Dental Assistant - North Lakeland

Coast Dental•Lakeland, FL

About The Position

The Dental Assistant supports the dentist in providing dental treatment, patient care, and education. The role requires strong knowledge of clinical needs and working knowledge of back-office dental procedures and dental 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 records and documentation, appointment scheduling and follow-up, patient education, treatment-plan communication, insurance and financial-option explanations, operatory preparation, equipment maintenance, laboratory duties, and emergency response. The position also requires compliance with administrative procedures, OSHA and infection-control requirements, HIPAA, confidentiality, uniform and hygiene standards, production standards, and ongoing training.

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 prior to May 2009, according 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.
Strong knowledge of clinical needs and working knowledge of back-office dental procedures and dental administrative functions.
Excellent customer-service and verbal-communication skills.
Ability to work in a high-volume environment.
Obtain an Expanded Duties Certificate and/or Radiography Certification upon hire or within 90 days after hire.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of one year of dental experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Understand which duties and functions may be delegated to a dental assistant.
Assist with clinical procedures and treatments.
Learn and comply with Coast’s administrative procedures and OSHA laws and safety guidelines.
Maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Follow state and federal dental-office infection-control standards, including use of protective barriers, instrument and treatment-area disinfection and sterilization, and proper disposal of contaminated or bio-hazardous waste.
Ensure that patient documentation is reviewed and completed, including current medical histories, medical alerts, and signed consent forms.
Document and chart dental procedures performed during each patient visit according to dentist 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 support patient 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 necessary.
Follow equipment protocols, including cleaning evacuation systems, lubricating and maintaining dental hand pieces, cleaning and maintaining radiograph processors, monitoring and cleaning equipment, cleaning dental lab plaster traps, and maintaining a clean office environment.
Notify the Office Manager of equipment failures or general safety concerns.
Assist with laboratory duties as necessary.
Recognize signs of dental emergencies and ensure proper, timely response and notification to patients, staff, and emergency medical personnel when necessary.
Understand and meet production standards.
Use and maintain 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-attire 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.