Dental Assistant

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Interact with patients; monitor client wait times; schedule appointments and conduct follow-up and documentation for missed appointments; act as liaison with treatment staff and providers; address client concerns and take action or refer to appropriate sources; utilize a variety of outreach strategies to increase patient access and engagement.
• Provide direct clinical assistance to dentists and dental hygienists; perform 4-handed dentistry, including passing instruments for operative and oral surgery procedures and mixing filling materials; seat and position patients; anticipate provider needs during treatment; triage patients with urgent needs.
• Ensure instruments, supplies and equipment are set up and available for patient care in operatories; clean operatories including cleaning and sterilizing instruments; maintain strict chain of infection control; perform routine maintenance on dental equipment; remove and send filled sharps containers to laboratory. 
• Instruct patients on oral hygiene and disease prevention; notify dentists of their daily schedules and changes; chart findings and treatment administered; prepare documentation and process referrals; maintain material safety data sheet books.
• Perform alginate impressions and pour models; perform limited laboratory procedures and contact laboratories for pick-ups; use digital x-ray equipment to take diagnostic radiographs.
• In addition to the above duties, the Dental Assistant (EFDA) will: perform child and adult rubber cup oral polishes; mix and apply pit and fissure sealant; polish amalgam restorations; place temporary restorative material in teeth; place and remove matrix retainers for alloy and composite restorations; remove temporary crowns and clean teeth in preparation for final cementation; perform preliminary fitting of crowns.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

LEVEL AND TYPE OF WORK AND/OR SUPERVISION:

Dental Assistant

• Entry level
• Technical
• Perform the more routine duties as assigned with increasing independence.
• Decisions made or actions taken require higher-level review and work is checked for progress and reviewed for quality and compliance to policy and procedures.
• Typically, incumbents may use the entry level to obtain the proficiencies to qualify at the next level in the classification series.
• Receive general supervision from manager or staff.

Dental Assistant (EFDA)

• Journey level
• Technical
• Perform the full range of duties, working independently, applying well-developed subject knowledge, and exercising judgment and initiative.
• Receive occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.
• Fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.
• Work is reviewed based on compliance, appropriateness, and effectiveness in meeting goals and deadlines.
• Receive general supervision from manager or staff.
• Perform Expanded Function Dental Assistant duties as outlined in OAR 818-042-0070.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  Requirements are determined at the time of recruitment based on responsibilities of the individual position and business needs of the department.

Dental Assistant

Training and experience for this entry level, technical classification is typically equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade and up to one (1) year of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 0-1 years of qualifying training and/or experience).

Dental Assistant (EFDA)

Training and experience for this journey level, technical classification is typically equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade and one (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 1-4 years of qualifying training and/or experience).

Depending upon assignment, candidates may be required to pass a criminal background check, have a valid driver license, and /or additional training, licenses, or certificates.

REQUIRED TRAINING, LICENSES, AND/OR CERTIFICATES:

Dental Assistant 

• Radiology Certification within 6 months of hire.
• CPR certification required.

Dental Assistant (EFDA)

• Expanded Function Dental Assistant certificate. 
• Radiology Certification.
• CPR certification required.