Dental Assistant

Provides chair side assistance to dental therapists and dentists. May occasionally

assist dental therapy students, dental students, faculty and/or licensed dental staff in any services

rendered to patients. This includes assisting with chair side, laboratory and x-ray procedures, as well as

assigned duties.


• JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

A. REPORTS TO: Dental Clinic Director and Clinic Manager

B. SUPERVISES: Does not supervise.

C. INTERRELATIONSHIPS WITH: Dental Therapists, Dentists, Instructors,

Hygienists, Assistants, Students, Office staff, patients of the Dental Clinic.


• HOURS OF WORK: Generally 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as needed.


• DRESS CODE: Scrubs or protective clothing/equipment.


• ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK (Minimum qualifications necessary to

function at full productivity).

A. EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Graduation from an accredited dental assistant

program, licensed by the state of Minnesota, current CPR certification.

B. EXPERIENCE: Experience in a dental office or clinic are preferred qualifications,

however new grads are encouraged to apply.

C. JOB KNOWLEDGE (Specific): Must possess and demonstrate high level

clinical skills and patient care techniques.


• BUDGET: Must work in a cost efficient manner.


• CLIENTELE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY JOB: Patients, co-workers, students, and faculty


• PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB: Need for constant alertness to client/patient/employee

needs and/or potential problem areas. Occasional lifting, must be able to stand or sit for long periods

of time, must have good manual dexterity to use rotary equipment and other dental instruments within

a patient's mouth.


• PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB: Clean, well lighted, quiet, clinic type environment.

Some noise associated with dental equipment. Exposure to blood and body fluids.


• EQUIPMENT OR MACHINES USED ON THE JOB: Dental, sterilization and x-ray equipment

associated with the Dental Clinic. Office equipment: fax, copier, scanner, computers, etc.


• MENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:

A. JUDGMENT AND INITIATIVE: Perform routine duties following prescribe

patient care protocols and procedures. Responsible for understanding and

responding appropriately to emergencies (CPR, oxygen, emergency drug kit).

B. INDEPENDENT ACTION: Provides chair side assistance to dental therapists,

dentists during examinations and operations, maintaining a clear operative field.

C. EFFECT OF ERROR: Potential client harm or disruption of operations.

D. CONTACT WITH OTHERS: Dental therapists, dentists, dental therapy

students, dental students, hygienists, dental hygiene students, patients, staff, and

other health care providers.


• PRINCIPLE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES, TASKS, AND AUTHORITIES:

A. RESPONSIBILITY: Provides chair side dental services to patients under

supervision of licensed dental staff

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 75% DISCRETION: A

TASKS:

Performs patient care activities relevant to the clinic assigned as permitted by the

Dental Practices Act.

1. Expose dental images (bite wing, periapical and panoramic views) using sensors,

and related dental x-ray equipment

2. Placement/removal of rubber dam.

3. Application and preparation of dental materials.

4. Retract a patient's cheek, tongue or other parts of tissue during a dental

operation and remove debris accumulated during the course of treatment by

the use of vacuum devices.

5. Apply cavity preventative agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants.

6. Perform mechanical polishing.

7. Monitors patients who have been inducted by a dental therapist or dentist into

nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation analgesia.

8. Taking impressions for casts and appropriate bite registration.

9. Place gingival retraction cord.

10. Placement and removal of periodontal packs.

11. Making preliminary adaptation of temporary crowns.

12. May assist with dental cases performed in a hospital operating room.

13. Ensure comfort, safety, and cleanliness of dental facilities.

14. Establish work priorities, organize and perform quality work.

15. Other duties as assigned.

B. RESPONSIBILITY: Set up, sanitize and sterilization.

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 15% DISCRETION: A

TASKS:

1. Prepares patient, arranges instruments and set-ups, and prepares dental

materials for treatment procedure.

2. Prepares operatories using infection control techniques.

3. Maintains supplies, equipment and clinic cleanliness.

4. Sterilizes instruments including cleaning, wrapping and autoclaving.

C. RESPONSIBILITY: Patient Education

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 5% DISCRETION: A

TASKS:

1. Help patients develop and maintain good oral health.

2. Explain the relationship between diet and oral health.

3. Explain how to select toothbrushes and show them how to brush and floss their

teeth.

4. Use models of teeth to explain oral hygiene.

5. Assist dental therapists and dentists to establish a professional environment by

providing positive support to patients.

D. RESPONSIBILITY: Serves on internal and external Rice

committees as assigned.

PRIORITY: A % OF TIME: 5% DISCRETION: A

TASKS:

1. Provides dental clinic support as assigned.

2. Participates in other internal or external committees as assigned.

E. RESPONSIBILITY: Service Excellence

TASKS:

1. Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the Service Excellence philosophy by

adhering to behaviors outlined in Rice's "Standards of Excellence".

F. RESPONSIBILITY: Continuous Quality Improvement

TASKS:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the CQI philosophy.

a. Participate in CQI training activities or CQI teams if appropriate.

b. Demonstrate sensitivity to customers and their needs.

c. Interacts appropriately with internal customers, i.e. coworkers

within department, staff across departments.

d. Interact appropriately with external customers, i.e. patients,

families, medical staff, vendors.

e. Role model positive behaviors.

H. RESPONSIBILITY: Safety

TASKS:

1. Maintain and promote a safe environment for all patients, visitors and

employees.

2. Consistently follow all policies, practices and work rules.

3. Do not use shortcuts or work-a-rounds that may reduce safety or

increase risk.

4. Stay alert, act responsibly and use common sense to reduce risks.

5. Report actual events and good catches as soon as possible.

6. Eliminate hazards and identify and report unsafe systems.

7. Complete all mandatory safety education and attend safety sessions.

8. Review and understand the Safety Program as identified on RiceNet.

9. Seek answers to questions you have about the Safety Program.

10. Develop appropriate infection control policies, procedures and

practices for the Clinic in cooperation with the Rice Infection Control

Nurse.

Written: 9/1/17