Dental Assistant

Summary of Position

The Dental Assistant is responsible for preparing the patient for the treatment, assisting the dentist in performing treatment, preparing materials and equipment for treating patients, taking x-rays and assisting the dentist with laboratory work. This position may also perform other related work to include, but not limited to, making appointments, answer the phone, ordering supplies and doing the dental billing. The dental office is in Ann Arbor.

Essential Functions

• Patient Management
  • Greet patients when they sign in and monitor arrival time
  • Set up treatment rooms for procedures planned for the patient
  • Escort and seat patients in treatment rooms, make sure patients are comfortable
  • Engage them in small talk to get them to relax and assess their anxiety levels
  • Obtain and review health histories every appointment, update health history every year
  • Taking blood pressure and pulse when necessary
  • Ensure patients are always attended
  • Anticipate dentist's needs and assist
  • Perform expanded functions and other tasks as assigned by Dr Bhakta
  • Mix dental materials as required for the procedure
  • Take notes as Dr Bhakta is dictating them
  • Ensure proper treatment notes are recorded in the patient's chart
  • Perform clinical procedure as practice act allows and as directed by Dr Bhakta
  • Take X-rays as directed by Dr Bhakta
  • Give patient instructions and demonstrate when necessary ( oral hygiene, post-op instructions etc)
  • Monitor patient flow
  • Follow up with the patient in a timely manner following difficult appointment and inform Dr Bhakta
• Treatment Room Management and Sterilization
  • Keep dental units ready, stocked and clean & oversee cleanliness of the treatment room
  • Disinfect treatment rooms according to OSHA regulations
  • Sterilize all instruments and hand pieces according to OSHA regulations
  • Promptly send out and monitor all dental laboratory cases
  • Implement the preventive maintenance/ cleaning schedule for dental equipment (changing traps, cleaning autoclave, cleaning x-ray rollers etc)
  • Maintain dental office emergency kits and nitrous and oxygen tanks
  • Make sure lab cases are in prior to confirming patient appointments
• Records Management
  • Securely store and handle patient records in compliance with state and federal requirements, including the HIPPA privacy and security regulations
  • Accurately file patient paperwork and collected data
  • Arrange patient charts and radiographs for next day's appointments
  • Track cases and referrals to and from other dentists, specialists and physicians
  • Assist in the administration of the recall system
• Inventory Management
  • Monitor inventory and order dental supplies as needed
  • Ensure that treatment rooms are stocked at all times
• House Keeping
  • Vacuum the office daily
  • Recycling (as needed)
  • Taking trash out to the dumpster (daily)

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Help in other areas of the office when necessary (answering phones, unpacking supplies, moving patient records, creating hygiene bags etc)
• Other duties as directed by Dr Bhakta

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Graduate of accredited dental assisting program or dental assisting experience preferred
• Compliance with state dental practice requirements ( X-rays, OSHA, HIPPA , CPR , Hepatitis B vaccination)
• Legible handwriting for notation in patient charts
• Demonstrated computer skills for paperless office and scheduling
• Commitment to CE for career development
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills to maintain effective rapport with patients, dentists, other staff members and community
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Current CPR certification
• Willingness and ability to carry up to 20 lbs of packages, water bottles, supplies etc

Level of Procedures, precedents, or instructions established for this position:

Level of Direct Supervision provided to this position

Level of Supervisor Responsibility Assigned to this position

Approximate number of employees responsible for: 0

Working Conditions Applicable to this Position

Working in a dental office environment with florescent lighting with extensive time working with patients in an operatory

Physical Effort Expected in this position (Check & Explain)

Moderate physical effort is required for this position, which includes standing for long periods of time working with patients and assisting the dentist.

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