Dental Assistant

SUMMARY

The Dental Assistant supports a variety of activities related to day to day dental center operations, including assisting the Dentist and Dental Hygienist, providing patient follow-up and collaborating on care coordination services. Consistent with New Hampshire regulation Den 401, the Dental Assistant performs the duties he/she is allowed to perform as outlined in the regulation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Assists in the provision of high-quality care within the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care for dental assistants.

Prepares each operatory and patient management for treatment.

Provides active chairside assistance to the Dentist and anticipates the provider's needs including instrument transfer, dental procedure isolation techniques, preparation of dental materials, cements, amalgam, composite, impression materials, etc.

Collects and records patient health histories and assists in dental charting and treatment planning.

Assists in the prevention and management of dental emergencies.

Provides appropriate patient oral health education in the clinical environment.

Clears the work site and prepares for the next patient following proper infection control protocols.

Monitors and documents the flow of laboratory cases and maintains lab facility.

Prepares and maintains dental instruments, equipment and inventory supplies.

Helps to manage patient flow in dental office.

Schedules patient appointments, verifies insurance eligibility, processes self pay patient

applications and verifies income eligibility for sliding fee scale.

Assists in completion of daily cash deposit and makes deposits as needed.

Assists in processing reports end of week, end of month and end of year.

Maintains patient records via electronic record and, as required, paper record.

Transmits electronic claims and posts insurance payments to patient accounts.

Participates in the ongoing evaluation of dental clinic's operations to assure the delivery of high-quality services that support the financial sustainability of the dental clinic.

Ability to work flexible hours.

Performs other job-related tasks as assigned, as time allows.

Follow agency, State and Federal policies, procedures and guidelines.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

N/A

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High School diploma or equivalent. Must demonstrate the ability to relate well with people and maintain client confidentiality. Must demonstrate the ability to express ideas clearly, both in writing and orally, be able to work independently..

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively with clients and employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must have a willingness to pursue the completion of expanded duties courses and obtain certifications in areas such as preliminary inspection of the oral cavity, dental radiography and infection control as needed. CPR certification required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and smell. The employee is occasionally required to stoop or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and will include the use of protective equipment. Exposure to blood and blood-borne pathogens occurs during the course of work and requires the completion of OSHA training.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

• External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the American With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.