Dental Assistant I

Description

• Takes and pours up dental impressions under direction of a dentist.
• Prepares, sterilizes, organizes, and sets up dental equipment, ensures that all dental instruments are cleaned, dated, and processed according to established clinic guidelines and standards.
• Exposes and processes dental radiographs in accordance with provider orders; assists in the monitoring and maintenance of radiation safety procedures and protocols.
• Monitors and maintains dental equipment, such as compressors, evacuator systems, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers, and light curing units, in accordance with manufacturers' guidelines.
• Provides chair side assistance to dentists and/or dental hygienists in the performance of dental procedures, to include operative, preventive, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic, and/or oral surgical procedures.
• Contacts patients by telephone for return visits.
• Follows and maintains all relevant federal, state, and institutional regulations, guidelines, policies, and standards for the provision of dental clinical services.
• Orders and maintains inventories of dental clinic supplies.
• Educates patients based on a sound knowledge of prevention and control of oral diseases; uses various teaching aids to effectively present the information to patients.
• Maintains dental laboratory slips and creates and maintains dental records in accordance with established protocol and procedures.
• Inventories and orders materials and supplies for the dental clinic.
• Prepares instruments for sterilization and storage in trays.
• Interacts with and processes dental clinic patients; performs telephone triage, conducts patient interviews, and obtains prior approvals from third party payors.

Requirements

• Knowledge of planning and scheduling techniques.
• Physical Effort and Dexterity: Good dexterity to operate personal computer, and basic medical and laboratory equipment. Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
• Ability to work as a team member within a clinical environment.
• Knowledge and familiarity with compliance program. Cooperate fully and comply with laws and regulations.
• Graduation from an ADA recognized certificate program is preferred.
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish is preferred.
• Knowledge of radiation safety procedures, standards, and protocols.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• CPR Certification must be obtained within first 6 months of hire and maintained.
• Records maintenance skills.
• Environment/Working Conditions: Work is mostly inside a clinic in a controlled environment. Normal clinic safety precautions and practices are required. Position may require travel throughout the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Work regularly scheduled Monday-Friday, although weekends may be required to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of sterile procedures.
• Current knowledge of and ability to follow a full range of dental clinical procedures and protocols.
• Ability to expose and process dental radiographs.
• High School graduate or GED certificate required.
• Knowledge of patient evaluation and triage procedures.
• Machines, Tools, Equipment required to be operated: Capable of using medical equipment, office machines and personal computers for word processing, data entry and retrieval.
• Visual Acuity, Hearing, and Speaking: Must be able to read computer monitor output and results of basic medical tests accurately. Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately for work and safety compliance.
• Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control. Interviewing skills.
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
• Active license from NM Board of Dental Healthcare with certification required in:
• Dental Radiography
• Ability to operate, maintains, and troubleshoots a wide range of dental equipment in accordance with prescribed procedures and standards.
• Work experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified is strongly preferred.

Benefits

• Adult, geriatric, adolescent, pediatric
• MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance