DENTAL ASSISTANT

 DEFINITION

 Under direction, assists in the clinical and administrative functions
 of a dental care program; assists a dentist during examination and
 treatment of patients; does other related work.

 NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative
 purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform
 all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties
 performed on the job may not be listed.

 EXAMPLES OF WORK:

 Establishes appointments for the dentist in coordination with other
 disciplines and good dental practice.

 Acts as a receptionist, greets and seats patients, correctly adjusts
 the dental chair and dental light and drapes the patient.

 Routes patient for medical tests and services upon the dentist's
 direction

 Charts all pathology on the patient's chart upon the dentist's
 direction

 Record information on prescriptions and on a variety of forms related
 to dental care for signature of dentist upon the dentist's direction

 Sterilizes instruments, equipment and supplies.

 Maintains dental equipment in a clean and operative condition; cleans
 or instructs others in the cleaning of the dental facility.

 Orders, receives, inventories and properly stores dental materials,
 supplies and equipment.

 Sets up and prepares materials, instruments and equipment for
 procedures.

 Passes instruments and materials to and retrieves them from the
 dentist.

 Breaks down the instrument and equipment setup.

 Applies topical anesthetic agents as directed by the dentist

 Assists the licensed dentist in the administration of nitrous oxide in
 the presence of the dentist..

 Isolates the operative field, not to include rubber dams.

 Removes such debris as is normally created in the course of treatment
 during and after dental procedures by vacuum devices, compressed air,
 mouthwashes and water.

 Retracts patient's cheek, tongue or other tissue parts during a dental
 operation.

 Keeps alert to condition of patient during treatment for signs of
 fainting, shock or other distress; may take and record patient vital
 signs.

 Relays to patient the instructions from dentist for post- treatment
 care.

 Answers the telephone; takes and relays messages.

 Maintains a variety of recurring reports related to dental activity.

 May perform dental laboratory procedures including mixing of
 materials; pouring cast models and dies; uses model trimmer;
 constructs custom impression trays, base plates and bite rims; 
 and performs other sub-professional tasks in the dental laboratory.

 Analyzes saliva and prepares smears.

 May operate dental equipment to take intra and extra-oral radiographs
 and develop and finish films.

 Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
 manual recording and information systems used by the agency,
 office, or related units.

 REQUIREMENTS:

 EDUCATION:

 Successful completion of a one (1) year dental assistant program at 
 a trade or vocational school, technical institute, accredited college 
 or university or in the military service.

 NOTE: Applicants who do not possess the required
 education may substitute one (1) year of experience performing dental
 assistant work involving restorative, surgical or prosthetic dentistry
 procedures or, in dental x-ray.

 LICENSE:

 Applicants may be required to possess a valid license as a 
 Dental Radiological Technologist issued by the Radiological
 Technology Board, New Jersey Department of Environmental 
 Protection.

 Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in 
 New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee 
 mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

 KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

 Knowledge of the basic principles and methods of dental care.

 Knowledge of the concepts and application of oral pathology,
 bacteriology, pharmacology, dental anatomy, physiology and nutrition.

 Knowledge of the necessary preparations used in various dental
 treatments.

 Knowledge of the methods used to sterilize dental instruments and
 materials.

 Knowledge of methods used to take, process and mount dental x- rays.

 Knowledge of dental terminology.

 Knowledge of the instruments and materials used in general dentistry.

 Ability to manipulate vacuuming and compressed air devices.

 Ability to maintain and clean dental and laboratory equipment and the
 dental facility.

 Ability to accurately update and maintain dental records, charts and
 files.

 Ability to detect signs of syncope, shock or other side reactions to
 dental treatments in patients.

 Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
 recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
 related units.

 Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English
 sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign
 Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of
 communication.

 Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as
 they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable
 accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation
 cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship,
 such persons may not be eligible.

 This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
01483
L
C
  
N/A
12
-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

 2/04/2003