Registered Dental Assistant
About The Position
The Registered Dental Assistant prepares patients for treatment and assists the dentist with restorative dentistry and oral surgery. The role prepares treatment materials, equipment, trays, and instruments; takes X-rays; and assists with laboratory work. Other related tasks may include making appointments, answering phones, ordering supplies, and dental billing. The assistant supports patients throughout dental visits, provides oral-hygiene instruction, maintains infection-control standards, reviews health histories, and completes chart entries and forms under the operator’s direction. The role also maintains operatory supplies, supports equipment preventive maintenance, serves as a liaison with purchasing and vendors, and may assist with front-office procedures when needed. The position may include specified delegated dental procedures, such as coronal polishing, placement of bases and liners, temporary crown and orthodontic-band procedures, placement of orthodontic separators and arch wires, and other procedures listed in the job posting. The assistant must maintain HIPAA confidentiality, comply with applicable regulations, participate in quality assurance and improvement activities, learn and use the electronic health record and practice electronic system, and participate in Omni Family Health’s Patient Centered Health Home Model.
Requirements
- High school graduate or GED.
- Proof of completing a radiation safety course.
- One year of experience as a dental assistant.
- Certification as a Registered Dental Assistant.
- Certificates for coronal polishing and sealants.
- Current and valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Knowledge of dental health education subjects.
- Ability to communicate in English and Spanish.
- Friendly personality and desire to work with the public.
- Ability and willingness to treat all patients with kindness and consideration, including in trying situations.
- Ability to handle multiple functions and complete tasks in an orderly and accurate manner.
- Understanding of community-based organizations and willingness to participate in community events such as health fairs.
- Support for and belief in the OFH mission statement.
- Ability to relate to the public regardless of ethnic, religious, or economic status.
- Willingness to work at any Omni Family Health location other than the assigned site and to work weekends if needed.
- Sound judgment, a calm disposition, and ability to work easily with people.
Responsibilities
- Greet patients in the waiting area and escort them to the operatory.
- Assist the dentist at chairside with treatment as required or directed.
- Promote dental and general health, assess patients’ home-care status, and provide oral-hygiene instruction on flossing and brushing according to protocol.
- Maintain a sterile, neat working environment in accordance with current infection-control procedures.
- Review health histories, make chart entries under the operator’s direction, and ensure forms and signatures are complete.
- Assume responsibility for expanded duties delegated by the dentist.
- Explain aspects of the dental visit to patients and provide support and compassion when needed.
- Stock operatories and maintain clinical supply inventory.
- Review the daily schedule and prepare appropriate trays and instruments.
- Assist with front-office procedures when time allows or when requested by the Chief Dental Officer or dentist.
- Supervise preventive maintenance of dental equipment.
- Serve as supply liaison and communicate with the purchasing department and vendors to support prompt receipt of orders.
- Perform delegated procedures that may include obtaining endodontic cultures; drying previously opened canals with absorbent points; testing pulp vitality; placing bases and liners on sound dentin; removing excess supragingival cement; sizing stainless steel crowns, temporary crowns, and bands; temporary cementation and removal of temporary crowns; removing orthodontic bands; placing orthodontic separators and ligating arch wires; placing post-extraction and periodontal dressings; taking bite registrations for diagnostic models for case study only; and coronal polishing.
- Maintain awareness of and comply with HIPAA requirements, keeping member information confidential.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
- Participate in QA/QI activities and contribute to organizational performance improvement.
- Learn and use the Electronic Health Record and Practice Electronic System and its components as required by job functions and policies and procedures.
- Participate in Omni Family Health’s Patient Centered Health Home Model.
- Participate in community events such as health fairs, as applicable.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
