Assist hygienist in providing dental treatment, care and education to patients. Must possess knowledge and skill of clinical procedures, processes and dental administrative functions.
Duties and Responsibilities
Welcome and escort patient from reception area to and from the treatment areas. Schedule appointments and assist in appointment confirmation calls.
Assist hygienists in clinical procedures and treatments.
If hygiene assistant has current Registered Dental Assistant license in California and coronal polishing certification, perform coronal polishing and floss patients, as instructed by hygienist.
Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
Recognize signs of a dental emergency, and insure proper and timely response and notification to patient, staff, and emergency medical personnel when necessary.
Additional responsibilities in accordance with the delegable duties allowable by state.
Sterilize and disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials and assist hygienist during dental procedures.
Learn and comply with state and Federal OSHA laws, infection control, safety standards in the dental office and operatory, including but not limited to: wearing personal protective (PPE) barriers such as gloves, scrubs, and eye wear; disinfecting and sterilizing instruments and treatment areas; and disposing properly of contaminated or bio-hazardous waste/materials.
Learn and comply with Coast Dentals administrative procedures.
Insure review and completion of documentation, including but not limited to: accurate and current medical history, medical alerts, and signed consent forms.
Document/chart all dental/hygiene procedures performed during each patient visit according to dentists instructions and legal requirements.
Effectively provide dental education and information to insure patient awareness of dental health and continuing treatment.
Effectively present to patient the dental treatment plan and proposed plan for continuing treatments in professional and confidential manner.
Understand and explain insurance benefits and financial options to patients in nonclinical terms.
Communicate with the patient all treatment to be rendered and financial obligation prior to starting procedure to avoid patient conflict. Understand and explain insurance benefits and financial options to patients in non-clinical terms.
Appoint all patients with future hygiene and recall appointments and effectively utilize and maintain a system of contact for patient follow-up/re-care.
Ensure treatment rooms are appropriately equipped and stocked with inventory and re-order when necessary.
Notify Office Manager of equipment trouble/need for a trouble ticket or general safety concerns.
Understand and agree to maintain production standards.
Maintain professional working environment within office team.
Attend and participate in morning huddles, chart reviews and regular office meetings.
Adhere to OSHA compliant uniform attire and basic personal hygiene standards per Company policy.
Attend continuing education and training seminars as scheduled.
Understand and abide by HIPAA regulations and maintain confidentiality.
Follow policies listed in the employee manual to ensure consistent standards.
Maintain a constant line of communication with the Office Manager to establish monetary goals and insurance concerns.
Assist in the office cleaning, trash disposal and trouble ticket submission to correct any office maintenance issues.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Excellent customer services skills and verbal communication skills. Ability to read, write, speak and understand information. Ability to effectively present information one-on-one with patients.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out details written or verbally instructed.
Basic computer knowledge and experience with dental management software experience. EagleSoft experience is preferred.
Ability to work in fast paced, patient-focused environment.
Qualifications (Experience, Education, Licensure, Certification)
Previous dental assisting experience preferred.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate.
Current certification in radiography.
Working Conditions
Hygiene Assistants work in a well-lit, clean environment. Their work area is usually near the dental chair so that they can arrange instruments, materials, and medication and hand them to the hygienists when needed.
Hygiene Assistants must wear gloves, masks, eyewear, and protective clothing to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.
Hygiene Assistants also follow safety procedures to minimize the risks associated with the use of x-ray machines and other equipment.
Employment Type: Full-Time
