Dental Assistant

General Position Summary

The Dental Assistant assists the Director of Dentistry, Staff Dentist, and Dental Hygienist in the care and treatment of patients, filing patient charts, updating records, and performing administrative functions at Johnson Health Center (JHC).

• Assists the Dentist and Dental Hygienist in chairside duties with patients, including seating the patient and providing appropriate instrumentation and materials for the intended treatment.
• Educates patients on dental disease and preventative home care, including brushing and flossing techniques.
• Serves as liaison to patients in telephone communications of medical/dental issues.

• Consults with the dentist and other members of the health care team as necessary.
• Acts to facilitate communication between the members of the health care team, including clinical and non–clinical staff.
• Performs other necessary duties as required by JHC and as directed by the Dentist to meet the goal of providing oral health care services.

• Prepares dental patients for treatment, including updating and recording of medical and dental history and vital signs.
• Prepares appropriate instrumentation and materials for dental procedures.
• Assists the dentist or dental hygienist in the examination and treatment of patients.
• Provides patient education and instruction in proper oral hygiene techniques and diet to promote dental health.
• Provides post‑operative instructions to the patient as prescribed by the dentist or dental hygienist.
• Dismisses patients following treatment and accompanies them to the front desk after the dentist or hygienist completes the dental record.
• Provides the following direct patient care as prescribed by the dentist or hygienist:
  • Obtains diagnostic digital X‑rays, including bitewings, periapical films, and panorex.
  • Performs dental prophylaxis.
  • Applies fluoride varnish treatment.
  • Places dental sealants.
  • Places topical anesthesia.
  • Removes sutures.
• Assists dentist or hygienist, when needed, in medical or dental emergencies.
• Removes instruments after procedures; cleans and prepares them for sterilization.
• Autoclave – Maintains water levels daily, loads instruments, runs sterilization cycle; then removes sterilized instruments and redistributes to proper locations.
• Keeps operatories stocked with appropriate materials and instruments, including ordering supplies as needed to maintain office inventory.
• Cleans operatories and all equipment used according to OSHA standards after each dental procedure.
• Cleans suction lines and traps in operatories on a weekly basis.
• Cleans traps in the equipment room every other week.
• Cleans autoclaves and tests sterilization (using Biostrips) monthly.
• Pulls trash from operatories and other clinic areas twice weekly.
• Assists with the school dental program in all areas of preparation and implementation.
• Assists at the front desk, when available, answer phones, schedule appointments, and receive payment for services.
• Physical attendance is an essential element of the job and necessary to perform the essential functions of the Dental Assistant position.

• Performs limited administrative functions involving treatment notes and charting for patient dental records and health histories.
• Assists in performing front office procedures in the absence of the Patient Assistance Specialist, including checking in patients, receiving payments, and scheduling appointments.
• Assists/coordinates with the school program, marketing, collecting data, and preparation as determined by JHC.

• Attends staff meetings and participates in the JHC QI program.

• Attends all mandatory OSHA infection control seminars and follows general OSHA guidelines for infection control, including “Universal Precautions.”
• Abides by all JHC infection control policies, including acute response measures in the setting of a public health concern or disease outbreak.

• Works independently as a team member in a fast‑paced environment.
• Able to operate office equipment, computer, copier, fax, etc.
• Must…