Dental Assistant - Pedi Dental

Summary:

The dental assistant is responsible for chair-side assisting on pediatric patients. The Dental Clinic Coordinator will also assign the dental assistant on a rotating basis to either front-desk management or general clinical administration such as insurance processing. The assistant is responsible for the preparation for sterilization of any instruments, hand pieces and other equipment used during dental procedures.

Responsibilities:

• Chair-side assisting in the daily treatment of pediatric patients. Hands instruments to dentist, irrigates oral cavity, and suctions as necessary.
• Maintain equipment and supplies:
• Cleaning and maintenance of hand piece, vacuums units, laboratory equipment, x-ray equipment and processor. Deliver instruments to Central
• Supply for sterilization and picking them up the next day.
• Maintenance of supplies. Insure that all rooms are stocked and that an inventory is kept for resupply.
• Scheduling of patients, coordinating appointments of patients between clinics, mailing appointment cards, and ensuring recall cards are mailed to patients that are due.
• Administrative duties to include filing of Medicaid and private insurance claims, appeal and follow-up on denied claims by various insurance carriers.
• Orient and teach dental assisting extern students assigned to you for their externship about the dental clinic and how to manage pediatric patients. Observe their practice and evaluate them on their clinical skills.
• Orient UT Pediatric dental residents rotating through the clinic. Assist them in patient management and coordinate with attending dentist.
• Compile clinic list and distribute to registration and medical records two days prior to clinic. Obtain all dental charts daily for patients to be seen that day.
• Checks charts to ensure that all procedures are recorded and that the charts meet Santa Rosa Hospital's requirements for documentation. Prepare and ensure there are enough new patient charts available.
• Ensure all charges are recorded on master charge slips and all private insurance and private pay patients receive a cost estimate for services to be preformed.
• Maintain accurate records of drugs used daily and ensure correct signatures are obtained.
• Attempt to contact the parents of failed or canceled appointments and reschedule.
• Provide instructions and/or verify that patient/parent has received instructions on their childs procedure and further care.
• Make cleaning solution changes and keep a weekly log of such.
• Demonstrates competence to perform assigned patient care responsibilities in a manner that meets the age specific and developmental needs of patients served by the department.
• Appropriately adapts assigned patient assessment, treatment, and/or care methods to accommodate the unique physical, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual, age specific and other developmental needs of each patient served.
• Takes personal responsibility to ensure compliance with all policies, procedures and standards as promulgated by state and federal agencies, the hospital, and other regulatory entities.
• Performs all duties in a manner that protects the confidentiality of patients and does not solicit or disclose any confidential information unless it is necessary in the performance of assigned job duties.
• Demonstrates adherence to the CORE values of Santa Rosa Health Care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

EDUCATION:

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be a graduate of an accredited dental assistant school.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least one year experience required in a clinical setting in pediatrics preferred.
• Working knowledge of dental procedures preferred.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

• Certified dental assistant. (provided by dental school upon completion of program - not an exam) which includes x-ray education

Work Type:

Full Time