Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA)

Public Health Management Corporation•Philadelphia, PA

19h

About The Position

Under the supervision of a Dentist, the Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) supports the Dentist in providing high-quality care within the EFDA scope of service and accepted standards of care. The EFDA reports to the Dental Office Manager and provides hands-on dental care in a variety of settings, serving pediatric, adult, geriatric, and other patient populations. The role includes preparing patients, operatories, instruments, supplies, and dental materials; taking radiographs and assisting with charting; providing chairside assistance and restorative procedures; carrying out preventive and laboratory tasks; and maintaining infection control, sterilization, inventory, and patient flow. The EFDA also tracks laboratory cases and invoices and performs other duties within the dental program as assigned. The position requires compliance with PHMC policies and applicable federal, state, public health, accreditation, confidentiality, and infection-control requirements. The work involves substantial standing and walking, patient assistance, exposure to blood or blood-borne pathogens and potentially hazardous materials, and following safety precautions that may include protective equipment.

Requirements

Current CPR/AED certification.
Graduate of an EFDA assisting program at a two-year college or completion of a state-accredited EFDA certification program.
National DANB Radiation and Safety exam Certificate of Completion.
State Board of Dentistry EFDA exam certification.
Ability to maintain quality, safety, and infection-control standards.
Knowledge of dental terminology and dental science.
Knowledge of the community-based dental environment and ethical and legal standards for dental care.
Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.
Ability to work independently and in tandem with a dentist.
Ability to prepare dental equipment and instrumentation according to established regulations and guidelines.
Ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative team environment.
Ability to respond constructively to pressure and time limits.
Commitment to personal and departmental performance excellence.
Ability to adhere to office dress code and standards of behavior and maintain patient confidentiality.
Ability to maintain and expand dental assistant skills and knowledge through periodic continuing education.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including standing, walking, handling instruments, patient assistance, and lifting up to 10 pounds for up to one-third of the time.
Ability to follow extensive safety precautions and complete OSHA training as required for work with blood or blood-borne pathogens.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Spanish-speaking ability preferred.
A minimum of two years as a dental assistant is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide hands-on dental care in a variety of settings while supporting appropriate, high-quality, efficient, accessible, and responsive care.
Prepare and maintain dental instruments, supplies, and equipment, and prepare the operatory for patient visits.
Seat patients, explain procedures, collect and record health histories, drape patients, and set up instrument trays.
Prepare dental materials, including cements, amalgams, composites, and impression materials.
Take conventional or digital radiographs while following radiation safety precautions.
Assist with dental charting and with the prevention and management of dental emergencies.
Manage patients during dental procedures and provide active chairside assistance, including instrument transfers for four-handed dentistry.
Place and contour amalgam and other restorative materials; perform coronal polishing and fluoride treatments, including fluoride varnish.
Take impressions for study casts, athletic mouth guards, and custom trays.
Perform laboratory procedures, including pouring and trimming models, polishing dental prosthetics, and making vacuum-press forms.
Follow infection-control protocols after procedures and prepare operatories for the next patient.
Help manage the dental office infection-control plan and meet regulatory requirements.
Monitor and document laboratory case flow and maintain the laboratory facility.
Perform, monitor, and record sterilization activities; maintain aseptic techniques and properly sterilize instruments.
Routinely clean, disinfect, and restock operatories and help manage patient flow.
Maintain supply inventory and reorder supplies as necessary; track and verify invoices.
Perform other duties within the dental program as assigned.
Understand and follow PHMC compliance standards, policies, and applicable federal, state, public health, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.
Comply with HIPAA and confidentiality policies and procedures.
Follow infection-control and environment-of-care guidelines and procedures.