Clinical Dental Assistant - Pediatrics

Market Range: 05

Hiring Salary: $19.10/Hourly

JOB SUMMARY/ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, the Clinical Dental Assistant provides chairside assistance and clinical practice support for faculty, residents, and dental students in the Pediatric Dentistry department. This position rotates between the pediatric dentistry clinics at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and at the College of Dentistry.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides chairside assistance, such as oral evacuations, retractions, and instrument exchange, for faculty members.

2. Ensures the presence of necessary equipment, instruments, and materials for chairside procedures and that working area, instruments, and equipment meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sterilization regulations.

3. Prepares and mixes impression materials. Monitors and maintains the safety of nitrous oxide usage. Exposes, processes, and labels x-ray film.

4. Administers notes in the patient’s record as the doctor dictates his findings.

5. Performs tooth cleaning and applies fluoride to patients. Makes dental impressions and pours models in dental stone.

6. Schedules patients and manages the clinic schedule to promote efficiency. 

7. Answers multi-line phones and makes patient appointments.

8. Performs preventive equipment maintenance.

9. Performs other related duties as assigned.  

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:  

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 

EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of experience working in a dental office or academic institution. Must maintain registration as a licensed dental assistant in the State of Tennessee. Nitrous Oxide Monitoring and Radiology Certification required. (PROOF OF LICENSURE IS REQUIRED). (Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) with the Dental Assistant National Board Certification (DANB) is preferred. Graduate of CODA-accredited school preferred.)

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: A Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in the State of Tennessee, with certification in radiology and nitrous oxide monitoring, is required. Must acquire and maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. Must maintain TN state dental assistant licensure. (PROOF OF LICENSURE IS REQUIRED)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of all areas of dental assisting as outlined by the State of Tennessee Board of Dentistry, to include setup of the operatory, instrument transfer, and correct sequencing of instruments and dental material, according to procedure.
• Ability to provide all supportive services or procedures necessary to protect the physical well-being of the patient during routine treatment procedures and during periods of emergencies, including, but not limited to physical positioning of the patient, monitoring of vital signs, assistance during administration of life-support activities, and any other non-invasive procedures deemed necessary by the supervising dentist to maintain the health and safety of the patient.

WORK SCHEDULE: This position may occasionally work weekends and some holidays.