Registered Dental Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities

Welcome and escort patient from reception area to and from the treatment areas. Schedule appointments and assist in appointment confirmation calls.
Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patient.
Recognize signs of a dental emergency, and insure proper and timely response and notification to patient, staff, and emergency medical personnel when necessary.
Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
Pour, trim, and polish study casts, fabricate custom impression trays from preliminary impressions, clean and polish removable appliances and fabricate temporary restorations.
Assist in Hygiene Department as needed and within delegable duties and functions guidelines such as coronal polishing, placement of pit and fissure sealants.
Place bases, liners, and bonding agents.
Test pulp vitality and record findings.
Apply bleaching agents and activate with non-laser light curing device. Adjust dentures extraorally.
Chemically prepare teeth for bonding.
Additional responsibilities in accordance with the delegable duties allowable by state.
Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by Dentist.
Sterilize and disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials and assist dentist during dental procedures.
Learn and comply with state and Federal OSHA laws, infection control, safety standards in the dental office and operatory, including but not limited to: wearing personal protective (PPE) barriers such as gloves, scrubs, and eye wear; disinfecting and sterilizing instruments and treatment areas; and disposing properly of contaminated or bio-hazardous waste/materials.
Learn and comply with Coast Dental’s administrative procedures.
Insure review and completion of documentation, including but not limited to: accurate and current medical history, medical alerts, and signed consent forms.
Document/chart all dental procedures performed during each patient visit according to dentist’s instructions and legal requirements.
Effectively provide dental education and information to insure patient awareness of dental health and continuing treatment.
Effectively present to patient the dental treatment plan and proposed plan for continuing treatments in professional and confidential manner.
Communicate with the patient all treatment to be rendered and financial obligation prior to starting procedure to avoid patient conflict. Understand and explain insurance benefits and financial options to patients in non-clinical terms.
Ensure treatment rooms are appropriately equipped and stocked with inventory and re-order when necessary.
Notify Office Manager of equipment trouble/need for a trouble ticket or general safety concerns.
Understand and agree to maintain production standards.
Effectively utilize and maintain a system of contact for patient follow-up/re-care.
Maintain professional working environment within office team.
Attend and participate in morning huddles, chart reviews and regular office meetings.
Adhere to OSHA compliant uniform attire and basic personal hygiene standards per Company policy.
Attend continuing education and training seminars as scheduled.
Understand and abide by HIPAA regulations and maintain confidentiality.
Follow policies listed in the employee manual to ensure consistent standards.
Maintain a constant line of communication with the Office Manager to establish monetary goals and insurance concerns.
Assist in the office cleaning, trash disposal and trouble ticket submission to correct any office maintenance issues.