Lead Dental Assistant

Overview

The Lead Dental Assistant facilitates delivery of dental services by the dentist and dental hygienists.This position will provide ongoing guidance, training, and support to the Dental Assistant, including delegation of duties, workflow oversight, and assistance in meeting departmental expectations.

Responsibilities

• Assists dentist/resident/hygienist during examination and treatment of patients.
• Prepares patient for dental examination and treatment.
• Disinfects and/or sterilizes instrumentation and equipment, sets up instrumentation, prepares materials, and assists dentist during dental procedures.
• Takes and records medical and dental histories and vital signs of patient.
• Exposes and processes dental diagnostic x-rays when dentist is on site.
• Assists dentist/resident/hygienist in management of medical and dental emergencies.
• Instructs patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
• Provides pre/peri/post-operative instructions as prescribed by dentist.
• Maintains dental, electronic medical records.
• Maintaining dental inventory and supports ordering/inventory control.
• Assists in referral process.
• Performs water testing on a regular or as needed.
• Updates the MSDS book for incoming new dental products and revisions.
• Ensures OSHA and all safety requirements are practiced.
• Reviews and maintains sterilization records.
• Scans all necessary documents into the EMR;
• Routes telephone notes and electronic records to appropriate dentist.
• Accesses patient portal for pertinent information.
• Confirms authorizations for non-covered dental services;
• Performs all duties, as requested by supervisor.
• Train new DA’s on work flows and procedures.
• Oversee daily schedule and monitor assignments for DA daily.
• Oversee referrals and telephone encounters for ALL dentist and DA folders.
• Line up renewals for Dr in encounters.
• Communicate with Dr and or Manager if a patient calls with a problem and needs further help.
• Monitor daily schedule and look ahead to fill open appointments and reschedule cancelled ones as  
• Monitor proficiency of other DA’s and offer additional training as needed.
• Oversee ordering and review with dental manager prior to placing order.
• Monitor infection control procedure daily and inform of any concerns or issues to manager.
• Performs all duties, as requested by supervisor.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Graduate of an approved dental assistant training program, preferred.
• Minimum 6 months experience as a dental assistant.
• Basic Life Support Certification/AED, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies Required:

• Familiarity serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, desirable.
• Strong ability to support busy dental program.
• Proficiency in oral, written and computer skills required.