Dental Assistant

The American Dental Hygienists' Association; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dental professional organization is seeking a staff dental assistant in Lexington, Kentucky. The role involves providing direct patient care, including dental imaging, sterilization, and clerical duties, while ensuring infection control and compliance with safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Requires proper certification as a dental assistant.
• Knowledge of infection control procedures is essential.
• Experience in dental imaging is highly valuable.

Responsibilities

• Perform dental imaging and ensure diagnostic quality.
• Maintain infection control and sterilization protocols.
• Assist with clerical functions and patient scheduling.

Skills

Infection Control

Patient Monitoring

Dental Imaging

Clerical Skills

Patient Education

Education

Dental Assistant Certification

Job description

Summary

Serves as staff dental assistant at the full performance level for routine patient care and performs a full range of duties with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist. Performs assigned selected procedures with some independence and performs complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor.

Duties

• Dental Imaging: Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e
• TMJ - ceph - cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider - Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized - Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories
• Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination
• Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization
• Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment
• Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
• Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments
• This includes clerical functions such as receiving and making telephone calls - scheduling appointments from RTC orders - and entering RTC orders when necessary
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Assist dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records
• Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
• Follows computer security regulations
• Patient Safety: Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)
• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients
• Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements
• Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress
• Employee Education: Complies with Employee Education requirements
• Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions
• Dental Laboratory Functions: Pours impressions and prepares study models
• Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims
• Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays
• Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow
• Direct Patient Care: Monitors patient vital signs (BP - pulse - pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure
• Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site - Applies topical fluoride
• Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication
• Provides postoperative and other appropriate patient education
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 30003-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized