NEEDED: DENTAL ASSISTANT

LOCATION:1299 Seaside Ave San Pedro, California 90731

SCHEDULE: Monday – Friday, 5:00 AM – 3:30 PM, not to exceed 40 hours per week.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Should possess specialty training from a licensed dentist and/or certification from an accredited Dental Assistant school.
• Training must include dental radiology and radiology safety.
• Shall be certified in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in accordance with the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association
• Must have a minimum of two (2) years of experience providing Dental Assistant services.
• Bilingual oral communication skills and experience in clinical correctional setting are desirable, but not required.
• Must possess the ability to collect and track data and enter data into the agency's electronic system and track scheduling of patient care and must have knowledge and experience in maintaining patient medical records and confidentiality.

 DUTIES: as listed, but not limited to the following:

• Assists the Dental Officer in dental specialty sections: restorative, oral surgery, periodontics, prosthetics, and examinations.
• Enter patient information into the Bureau Electronic Medical Record (BEMR).
• Retrieve the patient's records and escorts patients to proper dental specialty section.
• Maintains the security and vigilance of the dental instruments/syringes/needles.
• Conducts proper cleaning technique of surface areas to prepare for the patient.
• Seats and prepares patient 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 patient's responses,
• Assists patient for dismissal from 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; and assists in the treatment of emergency cases. Dental health education; dental prophylaxis; dental screening examination; and preparation of patients for periodontal surgery, dental charting, periodontal charting; preparing placing, and removing packs, placing temporary fillings, placing and removing rubber dams.
• Assures all dental supplies are stocked, maintained and not expired; will assure supply requests are prepared and submitted to the Health Services Assistant.
• Will conduct dental tool inventory and needle/syringe inventory and report any discrepancy to the Dental Officer immediately.
• Will conduct and maintain bin card inventory for flammable/hazardous material.
• Maintains dental equipment; cleans, sharpens, and sterilizes instruments; and 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 patient's records.
• Selects and applies medication in proper portion and anticariogenic agents to surface of teeth; and 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; and using 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; and 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; and is responsible for maintaining proper infection control procedures in radiographic techniques; and sterilizes contaminated biological waste of dental clinic.
• 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.
• Expanded duties will include placing and finishing dental restorations, including bases and liners.
• Making primary impressions and pouring of the casts. Tooth shade selection for composite restorations and dentures.
• Maintains patient spreadsheet that tracks new patients to assure inmates receive dental examinations within 14 days.

BENEFITS: Competitive hourly pay rate, accrued vacation, accrued sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, 401K opportunity, and Healthcare benefits contributions.