Dental Hygiene Assistant

SUMMARY: Under the general direction of the Chief Dental Officer (CDO) and the Dental Patient Coordinator, the Dental Hygiene Assistant works as part of the Dental Team performing those duties necessary to provide assistance to the dental staff. The Dental Hygiene Assistant is responsible for preparing patients for treatment, processing dental x-ray film, pours dental impressions, setting up instruments and dental materials, sterilizing instruments after patient treatment, and charts dental anomalies, ordering and stocking supplies.

PRIMARY DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: (other duties may be assigned):

• Conducts job duties in a professional and caring manner creating a positive patient-oriented service atmosphere.
• Exhibits awareness of cultural and socioeconomic differences and demonstrates ability in reducing barriers to the provisions of dental care.
  
  

Dental Hygiene Assistant Duties

Primary Role will be to assist Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) and ensure proper sterilization procedures.

Assist RDH with setting up treatment rooms for the next patient procedure.

Assist RDH with providing customer service support to patients by escorting them to and from the treatment room as needed

Expose x-rays (as allowed by state guidelines and certification).

Ensure Patients leave with a with a copy of their Exam to confirm Good Faith Estimate guidelines.

Transition exam information to the front office staff for scheduling purposes, as needed (Use the Appt Information to communicate to Front Desk Staff)

Assist the RDH with educating patient and parents/guardian on plaque control and explain prevention to patients and patient parents (for children

Assist RDH with Pt triage; include patient’s blood pressure (Pts 13 and older), O2, and temperature (temp and O2 for patients 3-12).

Assist RDH by polishing Pt teeth and applying fluoride treatment to the patient’s teeth.

Prepare RDH rooms including but not limited to set-up, decontamination, sterilization of all instruments, cleaning handpieces, and restocking supplies.

Assist RDH with new and returning patient charting and periodontal charting.

Assist Dental Assistants, Dentists, and Front Desk staff when directed by Chief Dental Officer/Direct Supervisor.

Sterilization Dental Technician

• Adhere to enhanced infection control protocols and PPE requirements to reduce transmission of COVID-19.
• Turn on equipment in the morning and off at night (as well as during lunch)
• Set up treatment rooms for each patient.
• Manage inventory of supplies, instruments, and the state of treatment rooms.
• Disinfect as required by OSHA and state regulations.
• Restock operatories as needed.
• Provide assistance to the front office during downtime to include calling on overdue recare patients.
• Help clinical assistant as needed.
• Assist and support the doctor in the clinical treatment of patients.
• And other tasks delegated by CDO or immediate supervisor.
  
  

Additional Duties (Rotating as DA for Dentists)

• Conduct similar tasks as listed for RDH when providing chairside assistance for Dentists.
• Comply with rotating schedule with other Dental Assistants to assist Dentists in chair-side procedures to include seating patients, sealants, amalgams, composites, oral surgery, endodontics, prophylaxis (polishing), space maintainers, removable prosthodontics, fixed prosthodontics, charting, triage patients (checking blood pressure, temperature, and O2, etc), providing patient instructions and ensure review and have patient sign informed consent(s).
• Prepares and sets up instruments and dates all sterilized instruments and places them in the rooms, on trays, or sterilization area for storage.
• Responsible, along with the dental hygienist, for the daily, weekly and monthly maintenance and monitoring of equipment such as the compressor, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers and evacuator systems.
• Assist the Dentist(s) with whatever procedures he/she requests for patient care.
• Follow all OSHA standards and institutional policies as stated in the Regulatory Compliance Manual and MedNorth health Center Policies and Procedures Manual by assisting with and/or under the guidance of DA II maintaining all dental SDS information, updating dental infection control protocol annually, and assisting in developing yearly OSHA review for dental staff.
• Breaking Down and Setting up Operatories: Clean rooms after each patient by wiping chairs, sterilizing instruments, counters, etc, spraying and disinfecting the room, placement of barriers (chairs, lights, etc), setting up for the next patient, decontamination each room at the end of the day and between patients, and keeping all rooms organized.
• Ensure rooms are decontaminated between patients, before leaving for lunch and at the end of the day.
• Always protect the confidentiality of patients and their records by complying with patient confidentiality policies.
• Addresses patient complaints and directs them through the proper channels.
• Assists dentist and hygienist with all oral health education programs.
• Completes and maintains all dental lab slips for a minimum of two years.
• Assist with notification of patient(s) when an appliance is ready.
• Pours and disinfects dental impressions.
• Assists in the ordering and maintenance of dental supplies by restocking rooms prior to ordering new supplies and storing ordered supplies in the proper location.
• Provides radiology services by exposing and processing dental radiographies as ordered by the dentist (x-ray certified) and monitoring personal dosimeter badge.
• When directed by the Chief Dental Officer/Immediate Supervisor, assists with administrative tasks such as taking telephone messages, reviewing charts, scheduling appointments, etc.
• Utilizes down time constructively to enhance clinical operations, assists other staff/departments when time and workload permits.
• Perform all duties as permitted by the Dental Laws of North Carolina and Board Rules handbook section. 0203. – Permitted Functions of Dental Assistant II/ Dental Assistant I.
• Under Direct Control and Supervision of the Dentist(s) and as allowed for DAI vs DAII: Write laboratory work orders (Exact words must be dictated by the dentist), Place amalgam in prep w/carrier, Apply topical fluoride, Expose radiographs (see requirements on previous page), Oral hygiene instruction, Triage Patients (Take pulse, blood pressure and temperature), Polish dentures (extraorally, upon instruction by the dentist and re-insertion by the dentist), Apply topical anesthetics/DentiPatch®
• Write prescriptions (drugs; exact words must be dictated by the dentist), Perform extraoral adjustments of any temporary crown, restorative and prosthodontic appliances. (extraorally, upon instruction by the dentist and reinsertion by the dentist).
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Corporate Compliance: It is an essential job element that everyone be compliant with the full law and fully cooperates with the compliance program without fear of retaliations from the organization.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skills, and/or ability required:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Must be classified as a Dental Assistant II

To be classified as a Dental Assistant II, an assistant shall meet one of the following criteria:

• completion of:
• an ADA-accredited dental assisting program and current certification in CPR; or
• one academic year or longer in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program, and current certification in CPR; or
• completion of the Dental Assistant certification examination(s) administered by the Dental Assisting National Board and current certification in CPR; or
• completion of:
• a 3-hour course in sterilization and infection control;
• a 3-hour course in dental office emergencies; coronal polishing and
• current certification in CPR.
• after completing Sub-Items (3)(b), (c), and (d) of this Rule, dental assistants may be trained in any dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental Assistant II under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist, except as listed in Sub-Item 3(e) of this Rule.
• Dental assistants may take radiographs after completing radiology training consistent with G.S. 90-29(c)(12).
• full-time employment and experience as a chairside assistant for two years (3,000 hours) of the preceding five, during which period the assistant may be trained in any dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental Assistant II under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist.
  
  

High School diploma or equivalent; certification from a Dental Assistant Program; must be Radiology Certified and have proof of completion of externship/internship.

Reference: https://www.ncdentalboard.org/dental_assisting.htm

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL/MOTOR SKILLS: The Dental Hygiene Assistant must have a basic understanding of medical and dental terminology and possess accurate keyboarding skills. The employee must have the ability to use standard office equipment: including computers, photocopiers and facsimile machines. Must possess the ability to learn, understand and use internet insurance eligibility systems. The Dental Hygiene Assistant must be able to operate X-ray and dental laboratory equipment. The employee must possess the ability to use Dental/EHR Software Systems.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: The Dental Hygiene Assistant possesses excellent telephone etiquette, interpersonal and customer service skills. Teamwork and communication skills are essential. The employee must treat all patients, co-workers, and managers with courtesy and respect.

MENTAL ABILITIES: The Dental Hygiene Assistant possesses cognitive reasoning -- Clear thinking in high-pressure situations -- Ability to prioritize and withstand pressure of continual work with variable requirements -- Ability to concentrate and maintain accuracy despite frequent interruptions -- Critical thinking and organization skills, problem solving, and reasoning capabilities

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to speak English fluently -- Spanish speaking or another language is a plus

Licenses, Certificates, Registrations

Certifications from an accredited Dental Assisting Program; must be radiology certified.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear, use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

The special vision requirements for this job are close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors).

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions for this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MedNorth Health Center provides comprehensive health care services, inside a multi-cultural medical/dental clinic, to all individuals; insured, uninsured, and underinsured. The building is heated in winter and air conditioned in the summer with noise levels of moderate to loud. We serve patients who speak multiple languages and who may need the assistance of an interpreter. In this position one may be subject to exposure to copier toner, correction fluid, bright fluorescent lighting, and continuous personal computer exposure.

MedNorth Health Center is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.

This job is a Blood borne Pathogens risk category III position.

General Expectations

The employee is expected to attend work on a daily basis and to be at work on time.

The employee is expected to be a team player.

The employee is expected to report absences in accordance with personnel policies and procedures.

The employees’ work is expected to be accurate, neat, and thorough, and completed on time.

The employee is expected to have a positive attitude, be cooperative, and considerate of others.

The employee is expected to be dependable and is expected to accept responsibility for assignments and duties given.

The employee is expected to dress and act in a professional manner and to adhere to all safety standards.

The employee is expected to participate in staff meetings, be courteous and polite with patients and other staff.

The employee is expected to maintain confidentiality.