Dental Assistant, Oregon Dental Office

Overview

Job Summary Provide direct support to dentists, hygienists, denturists and other provider personnel in the delivery of dental care and service within a Kaiser Permanente dental office.

• Performs all of the duties permitted a dental assistant consistent with the individuals training and in the presence of or under the observation of a licensed provider as referenced in State Dental Practice Act and the related Administrative Rules. These duties include: apply topical anesthetic and desensitizing agents as directed by the provider; removal of sutures and post-extraction and periodontal dressings;
  
  retract a patient’s cheek, tongue, or other tissue during an operation; assist in the placement or removal of a rubber dam; remove debris from operative procedures with a vacuum device, compressed air, mouth washes, or water; inspect the oral cavity with a mirror; dry root canals with paper points; place temporary filling material into endodontic access; take impressions for a periodontal night guard;
  
  polish the coronal surfaces of teeth when a dentist or hygienist has determined teeth are free of calculus; train patients in techniques of oral hygiene and prevention of oral disease; place films (dental radiographs), adjust equipment preparatory to exposing films, and expose films.
• In support of the practice of a dentist provider who is not an orthodontist: preliminarily select and size bands; remove fixed orthodontic appliances; check for loose bands and brackets; remove ligature ties and head appliances; place and remove arch wires, elastics and orthodontic separators; take intra-oral measurements for orthodontic procedures; remove supra-gingival bracket bonding material with a hand piece not exceeding 25,000 RPM;
  
  place ligature ties and head appliances; train patients in oral hygiene and prevention; place films (dental radiographs), adjust equipment preparatory to exposing films, and expose films. Organize patients’ dental records consistent with established guidelines, confirm availability, and ensure records are ready for provider use at the time care and service is provided. Greet, introduce self to, and inform patients of the general treatment to be provided and the provider to be seen per Kaiser Permanente Behavioral Guidelines.
  
  Review health questionnaires with patients and notify the provider of any conditions that could affect treatment. Promote patient emotional comfort by gaining rapport, instilling confidence, and promoting tranquility. Inform and answer patients and/or parents questions regarding care and service provided as directed by the provider.
• Anticipate provider needs in the delivery of patient care and service. Communicate information important to maintaining proper scheduling and flow of patients as recorded in the patient’s dental record. Prepare, organize, arrange and pass dental instruments, supplies and materials as requested by the provider and required by guidelines. Establish and maintain a clear and clean operating field. Record and verify information in the patient’s dental record according to procedures.
  
  Enter, retrieve and transmit patient care and service information via the TEAM scheduling system as needed. Respond to medical emergency situations per guidelines. Expose and process dental radiographs as required per guidelines. Take patient blood pressure and record in the patient’s dental record. Maintain a clean and organized work environment and ensure infection control across operatory, laboratory and processing areas.
  
  Ensure proper handling of materials per hazard communication and infection control guidelines. Ensure proper functioning of equipment through preventive maintenance and report non-functioning or damaged equipment promptly.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the office manager or supervisory personnel that are consistent with training and experience. Act in conformance with program policies, procedures, guidelines and regulations governing the role of the dental assistant. Perform the following functions with the dentist on the premises and after the dentist checks the patient: place matrix retainers for alloy and composite…