Join the Beachwood Dental family where every team member is appreciated! We're searching for a passionate dental assistant to join our team and make a difference in our patient’s lives. We believe in fostering a culture of teamwork, where every team member is valued and recognized for their efforts and ideas. Here, work isn't just a job, it’s a place where we all thrive and enjoy each day together. If you're ready to be part of a supportive team, where your skills are appreciated and your growth is encouraged, apply now and let’s make a difference together!

POSITION SUMMARY

Performs a variety of dental assisting duties while promoting quality dental care for patients and a safe environment of minimal stress.  Assists the doctor, teaches the patients how to care for their teeth and oral appliances, communicates effectively with patients and/or parents, maintains equipment and inventory, and follows universal precautions and all OSHA requirements.  Follows office protocol by maintaining a safe workplace for employees and contractors; maintaining the hazardous chemicals labeling system; adhering to  infection control protocol, and the management of all aspects of infectious and/or hazardous waste. Facilitates the work flow and patient flow, patient safety / patient education and participation in treatment acceptance by patients. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to meet the physical requirements and demands of an active position, including but not limited to: extended durations of standing, walking, stooping, bending and sitting; manual dexterity; good eye-hand coordination; visual abilities (depth perception, ocular focus, close vision, color vision, and peripheral vision), and adequate hearing to perform daily work. Must be able to adjust physically and emotionally to a spontaneous, fast-paced and hectic environment.

COMPETENCIES

• Exceptional human relation and patient skills 
• Ability to work with people of all ages
• Ability to handle conflict and get along with people
• Ability to maintain outgoing, friendly attitude with patients and staff even under pressure
• Ability to work with interruptions and to manage multiple priorities (multi-task)
• Accuracy to write clearly, concisely, logically, and legibly
• Manual dexterity
• Ability to complete tasks within specified time frame

SKILLS

• Skills consistent with Dental Assisting and Four-Handed Dentistry concepts
• Leadership skills to encourage clinical adeptness, teamwork and communication with patients
• Presentation skills to develop preventive attitudes and knowledge in every patient
• Professionalism, discretion, integrity, honesty, and dedication

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Patient Management

• Sets up treatment rooms for procedures, following protocol for each procedure and using the available resources to set up accurately and efficiently

• Escorts patients to treatment rooms, on time and marks the patient “seated” in the software

• Offers head and neck pillows and adjusts for comfort 
• Ensures patient comfort by checking that the headlight is not in the patient’s face and that the patient is attended to at all times

• Obtains, reviews and reports health histories according to office protocol, including confirming with patients their positive responses to medical questions and the reason for taking the medicine

• Takes and accurately documents blood pressure for new patients and patients that will be receiving anesthetic that day

• Anticipates and assists doctor’s needs

• Uses route slip effectively to communicate all patient next steps:

1. What treatment is required at next visit
2. How much time the doctor would like reserved for the next visit
3. When the doctor would like to see the patient for the next visit

• Gives patient oral care instruction and demonstrates when necessary

• Monitors patient flow for efficiency and to avoid patients waiting

• Accurately maintains patient records and charts to ensure easy retrieval and completes documentation of all patient treatment and transactions
• Helps patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment
• Follows up with patients that require care calls after treatment

Treatment Room Management and Sterilization

• Keeps dental units, procedure bins, and lab ready, stocked and clean during and after business hours

• Oversees cleanliness throughout the day according to sterilization procedures

• Completes checklists as tasks are completed

• Disinfects treatment rooms according to OSHA regulations

• Sterilizes all instruments and hand pieces according to OSHA regulations

• Keeps bins, instruments and treatment room drawers organized and stocked

• Performs and logs when necessary, all OSHA sterilization requirements

• Promptly and accurately sends out and monitors all lab cases. Logs cases when they return

• Implements the preventive maintenance/cleaning schedule for dental equipment

• Maintains dental office emergency kits and nitrous and oxygen tanks

• Strives to minimize waste

Records Management

• Securely stores and handles patient records in compliance with state and federal requirements, including the HIPAA privacy and security regulations

• Ensure proper treatment notes are recorded in patient’s chart

• Ensure all scanning per office protocol is completed for lab cases, lab statements, vendor statements, etc

Scheduling and Treatment

• Takes initiative to watch the office flow and try to keep the schedule moving by helping the doctor enter the hygiene operatory for the examination

• Keeps an eye to ensure the doctor is assisted during any examination or patient conversation when documentation is needed
• Efficiently and cheerfully assists the doctor chairside (using the 4 handed approach) with all procedures making the patient’s comfort top priority
• Performs assisting duties as requested by the doctor – packing cord, fabricating temporaries, and adjusting appliances
• Supports the doctor in discussions with patients and offers back-up when requested but allows the doctor to take the lead. Documents doctor-patient conversations and recommendations
• Takes and processes dental radiographs as requested by the doctor and following office protocol
• Communicates with patients at the end of the procedure about the next appointment by informing the patients about what the treatment is, how long it will take and when the doctor wants to see the patient back
• Uses the “reserved” verbiage to build value for the doctor’s time for the next visit 
• Using the “hand-off” approach with each patient as they are escorted to the front office team

Inventory Management

 • Monitors inventory and places orders per office protocol

• Ensures that treatment rooms and procedure bins are stocked at all times

• Helps to keep supplies ordered within budget

Office Participation

• Is an active participant in team meetings

• Promotes team concept by interacting with others in the office & NO gossip rule
• Represents office with pleasant demeanor, positive attitude, and personal grooming
• Knows and supports office philosophy and mission
• Promotes the practice with enthusiasm and represents the practice philosophy for patient care and teamwork
• Enlists the help of others and offers help when asked
• Knows and follows all office policies and manuals
• Prepares for and fully participates in morning huddle providing all data regarding unscheduled treatment 
• Performs all other duties as requested by the Doctor