back-office procedures and administrative functions. An Expanded Duties Certificate and/or Radiography Certification must be held upon hire or obtained within 90 days after hire. The Dental Assistant assists with clinical procedures, patient documentation and education, appointment scheduling and follow-up, treatment-plan communication, insurance and financial-option explanations, operatory readiness, equipment maintenance, laboratory duties, and emergency response. The role also requires compliance with company procedures, OSHA and infection-control standards, HIPAA, state and federal requirements, and professional workplace and uniform standards. The assistant is expected to maintain production standards, attend meetings and scheduled training, and perform other assigned duties.

Requirements

Active Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) certification, or, when assisting in Florida, a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license or Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certificate obtained before May 2009, subject to state guidelines and limitations.
Radiography licensure.
Retain a Registered, CDA, or EFDA license and demonstrate proficiency in expanded dental-assistant functions according to state guidelines and limitations.
An Expanded Duties Certificate and/or Radiography Certification upon hire or within 90 days after hire.
Excellent customer-service and verbal-communication skills.
Ability to work in a high-volume environment.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of dental experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist the dentist with clinical procedures and treatments.
Understand which duties and functions may be delegated to a dental assistant.
Learn and comply with company administrative procedures and OSHA laws and safety guidelines.
Maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Follow state and federal infection-control standards, including use of protective barriers, instrument and treatment-area disinfection and sterilization, and proper disposal of contaminated or biohazardous materials.
Review and complete patient documentation, including medical histories, medical alerts, and signed consent forms.
Document and chart dental procedures performed during each patient visit according to the dentist’s instructions and legal requirements.
Welcome and escort patients between reception and treatment areas, schedule appointments, and assist with appointment-confirmation calls.
Provide dental-health education and information to patients to support awareness and continuing treatment.
Present treatment plans and proposed continuing treatments to patients professionally and confidentially.
Explain insurance benefits and financial options to patients in nonclinical terms.
Ensure operatories are equipped and stocked, and reorder inventory when needed.
Follow equipment protocols, including cleaning the evacuation system, lubricating and maintaining handpieces, maintaining radiograph processors, monitoring and cleaning equipment, cleaning laboratory plaster traps, and maintaining a clean office.
Notify the Office Manager of equipment failures or general safety concerns.
Assist with laboratory duties as needed.
Recognize dental emergencies and ensure timely response and notification to patients, staff, and emergency medical personnel when necessary.
Maintain production standards and use a system for patient follow-up and re-care.
Maintain a professional working environment within the office team.
Attend and participate in morning huddles and regular office meetings.
Follow company uniform and personal-hygiene standards.
Attend continuing-education and training seminars as scheduled.
Comply with HIPAA regulations and maintain confidentiality.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.