Heartland Community Health Clinic

HEARTLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC

Job Title: Dental Assistant Department: Dental Effective Date: February 2006 Reports to: Dental Program Coorindator & CFO CEO Initials:

Position Summary

Under general direction, assists dentists in providing quality and complete general dentistry to eligible children and adults according to the guidelines of the Illinois Dental Practice Act.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

Assists with the operation of the Dental Clinic.  Schedules patients.  Captures billing information.  Reviews patient’s chart regarding medical information  Obtains and updates health history from patient, including medication (i.e. antibiotics, sedatives, asthmatic inhalers).  Obtains necessary consent forms  Submits service information to dental billing specialist.  Consults with patient’s physician regarding medical problems in relation to future dental treatment.  Sets up operatory with treatment supplies and breaks down operatory according to OSHA guidelines, (i.e. scrubs, sorts, bags, and sterilizes all instruments prior to autoclaving).  Records appropriate data on patient record according to accepted dental clinic guidelines.  Complies with OSHA Blood Borne pathogens regulations as required by law. Assists Dental Director with monitoring dental clinic’s compliance with OSHA standards. Responsible for intraoral radiographs:  Adheres to safety protocols to minimize radiation exposure.  Positions films in patient’s mouth.  Exposes, develops, and mounts radiographs for dentist to review.

Assists the dentist in dental treatment:  Ensures patient/doctor safety during injections and dental work  Observes patient for safe and effective local anesthetic  Utilizes suction, rinsing and mirror instruments  Mixes filling and dental materials for immediate use  Hands instruments to dentist, as requested  Consults with patient and/or parent/guardian regarding present and future treatment and dental medications prescribed.  Restocks the operatory room as necessary.  Prepares for the next day’s appointments by reading patient’s charts, checking for procedures needed, and obtaining supplies.  Performs front line customer service including answering phones, pulling charts, filing, and scheduling patients as needed  Assumes responsibility for professional development and job-related competency  Alerts the Clinic Dentists of any signs/observations of abuse, neglect and related incidents according to Federal and State Guidelines.  Maintains confidential personal information, which must be safeguarded to prevent damage to client’s lives and reputations. Utilizes sound judgment and caution in communications with individuals inside and outside the Department.  Attends in-service training and meetings as required. May serve on various committees as needed.  Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities or Licensure  High school diploma or equivalent  One year certificate in Dental Assisting or equivalent certified program.  Certified in dental sealant placement and coronal polishing according to the requirements of the Illinois Dental Practice Act.  Must have 24 hours of continuing education every two years (must include CPR certification).  Must have good oral and written communication skills.  Must have a working knowledge of dental/medical terminology, pharmacology and office operations.  Must be organized, have basic math skills and time management skills  Must have a valid Illinois drivers license, proof of liability insurance, and access to reliable transportation  Must participate in annual training on OSHA blood borne pathogen compliance standards and any other relative OSHA standards  Must have ability to maintain confidentiality. Environmental/Working Conditions  Worker is frequently exposed to noise (includes dental equipment noise), distractions and interruptions.  May be exposed to hostile, verbally abusive, and emotional clients.  Constantly exposed to blood borne pathogens during clinics.  Worker subject to conditions that affect the respiratory system or the skin, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, and gases.

Physical/Mental Demands  Worker may be required to engage in the following movements while performing job duties: standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, grasping, some of which may be repetitive.  Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Ability to lift and move a small child.  Must have hearing and speaking ability sufficient enough to communicate with others in person and over the telephone.  Must have visual ability sufficient to read and complete patient records, use hand held instruments to work in confined spaces, and operate a motor vehicle.  Performs tasks requiring independent knowledge in addition to procedures or instructions provided.

This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to serve as an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, and responsibilities required of personnel so classified.

This description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions may change as needs evolve.

Acknowledgement

I have read this job description and understand its contents.

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