Dental Assistant

Job Description

Under supervision of a Dentist, provides chair-side assistance during dental examination and treatment. Prepares and sterilizes dental instruments, equipment, and supplies. Takes and develops x-rays. Maintains a clean and orderly condition of the dental clinic.

• Checks dental chair and unit and turns on main compressor and suction switches at the beginning of shift. Turns off all switches at the end of shift.
• Obtains patient medical record and guides patient to examination room.
• Prepares patient for dental examination and treatment.
• Seats patient comfortably in appropriate position for treatment.
• Assists patient in removing dentures, eyeglasses, etc., and stores safely.
• Secures a towel around patient's neck prior to dental examination.
• Provides a wipe and directs patient to wipe mouth when necessary.
• References patient's medical record for treatment plan to determine appropriate instruments and materials required.
• Prepares and places appropriate instruments and materials on dental tray.
• Informs Dentist of patient preparedness for examination.
• Provides chair‑side assistance to Dentist during examination and treatment.
• Passes instruments, medicaments, and filling materials to Dentist, as required.
• Handles evacuator, water, and air syringe.
• Assists patients with rinsing, as needed.
• Takes and processes conventional and/or digital x‑rays.
• Assists patient in getting out of dental chair and exam room.
• Ensures current treatment activities and any further treatment plans are documented in the medical record and approved by Dentist or dental resident.
• Ensures encounter form is completed and provided to registration staff for processing.
• Cleans exam room and prepares for next patient encounter.
• Places used instruments in appropriate cleaning solution in preparation for sterilization.
• Cleans, sterilizes, and stores instruments according to established policies and procedures.
• May review and collect treatment fees from patient and/or set up payment plans, as required.
• Performs related duties, as required.
• Performs post-dental treatment duties.

• MUST HAVE GRADUATED FROM A DENTAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM*
• High School Diploma or equivalent, required.
• Completion of a Dental Assistant program, required.
• Licensed as a certified Dental Assistant in New York State or current sterile processing certification (CRCST or CSPD), preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year dental assistance experience, required.

The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining a team member's base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, service line, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity).