"Senior Dental Assistant"

Job Summary

The Senior Dental Assistant performs extra-oral chair-side assisting duties in all phases of disciplines of dentistry in the Dental Associates clinic, including emergency dentistry, restorative, pediatric, orthodontic, prosthodontic, endodontic, oral surgery, implant surgeries, and periodontics assisting. Other related work will also be required, including, but not limited to, preventive and daily maintenance of dental operators and equipment, clerical assignments, and radiological and receptionist responsibilities. Performs dental laboratory duties, including but not limited to pouring and trimming molds and fabricating bleaching trays, mouth guards, splints, and night guards. Serves as a liaison for patients, staff, students, residents, and faculty within the Dental College. Working in a high-volume, fast-paced environment involving many different procedures in multiple dentistry disciplines.

Responsibilities

The duties include, but are not limited to:

• CHAIR SIDE ASSISTANCE: Assist dental students, residents, and/or faculty at the chair side as anticipated or required in all phases of dentistry, utilizing techniques for 4-handed dentistry. Place matrix bands & wedges; Keeps area of operation clear using high speed evacuator, suction tip and irrigation, retracts tissue, tongue and cheek; Maintains aseptic condition and stabilizes tissue in surgical procedures; Etch, prime, bond for composite; CPD & FPO framework try-in; Cementation of crown & bridge; Place retraction cord; Assists with border molds; Implant Surgeries; Polish coronal portion of the tooth; Place packing for dry socket; Hybrid dentures; Fabricate crowns and clean Provisionals after cementation; 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 AND INSTRUCTION: Cleaning, packing, and maintaining instruments and equipment required, including sending to and retrieving from central sterilization as needed for daily production. Ensure all implant kits (surgical and restorative) are complete and in good working order. Prepares sterile trays for surgical procedures. Exercises skill in motivating the patient to engage in preventive dental care practices by providing instruction, including demonstrations in brushing and flossing techniques, and explaining the common causes of tooth decay. Answers questions for a clear understanding of treatment.
• LABORATORY DUTIES: Laboratory duties include pouring prosthodontic models from impressions, cleaning and trimming models, boxing and waxing impressions; constructing custom impression trays, night guards, mouth guards, bleaching trays, polishing denture and prosthodontic appliances, and making bite rims. Also, take face bows and mount the cast with face bows to obtain proper occlusion for cast restorations and reline dentures with hard and soft materials.
• RADIOGRAPHY: Performs a full range of dental radiography work. Operates dental x-ray equipment to include taking routine and specialized radiographs as requested. Take panorex, periapical occlusal, lateral, jaw, and extra-oral radiographs as required. Develops and mounts radiographs into the patient electronic recording Axium. Communicates with the patient, explaining the purpose of the procedure and answering any concerns regarding dental radiographs.
• MOORE CLINIC: Required to be a lead dental assistant for the Moore Clinic.
• PRN: Charts findings into the software system as recorded by the dentist and updates medical health histories. Assist in appointing patients for follow-up care. Assist in other department areas as needed. Assist with fabricating select items for various pre-clinical courses.
• Follow all published guidelines regarding personal protective gear and clinical infection control protocol established by federal, state, Augusta University, or Dental College of Georgia policies. This includes but is not limited to proper disposal of syringes, needles, and scalpel blades, proper handling of contaminated items, and proper disposal of hazardous materials.
• Provide dental assisting services to as needed with Health Fairs both on campus and off campus. This may be assisting faculty with screenings or providing educational materials to participants, answering questions, and promoting the Dental College.
• Follow the organization's incident reporting protocol in case of a medical emergency. Be prepared to perform certain procedures until professional help is available.
• Preparing the operator for treatment. Laying out correct instruments & specific materials as required for the procedure, setting up, and draping the patient, explaining to the patient the treatment procedures to be done, mixing material for impression & restoration, or assembling syringes for anesthesia. May require setting up an operator for surgery, ensuring all fields are appropriately draped, and creating a sterile environment. Assist in other specialty areas when needed, as the work schedule allows.
• Provide dental assisting services to off-campus sites where dental education/services are performed by the Dental College of Georgia/Augusta University as needed. This requires personal transportation to and from these sites with mileage reimbursement.
• Required to work ADEX (CRDTS) and Mock boards, as well as other special board certification exercises, throughout the year as needed. This can involve weekend work.
• OTHER DUTIES: Perform all other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent from a recognized state or federal accrediting organization with two years of related experience. OR Certified Dental Assistant and/or Associate's degree from an accredited college or university with one year of experience in dentistry. OR One year of experience as a Dental Assistant at the Dental College of Georgia. OR Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with dental knowledge.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with dental knowledge, graduation from a Certified Dental Assisting program, CPR certified and Intraoral Radiographic Certification; 2 years of experience in dental assisting in a general dentistry practice, to include previous experience mixing dental materials, taking x-rays, chair side dental assisting skills/knowledge in multiple dental disciplines such as operative, crown and bridge, removable prosthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, surgery, and pediatric dentistry. 1.) CPR Certified 2.) Training with radiological safety 3.) Proficient in understanding and speaking Spanish in a clinical setting 4.) Must be a certified Dental Surgical Anesthesia Assistant or obtain certification as a dental surgical anesthesia assistant within the first year of employment. 5.) A minimum of two years of previous experience as a dental assistant to include previous experience mixing dental materials, taking x-rays, chair side assisting skills/knowledge in multiple dental disciplines (Prosthodontic, Oral Surgery, Esthetic, Endodontic, Pediatric, Orthodontic or Periodontics assisting)

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

KNOWLEDGE Knowledge of the oral bony structure of the face and taking diagnostic dental radiographs. Detailed knowledge of tooth anatomy. Knowledge of dental instruments to determine serviceability and need for replacement. Knowledge of basic dental lab assisting procedures and practices. Knowledge and skill to detect adverse reactions to dental treatment. Knowledge of 4-handed dentistry. SKILLS Customer service and communication skills. Detailed and team-oriented. ABILITIES Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to transition between multiple dentists and assist with different types of procedures among different dental disciplines. Requires immediate and extreme flexibility and adaptability to ever-changing procedures. Ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced environment and maintain composure and treatment under pressure.