Dental Assistant PRN

48 PRN Dental Assistant

Mon and Thurs, 8:00am - 4:00pm

A unique opportunity to provide oral health care to patients with special needs in the Chattanooga community. The dental assistant works under the license of the clinic dentist and under the scope of practice described by the Department of Health of the State of Tennessee and the Tennessee Board of Dentistry.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures.
• Take and develop dental radiographs (x-rays).
• Complete patient's medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse.
• Serving as an infection control officer, developing infection control protocol, and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment.
• Assess patients comfort level before, during, and after dental treatment.
• Providing patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling).
• Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health; e.g., tooth brushing, flossing, and nutritional counseling.
• Taking impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth).
• Perform office management tasks that often require the use of a personal computer.
• Communicate with patients and order supplies (e.g., scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, billing, and ordering supplies).
• Provide direct patient care in all dental specialties, including orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and oral surgery.
• Foster an interest, understanding, and behavior that is consistent with the philosophy, ethics, practice, and communication for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Adhere to all laws relating to HIPPA and related patient confidentiality protection.
• Participate in the training of staff, students, families, and patients.
• Maintain SDS.
• Housekeeping.
• Perform all duties related to and requested by the dentist and dental hygienists as needed.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures of the Dental Clinic at Orange Grove Center, as well as the policies and procedures required of all Orange Grove Center staff.
• Other duties not specified above that are related to the efficient operation of the primary care practice. This may include interfacing with medical informatics, billing, coding, and related administrative staffers.
• Maintain an understanding of current and changing laws, mandates, deadlines, and policies related to the operation of the labs, inventory, equipment, and maintenance of the physical components of the clinic.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education: The Dental Assistant must hold an active registration as a "Dental Assistant" from the Tennessee Board of Dentistry (and meet all criteria pursuant to T.C.A , et seq., and Rules et seq.) This would include completion of all pertinent studies from a Tennessee accredited institution of higher learning offering the training as a Dental Assistant), radiology certification, and polishing certification.

Experience: One year's experience working in dental clinic environment.

Physical Requirements: Successful completion of the required physical examination given by a physician approved by Orange Grove Center.

Supervisory Structure: The assistant will report to the Dentist for dentistry and be responsible for carrying out the policies and procedures of the Orange Grove Center Dental Clinic. Assistant will report to Director of Healthcare Services for all administrative matters.

Job Requirements: 90-Day Evaluation Period. All Orange Grove Center required training and orientation.