Dental Assistant

Summary:

Responsible for assisting the dentist in clinical treatment of patients.

• Attend and contribute to daily huddle.
• Attend and contribute to bi-weekly training.
• Write clearly, concisely, logically, and legibly.
• Demonstrate accuracy in spelling and basic math.
• Speak, understand, and write grammatically correct English.
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of dentistry.
• Facilitate interoffice team communication with respectful and constructive problem solving techniques.
• Understand and respect the behavior, attitude and beliefs in congruence with the values and vision of the practice.
• Maintain a clean and uncluttered environment in the work area.
• Focus conversations with patients and the patient or dentistry, avoiding personal problems or gossip.
• Educate patients at every opportunity.
• Greet each patient with a smile as welcomed guests to the practice.
• Meet and greet all patients as welcomed guests to the practice.
• Introduce each new patient to other team members (2-1 Transfer).
• Listen to each patient’s needs.
• Promote treatment plans and encourage patients to begin treatment.
• Maintain an outgoing, friendly attitude with patients and team member at all times.
• Ask each patient for a referral.
• Complete tasks within given time frames.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
• Answer questions from patient and team members cheerfully.
• Contribute to team spirit.
• Combine efficiency, productivity, and caring for patients in all actions.
• Demonstrate exceptional human relation skills.
• Dress according to office policy.
• Monitor key indicators each day to evaluate attainment of its goals.
• Complete a team action plan at the end of every meeting.
• Resolve conflict among team members quickly and fairly.
• Answer the telephone by the third ring in a warm, friendly voice identifying the office, self and asking "How may I help you?".
• Charge out procedure and electronically send claims.
• Maintain and assist the Doctor with clinical notes.

• Maintain patient comfort and be sensitive to patient’s real or imagined fear of being alone in the treatment room.
• Oversee supplies and equipment.
• Possess exceptional human relation skills.
• Ability to work with interruptions and manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to complete tasks within time frame.
• Turn on and off each day the x-ray machine, compressor, lights, water, nitrous and oxygen tanks, and suction system.
• Use gloves, mask, eyewear, and lab coat with every patient.
• Sterilize hygiene instruments and operative instruments.
• Set up and break down rooms.
• Disinfect room and equipment after each patient.
• Place barriers on equipment in accordance with OSHA guidelines.
• Introduce patient to Doctor enthusiastically.
• Use intraoral camera to educate patients.
• Follow Doctor’s recommendation for patient’s treatment plan.
• Cross train in other areas of the office.
• Keep abreast of products, services, and treatments.
• Attend continuing education courses annually.
• Enter complete treatment plan into each chart.
• Call each patient after difficult treatment.
• Be sure treatment room is ready, stocked and disinfected before a patient is brought to the room.
• Greet patient and introduce yourself when bringing them to the treatment room.
• Review and update patient health history, dental history and dental charting at each visit.
• Collect preliminary data prior to Doctor’s initial exam which would include necessary x-rays, full mouth charting including complete periodontal charting and Oral cancer screening.
• Educate patients as to the condition of their oral health, their options for treatment, what to expect with/without treatment guiding them to an informed decision. (
  
  NOTE:
  
  Dental Assistants cannot diagnose, but are knowledgeable enough to inform patients of what the Doctor might recommend for treatment.)
• Maintain inventory and place oral hygiene supplies to be ordered.
• Try not to leave your patient unattended in the chair.
• Accurately chart all procedures performed including date, services, necessary clinical notes (i.e. prognosis, treatment option, etc.), procedures and time needed for next visit and your initials.