Dental Assistant

Pay: $20.00 - $35.00 per hour

Job description:

Dental Assistant at Integrative Dentistry Of New Mexico _______________________________________________________

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for assisting the dentist in the clinical treatment of patients.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Patient Management

• Greet patients when they sign in and monitor arrival time
• Set up treatment rooms for procedures
• Escort and seat patients in treatment room
• Show care and concern, and help patients feel comfortable
• Obtain and review health histories according to office protocol
• Ensure patients are always attended
• Anticipate and assist dentist’s needs
• Perform expanded functions and other tasks as assigned by the dentist
• Run reports to ensure all goals are being succeeded
• Mix dental materials
• Ensure patients’ questions are answered thoroughly before they leave
• Chart patients and record date, service rendered and any charges
• Record any treatment plans on the treatment planner
• Ensure proper treatment notes are recorded in patient’s chart
• Perform clinical procedures as practice act allows and as directed by dentist
• Perform Radiology/ X-rays
• Give patient instruction and demonstrate when necessary
• Notify Treatment Coordinator if a patient should be called in the evening after a difficult appointment
• Calling and scheduling hygiene patients weekly
• Calling and scheduling treatment plan cases
• Look at schedule ahead of time
• Perform other tasks assigned by the dentist and organization
• Present in office products to patients

Treatment Room Management and Sterilization

• Keep dental units ready, stocked and clean
• Keep inventory of supplies
• Oversee cleanliness of the treatment room according to sterilization procedures
• Disinfect treatment rooms according to OSHA regulations
• Sterilize all instruments and handpieces according to OSHA regulations
• Keep trays, instruments and treatment room drawers organized
• Ensure that office sterilization procedures document is on display
• Promptly send out and monitor all dental laboratory cases
• Record all updates on lab cases
• Frequently check on lab cases
• Implement the preventative maintenance/cleaning schedule for dental equipment
• Maintain dental office emergency kits and nitrous and oxygen tanks
• Follow laboratory procedures according to office protocol
• Clean out any machines given by doctors orders

Records Management

• Securely store and handle patient records in compliance with state and federal requirements, including the HIPAA privacy and security regulations
• Accurately file patient information
• Arrange patient charts and radiographs for next day’s appointments
• Track cases and referrals to and from other doctors
• Assist in the administration of the recall system

Inventory Management

• Monitor inventory and order dental office supplies as needed
• Ensure that treatment rooms are stocked at all times

Office Participation

• Help in other areas of the office when necessary (i.e., answering phones, unpacking supplies, moving former patient records, etc.)
• Be an active participant in team meetings
• Promote team concept by interacting with others in the office
• Give ideas during team meetings
• Being honest and coming to the office manager and doctor with any concerns
• Cleaning the office, taking the trash out, doing the dishes, etc. as needed
• Completing tasks assigned by the office manager, doctor, or other employees
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily

PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least 3 years of dental experience
• Graduate of accredited dental assisting program or dental assisting experience preferred
• Coursework in dental instruments and procedures
• Compliance with state dental practice requirements (e.g., x-ray requirements, OSHA training)
• Computer skills [Dentrix ascend]
• Experience taking X-rays
• Commitment to CE for career development

Interpersonal

• Good interpersonal skills to maintain effective rapport with patients, dentists, other staff members and community
• Effective verbal skills to communicate with patients and staff
• Good organizational skills

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Paid time off
• Bonuses

Work Location: In person