Dental Assistant

To perform general assistant functions in the clinic to enhance the dentists’ services; to perform infection control processing and maintenance of dental instruments and equipment

Reports to: Chief Dental Officer

Supervision Exercised: None

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Graduate of approved Dental Assistant Program preferred
• Current CPR Certification
• Experience may be substituted for education

Required Travel: Infrequent travel may include local limited travel.

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.

• Essential to have ability to understand verbal information/instruction, to exchange verbal information with others and ability to present information/instruction verbally.
• Essential to have ability to read and understand written material and ability to compose information/instruction in written form.
• Essential to have ability to memorize.
• Essential to have ability to reason mathematically and to have problem solving and analytical skills.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ensure the function and activities of this department to embrace the philosophy, mission, values and Communicate with Heart service model supported by the Board of Directors of Pueblo Community Health Center, Inc.
• Adhere to the guidelines and procedures of Pueblo Community Health Center, Inc.
• Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
• Assist the dentist with patient care.
• Take radiographs as ordered by dentist.
• Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
• Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
• Complete child prophy and application of fluoride varnish.
• Stock, set up and clean the operatory for each procedure.
• Take alginate impressions of patient and pour impressions with stone.
• Ensure that emergency medication and airway boxes are monitored per department P & P.
• Assist in maintenance of dental records and audits.
• Maintain knowledge of current technology in dental health.
• Adhere to infection control policies and procedures for the dental department.
• Scrub and wash surgical instruments, containers, and equipment.
• Sterilize instruments, equipment, and supplies, such as surgical packs and treatment trays.
• Prepare packs of supplies, instruments, and dressing and treatment trays according to designated lists.
• Wrap, label, and seal packs.
• Store prepared items and supplies in designated areas.
• Perform routine maintenance on autoclaves and other equipment
• Maintain CPR certification. Assist dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies.
• Provide dental health services appropriate to the age-specific needs of all patients in accordance with the principles of growth and development for infant, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric life cycles.
• Assist in training dental assistant students in accordance to institutional agreements.
• Maintain a professional and cordial environment in the clinic area and represent the Pueblo Community Health Center in a professional manner to the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Participate in departmental and General Staff Meetings.

The above duties are not all inclusive and are not intended to limit or define the duties that may be assigned.

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

• The employee frequently communicates with employees and the public and must be able to exchange accurate information while performing patient care tasks and routine office tasks.
• The employee occasionally retrieves and disseminates information using written materials and electronic devices.
• The employee frequently observes, receives and otherwise obtains information from all relevant sources and identifies information by categorizing, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• The employee frequently utilizes dental equipment requiring manual dexterity with both…