MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education – High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required.

Experience – A minimum of ten (10) years of experience as a dental assistant.

Licenses & Certification –Completion of training from an accredited school as a Dental Assistant and/or certificates of training received from the Oklahoma State Board of Dentistry or IHS is preferred. DANB Certified Dental Assistant Certificate is preferred.

Knowledge & Skills –

1. Knowledge of the proper techniques to care for all dental equipment and instruments as well as their proper sterilization and storage.

2. Knowledge of instruments and materials used in routine dental procedures.

3. Knowledge of dental terminology and record keeping to accurately record dental treatment information.

4. Knowledge of sterilization techniques.

5. Ability to pass dental instruments and materials and operate oral suction and retraction instruments while assisting with dental procedures.

6. Knowledge of steps and techniques required for the placement of sealants on teeth.

7. Knowledge and skill in tooth isolation techniques required to maintain a dry field for placement of restorations and sealants.

8. Knowledge of procedures for appointing and routing patients for dental treatment

9. Knowledge of ordering supplies and requesting dental laboratory services.

JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of this position is to supervise dental assistant staff in a variety of clerical, housekeeping, and clinical functions, which aids the dental teams in the performance of their assigned duties. The dental assistant supervisor benefits the designated population through providing adequate supervisory skills and dental services. Incumbent is supervised by the dentist who is designated as the dental clinic supervisor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a dental clinic setting located within an ambulatory health care clinic. Work involves exposure to communicable diseases, radiation and flying debris, nitrous oxide, fumes and dust from dental laboratory materials, and intense blue light emissions, therefore mask, lead aprons, protective eye wear and surgical gloves are needed. Incumbent must be aware of all risks involved and be willing to take precautions as requested and required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work requires constant sitting, standing, walking, and bending in performing duties of the position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Satisfactory job performance will be determined by successful execution of the following:

1. Supervise dental assistant staff to include work scheduling, attendance, work breaks, timekeeping, preparation of web timesheets, and leave requests. Any changes involving web timesheets must be reported to the dental clinic supervisor.

2. Responsible for completing the dental assistant’s annual performance evaluations.

3. All disciplinary actions and related issues for dental assistants will be implemented and enforced through the dental assistant supervisor. Actions involving probation, suspension, or termination will be conducted under the direct supervision of the dental clinic supervisor and/or the health administrator.

4. Receive reports regarding equipment malfunctions and generate appropriate work orders as needed.

5. Provide chair side assistance during dental procedures such as taking and recording blood pressure etc.

6. May schedule and seat dental patients, set up proper instruments for dental procedures and accurately record treatment rendered in the electronic dental record.

7. Takes preliminary impressions for study models, removes sutures, places surgical gauze following extraction, places and removes rubber dam.

8. Pours and trims models under direct supervision of the dentist.

9. Responsible for cleaning, sharpening, packaging, and sterilization procedures on all dental equipment and their proper storage when not in use.

10. Correctly exposes, processes, and mounts intra and extra‑oral radiographs.

11. Provides those aspects of dental prophylaxis requiring the use of toothbrush and/or rubber cup for coronal polishing, removal of soft debris and application of topical fluoride treatment with documentation of expanded function certification through the Oklahoma Dental Board.

12. Places pit and fissure sealants with documentation of expanded function certification through the Oklahoma Dental Board and under direct supervision of the dentist.

13. Properly stores supplies and replenishes when necessary. Requisitions supplies in absence of delegated assistant.

14. Relays to patient post treatment instructions as well as motivating and instructing patients in proper home care and disease prevention techniques.

15. Maintains dental clinic in a clean and orderly manner. Provides routine maintenance on all dental equipment.

16. Coordinates externships and clinical rotations at facility with schools and other dental assisting programs. This includes conducting interviews with students, tracking student timesheets, and communicating with instructors as needed.

17. Coordinates staff dental assistants and students for instruction on chair side assisting, radiology techniques, sterilization, infection prevention procedures, and provisions of a safe work environment.

18. Conducts interviews in conjunction with dental clinic supervisor, staff dentists, and health administrator for hiring of new dental assistants, laboratory technicians, and front desk personnel.

19. Coordinates employee orientation training of new dental assistant staff.

20. Coordinates certification of staff dental assistants and ensures all dental assistants maintain current CPR certification, licensures, and required competencies for accreditation.

21. May be required to prepare monthly reports, daily reports and schedule patients in the absence of office coordinator and receptionist.

22. Incumbent will be responsible to communicate changes in policies and procedures to all dental assistants and other relevant dental staff as received in writing from the dental clinic supervisor or the MCN Department of Health.

23. May be required to participate in quality improvement activities and internal studies.

24. Regular attendance is required.

25. Performs other duties as required.