Location: Boston,MA, USA
GENERAL SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the Lead Dental Assistant and Practice Manager, the dental assistant will assist in performing four-handed chair side dentistry; take, develop, and mount radiographs; take and pour up impressions; clean up and set up rooms for dental procedures; prepare and sterilize dental instruments; establish appropriate rapport with patients.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Escort and prepare patients for dental treatment; pull and file patient charts. Arrange dental instruments and materials on chair side tray according to procedure to be performed. The department specific duties are as follows:
Under the immediate supervision of the dentist, the incumbent is to place restorative materials in tooth for condensation and finishing by the dentist; apply cavity varnish, liner(s) and bonding agents; apply and adjust dental sealants, select and adapt stainless steel crowns or other pre-formed crown for insertion by the dentist; apply topical anesthetic agents; remove implant healing caps/cover screws for restorative procedures; and assist or monitor nitrous oxide analgesia.
Under direct supervision of the dentist, the assistant is to place and remove gingival retraction materials; place and remove matrix bands; irrigate and aspirate the oral cavity; pace temporary restorations (not including temporization of inlays, onlays, crowns and bridges) to provide palliative treatment; place cotton pellets and temporary restorative materials into endodontic openings; remove excess cement and bonding agents from bridges and appliances (including orthodontic appliances) with hand instruments; record dental screenings; record charting of the oral cavity and surrounding structures, including but not limited to dental restorations, lesions and periodontal probing depths; re-cement and adjust intact temporary restorations intraorally; apply desensitizing agents; and place and remove wedges.
Under the general supervision of the dentist, the incumbent would also polish teeth, after the dentist or dental
hygienist has determined that teeth are free of calculus, with slow-speed hand piece; remove sutures; place and remove orthodontic arch wires; apply anti-cariogenic agents, including fluoride varnish; expose radiographs; place and remove dental dams; conduct preliminary intraoral fit of bands; place and remove periodontal dressings; place and remove orthodontic separators; take impressions for study casts and bite registrations, including for identification purposes, night guards and custom fluoride and bleaching trays pursuant to the dentist's prescription or order.
The incumbent would also take impressions for orthodontic retainers; take impressions for athletic mouth guards; cement and remove temporary crowns and bridges; perform minor emergency palliative orthodontic adjustments to eliminate pain and discomfort; insert and/or perform minor adjustment of night mouth guards, athletic mouth guards and custom fluoride trays; conduct preliminary oral fit of arch wire; select size of headgear; etch appropriate enamel surfaces before bonding of orthodontic appliances by the dentist; place elastics and ligature wires; and remove fixed orthodontic appliances.
Other duties include:
Cleaning the instruments using autoclaves or chemical disinfectants to maintain accepted standards of asepsis
Performing equipment maintenance under the direction of the lead assistant
Performing clerical duties, as required, such as: answering telephone calls; maintain office files; entering treatment and charges on patient encounter forms; assuring daily that all charts and x-rays are ready for patients
Assisting dental assistant supervisor in maintaining proper inventory levels; keeping operatories supplied and clean and all other work areas (lab, x-ray room, supply closets) neat and clean
Complying with all hospital and office training requirements and policies, including those involving patient privacy/confidentiality, and safety
Cross covering across the department sites as needed.
SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
Attentive to detail.
Ability to provide compassionate care to patients and educate them in post visit and post procedure care.
Ability to respond appropriately to emergency situations.
Ability to conduct a brief oral exam and take appropriate x-rays.
Must have basic computer efficiencies and the ability to learn software systems
Ability to take impressions, bite registrations, and fabricate models for specific procedures.
Knowledge of Standard Precautions
Knowledge of Dental Radiology
Knowledge of head and neck anatomy & physiology
Knowledge of aseptic techniques
Knowledge of chair-side assisting
* Knowledge of basic CPR
* Ability to travel across department sites required.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or REGISTRATIONS:
* Radiology and BLS certification required.
* Current license to practice dental assisting in MA by the Board of Registration in Dentistry required.
* Certification as a Dental Assistant from the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) required
EDUCATION:
Minimum of High School diploma required
EXPERIENCE:
* At least 1 year of dental assisting experience preferred.
* Previous experience with dental practice management, electronic charting, and digital radiography systems preferred