"Dental Assistant"

Dental Assistant

Job ID: 294187

Location: Augusta University
Our Health Sciences Campus:
1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912
Our Summerville Campus:
2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904

Full/Part Time: Full Time

College/Department Information

The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, we provide dental education to the next generation of professionals by offering hands-on education through innovative research, patient care, and service. Join other dental providers to improve the oral health of Georgia and beyond. The DCG was founded to provide the people of Georgia with quality dental care by educating students in dentistry. As a patient, you have the option to receive treatment in one of our three different practice models consisting of student clinics, resident care, or in the faculty practice. All dental treatments can be completed by the specialists in our facility. We also serve patients in more than 20 clinics across Georgia.

Responsibilities

The duties include, but are not limited to:

CHAIR SIDE ASSISTANCE: Assist dental students, residents and/or faculty in the treatment of patients requiring emergency restorative, prosthodontics, periodontics, endodontics and/or oral surgery. Participate in 4 handed dentistry. Assist chair side with air, water and instruments. Mixing various materials as required. Assist in the management of difficult problems such as the apprehensive patient and/or the pre-medicated adult. Assist in the placement of rubber dam. Prepare local anesthetic syringe. Dispose of all sharps in designated sharps container after patient dismissed. Use mouth mirror for indirect vision retraction. Gently extract patient's cheek, adjusting mirror position to avoid pressure on oral structures. Perform high volume evacuation. Handle carefully not to move during instrument or hand piece use. Follow all published guidelines regarding personal protective gear and clinical infection control protocol, i.e. Aware of the MSDS sheets, handle and dispose of hazardous materials.

INSTRUMENTS & INSTRUCTION: Operates dental x-ray equipment to include taking routine and specialized radiographs as requested. Explain purpose of procedure to patients. Explain and place protective lead apron. Obtains and stores dental and special supplies. Assigned operatories are kept clean and stocked. Maintains dental equipment in a clean operative condition on a daily basis. Cleaning, packaging, and maintaining instruments and equipment required including sending and retrieving from central sterilization as needed for daily production.
Using organizational software and assisting in appointing patients for follow-up care. Follow the organization's incident reporting protocol. Ensure ordering and inventory control of supplies, equipment, and dental instruments required for assigned clinics.

OTHER: Perform other job duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent from a recognized state or federal accrediting organization with one year of related experience.

OR

Certified Dental Assistant and/or Associate's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in an applicable related field of study.

Preferred Qualifications

Graduation from a certified Dental Assisting program with three years of experience to include previous experience mixing dental materials, taking x-rays, chair side dental assisting skills/knowledge in multiple dental disciplines.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of oral bony structure of the face and taking diagnostic dental radiographs
Detailed knowledge of tooth anatomy.
Knowledge of dental instruments. Determine serviceability and need for replacement.
Knowledge of basic dental lab assisting procedures and practices.
Knowledge and skills to detect adverse reactions to dental treatment.
Knowledge of 4-handed dentistry.

SKILLS
Required immediate and extreme flexibility and adaptability to ever-changing procedures, methods, and personalities.

ABILITIES
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to select and place rubber dam clamps.
Ability to transition between multiple dentists and assist with different types of procedures among different dental disciplines.
Ability to work in high volume, fast paced environments and maintain composure and treatment under pressure.

Conditions of Employment

All selected candidates are required to successfully pass a Background Check review prior to starting with Augusta University.

If applicable for the specific position based on the duties: the candidate will also need to have a credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage.

Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive an Augusta University vehicle.

For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.

All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive [patient, student, employee, financial, business, etc.] information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond.