<p>POSITION SUMMARY</p> <p>The Dental Assistant provides chair-side assistance to a licensed dentist and also performs other clerical duties to support the Clinic.</p> <p>KEY RESPONSIBILITIES</p> <ul> <li>Retracts patient's cheek, tongue and other tissue; removes water syringes. </li><li>Takes, exposes, and develops x-rays of the mouth, gums, jaws, and/or teeth. </li><li>Applies topical medications; places rubber dams in patient's mouth; removes excess cement from and adjacent to crowns, bridges, and orthodontic bands; places matrix bands; removes and replaces ligature wires; removes sutures. </li><li>Performs dietary and salivary analysis and infection control procedures. </li><li>Demonstrates oral care procedures and techniques; charts patient's mouth. </li><li>Flushes evacuation system with chemical cleaners. </li><li>Completes reports and maintains records </li><li>Schedules recalls and appointments. </li><li>Orders supplies and equipment and keeps accurate inventory; orders repairs on dental equipment; researches prices and equipment specifications. </li><li>May perform other duties as required. </li></ul> <p>Expanded Functions</p> <ul> <li>Practices coronal polishing; mechanically polishes restorations. </li><li>Places and removes temporary restorations. </li><li>Monitors patient while nitrous oxide is being administered. </li><li>Applies pit and fissure sealants. </li></ul> <p>JOBS THIS POSITION DIRECTLY SUPERVISES</p> <p>If no supervisory duties, leave blank.</p> <p>POSITION REQUIREMENTS</p> <p>Education: High school diploma plus Registered Dental Assistant Program along with Expanded Functions education</p> <p>Experience: One to two years experience performing fundamental and expanded duties of a certified dental assistant as outlined by the Tennessee State Board of Dentistry; experience completing dental radiographs and alginate impressions; and experience performing clerical duties associated with a dental office.</p> <p>Licenses or Certifications: Certified to practice as an expanded function Dental Assistant as stipulated by the Laws and Administrative Rules of the Tennessee State Board of Dentistry. CPR Certification is required.</p> <p>Mental Requirements</p> <p>Level 1 - Requires some concentration and normal attention. Generally, once the job is learned, the tasks can be performed more or less automatically.</p> <p>X</p> <p>Level 2 - Requires high periods of concentration intermittently and normal attention. Generally, even once the job is learned, tasks will require normal attention to deal with recurring variables.</p> <p>Level 3 - Requires a high level of concentration and high level of attention intermittently. Generally, the approach to tasks may be consistent, but the number of steps required and/or the number of variables involved creates the possibility of errors unless the incumbent pays close attention.</p> <p>Physical Requirements</p> <p>Activity</p> <p>Approximate % of Time</p> <p>Comments</p> <p>Sitting</p> <p>30%</p> <p>May sit while assisting dentist, working the front desk, or working on computer</p> <p>Standing</p> <p>30%</p> <p>Assisting the dentist, sterilizing instruments, taking x-rays, pulling files</p> <p>Walking</p> <p>40%</p> <p>Greeting patients, taking x-rays, getting supplies</p> <p>100%</p> <p>Approximate percentage of time spent lifting, pulling and/or pushing: 15%</p> <p>Maximum number of pounds required (with or without assistance): 30 lbs.</p> <p>Types of objects the incumbent is required to lift/pull/push. Patients in wheelchairs, boxes of supplies, moving the patient chair</p> <p>Machines and Equipment Used:</p> <p>Machines, Equipment, Tools</p> <p>Approximate % of Time</p> <p>Degree of Hand:Eye Coordination Required</p> <ul> <li>Dental Chairs </li></ul> <p>50%</p> <p>High</p> <ul> <li>Dental x-ray machine </li></ul> <p>50%</p> <p>High</p> <ul> <li>Computers </li></ul> <p>50%</p> <p>High</p> <ul> <li>Dental instruments </li></ul> <p>50%</p> <p>High</p> <ul> <li>Autoclave </li></ul> <p>50%</p> <p>High</p> <ul> <li>Processor </li></ul> <p>50%</p> <p>High</p> <p>Approximate percentage of time incumbent spends in "on-the-job" travel, excluding commuting to regular work location: 25% travel between various work sites</p> <p>Working Conditions</p> <p>Exposure to fumes from chemicals (developer fixer); intense light under the dental light; exposure to varying weather conditions when traveling between worksites; exposure to contagious and infectious disease; possible burns from the autoclave.</p>