Dental Assistant

CERTIFIED DENTAL ASSISTANT (1)

Schedule

One (1) session equals one (1) hour of service. A normal workday will consist of seven (7) sessions, for an estimate of 35 sessions per week and 1,820 sessions per twelve-month period. Sessions shall be scheduled between the hours of 7:30

A.M to 3:00 P.M., Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays), with a 30-minute unpaid lunch period. The facility is expected to require an average of 7 sessions per day. The Dental Assistants schedule shall not exceed 40 hours per

week. The actual hours of work will be determined by the Health Services Administrator and may be adjusted to meet the needs of the institution.

Due to the nature of the correctional setting, delays in performance of work may be experienced. Such delays may include but are not limited to inclement weather, electrical or mechanical problems, or other security matters. When contract employees report to the institution but are unable to perform services due to such delays, the contractor will be paid for one session. Normally, any remaining sessions for that day will be suspended and the contractor will be free to leave

and the contractor will not be paid for the remaining unperformed sessions. However, if the institution requests that the contractor remain at the institution for eventual performance, the contractor shall be paid for such sessions. In the event of any absence, the contractor may make up his/her time providing it does not exceed 35 hours in any given week. If the contractor fails to provide coverage, the Government may seek contractual remedy.

Education and Experience

The Dental Assistant shall possess specialty training from a licensed dentist and/or certification from an accredited Dental Assistant school. Training must include dental radiology and radiology safety. The Dental Assistant shall be certified in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in accordance with the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association and have a minimum of two (2) years of experience providing Dental Assistant services. Bilingual oral communication skills and experience in a clinical correctional setting are desirable. The contractor must specifically identify the individual that will be performing these services along with their quote. The candidates name and documents supporting their qualifications must accompany the quote (resume, photocopies of certificates and etc.)

Health Requirements

The contractor shall ensure the Dental Assistant is free of infectious diseases. Any individual performing as a Dental Assistant under this contract who subsequently develops a medical condition which might reasonably be expected to place other workers, patients, or the public at risk shall be immediately removed from activities requiring performance of invasive procedures and activities which might reasonably be expected to place other workers, patients, or the public

at risk. In any such case, the contractor(s) shall be responsible, at no additional cost to the institution, for securing the services of any replacement personnel required to perform this contract.

Description of Duties

All duties shall be performed in accordance with standards and methods generally accepted within the field of Dental Assistant Services, and compliance with all Federal and State policy and regulations. The contractor shall adhere to all standards and regulations associated with the Joint Commission (JC) and American Correctional Association Foundation/ Core Standards for Adult Correctional Institutions. The contractors performance shall be monitored by the Contracting Officers Representative (COR). The contractor must be able to work with an adult in custody (AIC), formerly known as inmate, population from a variety of cultural, regional, racial and ethnic backgrounds.

The Dental Assistant must possess the ability to collect and track data and enter data into the agencys electronic system and track scheduling of patient care and must have knowledge and experience in maintaining patient medical records and confidentiality.

The contractor is responsible for provision of the services as listed:

• Assists Dental Officer in dental specialty sections: restorative, oral surgery, periodontics, prosthetics, and examinations.
• Retrieve patients records and escorts patients to proper dental specialty section; seats and prepares patients for attending Dental Officer
• Assists Dental Officer by preparing dental instruments, essential materials, drugs, and medications
• Passes instruments, retracts tissues, irrigates oral cavity, and operates aspirator
• Observes patients responses, and assists patient for dismissal from the Dental Clinic
• Gives instructions for subsequent dental appointments
• Makes necessary entries on dental treatment records (both electronic and paper records)
• Prepares dental treatment room for the next patient
• Assists in the treatment of emergency cases.
• Provides dental health education
• Dental prophylaxis
• Dental screening examination
• Preparation of patients for periodontal surgery
• Dental and periodontal charting
• Prepares places, and removes packs
• Places temporary fillings
• Places and removes rubber dams
• Maintains dental equipment
• Cleans, sharpens, and sterilizes instruments
• Performs daily inspection of equipment and makes minor repairs
• Reports defective equipment, or utilizes corrective action
• Performs routine oral prophylaxis of the clinical crowns of teeth
• Uses dental hand instruments, mechanical instruments (including ultrasonic), oral hygiene aides and prophylaxis paste to provide necessary oral prophylactic services
• Prepares entries for patients records
• Selects and applies medication in proper portion and anti-cariogenic agents to surface of teeth Applies medication prescribed by a Dental Officer to gingiva to promote healing
• Fabricates and repairs dental prosthesis and appliances under supervision
• Performs procedures pursuant to fabrication and repair of complete denture prosthesis and removable partial prosthesis
• Uses acrylic resins and porcelain as basic materials
• Takes radiographs of patients using standard and digital dental radiographic, panelipse, cephalometric, and transcranial equipment
• Obtains diagnostic quality periapical, occlusal, lateral, jaw, TMJ, and panographic radiographs
• Correctly positions patient and film
• Determines level of radiation intensity to minimize radiation exposure of patients
• Processes and saves digital radiographs to patient medical records
• Performs quality assurances on radiographic and developing equipment and safelight
• Maintains proper infection control procedures in radiographic techniques
• Sterilizes contaminated biological waste of dental clinic
• Places and finishes dental restorations, including bases and liners

• Make primary impressions and pours casts

• Selects tooth shade for composite restorations and dentures

Specific directions related primarily to unusual treatment concerning emergency professional therapy are given by the attending dentist who explains changes in professional dental procedures that are available to resolve such problems, and render advice as needed. Guidelines consist of applicable professional practices and specific written and oral instructions.