Dental Assistant

Job Summary

The dental assistant assists the dentist in the practice of four-handed dentistry and in the care of dental patients.

• Assists in four-handed TEAM dentistry:
• Transfers instruments and supplies.
• Keeps the operation site clean and dry.
• Performs those intra-oral procedures that are reversible:
• Takes impressions of patient’s teeth and gums and pours impression in plaster or stone.
• Places and removes periodontal dressings.
• Exposes and develops radiographs.
• Perform toothbrush prophy on pediatric and handicap patients.
• Applies fluorides to teeth.
• Selects and places matrix band for interproximal restorations.
• Fabricates, adapts, and cements chrome/acrylic temporary crowns.
• Selects and places gingival retraction cord.
• Cements and removes space maintainer.
• Other duties:
• Prepares a schedule of daily patients in cooperation with the receptionist.
• Call patient and confirm dental appointments.
• Call and schedule specialty appointments and notify patient of day and time along with instructions.
• Perform daily operatory start-up and operatory shut-down procedures.
• Guides patient into treatment area and prepares them for examination and treatment.
• Charts oral findings in the mouth and teeth of patients.
• Sterilizes instruments.
• Maintain equipment and complete required documentation.
• Order dental supplies and maintain sufficient inventory of dental supplies.
• Keeps working area in constant sanitary condition.
• Takes medical history of patients.
• Prepares and packages dental prosthetic cases for shipping to outside dental laboratory.
• Receives and unpacks dental prosthetic cases returned from outside dental laboratory.
• Patient dental health education and post procedure patient instruction.
• Completes and submits all dental claim forms (billing forms).
• Perform any tasks as directed by the dentist to facilitate the mission of Valley Health Systems and to meet the needs of our patient population.
• Assist in care coordination which may include obtaining test and referral results and communication with various entities including but not limited to community organizations, health plans, facilities and specialists.
• Proactively address needs of the patients and families through the concept of population management.
• Effectively communicates with all patients with specific attention to the vulnerable patient population.
• Provide self management support in the form of patient coaching and motivational interviewing when appropriate.
• Acknowledges the importance of a team approach when providing patient care.
• Communicates and coordinates effectively when providing patient care.
• Actively participates in the medical home care team which is comprised of clinical and non-clinical working together towards a common goal: delivering quality care to our patients.
• Maintain compliance with the organization’s confidentiality policy in accordance to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Dental Assisting Certification preferred

Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm
Friday 7:30am-1:30pm