Dental Assistant (#MDCZ02)
$31,546.00 Yearly Min / $39,433.00 Yearly Mid / $47,320.00 Yearly Max

An incumbent reports to a technical supervisor. Work includes preparing clients for treatment, chairside assisting, taking and developing dental radiographs, and providing post-care instruction. Incumbents are responsible for sterilizing and maintaining instruments and equipment. In addition, the incumbent performs administrative duties in support of patient management for a dental clinic attached to a skilled nursing facility.

An incumbent reports to a technical supervisor. Work includes preparing clients for treatment, chairside assisting, taking and developing dental radiographs, and providing post-care instruction. Incumbents are responsible for sterilizing and maintaining instruments and equipment. In addition, the incumbent performs administrative duties in support of patient management for a dental clinic.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Assists dentist and/or dental hygienist during chairside procedures including but not limited to operative, preventive, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic, limited orthodontics, and oral surgery.
• Keeps oral areas clean during dental procedures by using retraction, suction, and irrigation.
• Prepares and assists with utilization of dental materials and sets up instruments for each procedure.
• Takes and develops radiographs.
• Disinfects environmental surfaces of the operatory which includes sterilization of instruments and equipment in accordance with federal, state, and institutional standards for infection control and safety.
• Organizes and maintains  dental instruments, dental equipment and maintenance logs.
• Provides patient or parent education and oral hygiene instructions such as tooth brushing and flossing under direction of dentist and/or dental hygienist.
• Greets patients and answers telephones. Coordinates scheduling for patient's appointments, ensuring a full schedule of patients and reducing missed appointments.
• Maintains patient records (paper and electronic) by entering, updating, modifying and retrieving client information into an established information system. Confirms insurance eligibility.
• Records charting, examination, and treatment information as relayed by the dentist or designated clinical staff.
• Updates dental records to include information such as CDT codes, diagnosis codes, date of service and billing.
• Maintains inventory and orders supplies for the clinic's operation.
• May assist in training dental assistant trainees and volunteers.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of four-handed dentistry.
• Knowledge of applicable federal or state standards, regulations, policies and procedures for client care.
• Knowledge of dental instrument and equipment maintenance.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of dental radiology and safety procedures and protocols.
• Knowledge of assisting the dentist in medical and dental emergencies.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
• Skill in recording patient blood pressure.  
• Skill in chairside dentistry.
• Skill in preparation of dental materials.
• Skill in infection control procedures and techniques in accordance with federal or state laws, rules, and regulations.
• Skill in filing and searching files or records for information.
• Skill in verifying, recording, processing and compiling data accurately and resolving discrepancies in records.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to work with physically and mentally handicapped clients.
• Ability to help clients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
• Ability to recognize basic dental emergencies for scheduling purposes.
• Ability to train others to use proper methods and procedures.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Dental Assistant
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
 

1. Possession of a Delaware Dental Radiation Technician Certification or a Dental Radiation Technologist Certification from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
2. Possession of a Valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).