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Mora Valley Community Health Services, Inc.
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE
Dental Assistant
DEPARTMENT
Dental
REPORTS TO
Dental Director
SUPERVISES
None
JOB PURPOSE
Provide a full range of support in assisting with dental procedures to
include chair-side assistance, taking radiographs, records management,
coordination of patient treatment with clinic and lab schedule,
sterilization of dental instruments, and provide support to front office
activities.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESULTS
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PROVIDE CHAIRSIDE ASSISTANCE TO DENTIST AND/OR HYGIENIST IN ALL DISCIPLINES OF DENTAL
PROCEDURES IN A TIMELY AND PROFESSIONAL MANNER
INTERVIEW PATIENTS FOR MEDICAL AND DENTAL INFORMATION FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF
PATIENT CARE, AND ACCURATELY RECORDS INFORMATION INTO PATIENT RECORDS
HAS KNOWLEDGE OF DENTAL PROTOCOL TO EDUCATE AND ADVISE PATIENTS ON SPECIFIC DENTAL
TREATMENT/ISSUES, AND GIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ONGOING DENTAL TREATMENT AND
MAINTENANCE OF ORAL HEALTH
ACCURATELY OBTAIN PATIENT RADIOGRAPHS, MANAGE PLACEMENT INTO PT RECORD AND
ELECTRONICALLY RECORDS TREATMENT AND CHANGES AS DICTATED BY THE DENTIST OR OFFICE
POLICY
USING INFECTION CONTROL METHODS AND OSHA GUIDELINES, WILL MAINTAIN STRICT STANDARDS OF
DISINFECTION AND STERILIZATION WHERE NECESSARY IN OPERATORIES, ON EQUIPMENT, IN
STERILIZATION AREA, AND IN PROCESSING OF CONTAMINATED INSTRUMENTS
MONITOR AND MAINTAIN DENTAL EQUIPMENT IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION IN ACCORDANCE WITH
MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTIONS AND CLINIC GUIDELINES
PRATICE SAFETY, ENVIORNMENTAL, AND INFECTION CONTROL METHODS AT ALL TIMES
PERFORM VARIOUS JOB-RELATED DUTIES PER REQUEST OR AS ASSIGNED
PARTICIPATE IN QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES
TRACK AND COORDINATE ROUTINE TASKS
MAINTAIN PROFESSIONALISM AT ALL TIMES TO ENSURE SERVICE QUALITY AND INTEGRITY
CONTRIBUTE TO TEAM EFFORT BY ACCOMPLISHING RELATED TASKS AS NEEDED OR REQUESTED
UPDATED: JE 7-15-13
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REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Job Qualifications
Education:
Dental Assisting Certificate
State of NM Board of Dental Health Radiology Licensure
Bilingual English/Spanish Preferred
Experience:
One year experience in dental procedures, dental assisting, instrument sterilization,
accurate film placement for obtaining x-rays.
Skills and Abilities
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Knowledge of dental procedures and use of dental instruments in preventive, operative, endodontic,
prosthetic and oral surgery
Interviewing skills in obtaining medical and dental histories and relevant information for diagnosis and
treatment of dental issues
Ability to evaluate and anticipate patient needs for triage and records medications as prescribed to
patient per dentist request
Ability to accurately record relevant information into patient records from scheduled appointments,
charting of dental history and treatment plans, and follow clinic guidelines for posting completed
procedures
Ability to coordinate future treatment for patient appointments in accordance with lab schedules,
treatment financing, and office protocol
Ability to educate patients as to the nature of dental issues, and provide instruction for proper home-care
post treatment
Knowledge and ability to perform infection control standards in the operatory before and after patient
treatment.
Ability to process contaminated instruments and maintain infection control standards by following clinic
procedures and OSHA guidelines.
Ability and willingness to coordinate a schedule to participate in maintaining/cleaning dental equipment
in assigned operatory and throughout clinic as indicated by office policy or dictated by manufacturer
instructions for maintenance. Will keep current log of equipment maintenance
Has knowledge of supplies held in inventory and assists in inventory management practices by informing
others of need to reorder dwindling supplies
Other duties as assigned
Desire and ability to serve the community and its residents
Share in and contribute to MVCHS mission, vision, and goals
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
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Work is performed in an interior medical/dental clinical environment
Moderate physical activity, handling average weight objects up to 25 pounds
Sitting, standing or walking more than 6 hours per day
Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require
following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment
Will work with blood or blood-borne pathogens and will require OSHA training
OSHA training
UPDATED: JE 7-15-13
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Qualifications for Employment
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Pre-employment physical examination/medical history check
Provide documentation of HEP B vaccination/completed series. MVCHS will provide vaccination or waiver
BLS/ CPR certification
Proof of documentation of being free of Tuberculosis
Background investigation
Drug testing – Initial and Random
State of NM Board of Dental Health Licensure in Dental Radiography
EMPLOYEE/SUPERVISORY REVIEW
I have read this job description and understand the requirements of the job and the work to be
performed. I agree to perform the duties and responsibilities described. I assert that I am able
to perform the essential job functions and meet the physical requirements of this position.
Furthermore, I understand this is not an employment contract.
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Employee’s Signature
Date
I have reviewed this job description with this employee, and agree that it is an accurate
description of the duties and responsibilities to be performed.
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Supervisor’s Signature
UPDATED: JE 7-15-13
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