Dental Assistant

The Dental Assistant is a member of the Dental Service, which provides restorative, endodontic, periodontal, removeable and fixed prosthodontics, implant restorative, and minor oral surgery procedures. The Dental Service is aligned under the Surgical/Specialty Care Service Line.Total Rewards of a Allied Health ProfessionalDuties include but are not limited to the following: Chairside Assisting Assists in routine general Dental procedures using four-handed dentistry. Sets up and breaks down operatories for procedures, ensuring efficient room turnover Passes instruments safely, accurately and efficiently Maintains clear operative field and provides effective and comfortable tissue retraction Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer instructions Performs all intra-operative procedures within standard infection-control protocols Assists in specialized procedures (oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics) with guidance from senior or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist. Direct Patient Care Takes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary prothesis. Removes temporary crowns and bridges and cleans preparations Places rubber dams and matrix bands. Completes medication reconciliation as appropriate. Provides Post-Operative patienteducation. Dental Imaging Captures diagnostic-quality images, properly exposed and oriented. Implements radiation-safety techniques and minimizes retakes. Completes imaging requests within required timeframes. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Follows all infection-control standards for operatory set up and cleanup Prepares instruments and materials in a manner that supports timely clinical care. Processes instruments for sterilization per SPD standards. Demonstrate proper infection control procedures during dental imaging. Performs reprocessing of reusable medical devices within assigned competencies. Dental Laboratory Functions: Pour impressions and fabricates study models. Completes additional laboratory tasks as time and skill allow. Performs other dental laboratory duties as assigned. Clerical Functions Assists dentists in charting clinical findings and treatment plans in patient records Helps manage the provider's schedule, including filling gaps due to cancellations or no-shows Uses VA software for electronic documentation, communication and record retrieval (VistA, CPRS, DRM+) Locates appointments and properly completes all dental laboratory cards to ensure readiness for patient care Patient Safety Modifies care by patient's age, condition and abilities Care Coordination and Patient Management Contributes to treatment-planning discussions and processes Evaluates chief complaints and identifies conditions requiring immediate attention Verifies that informed consent has been obtained for planned procedures Other duties as assignedWork Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm; alternate Fridays off Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May Be Authorized for