Dental Assistant - 00010581 (Hourly/Grant Funded)

THIS IS A HOURLY/ GRANT FUNDED POSITION

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Assist dentists in the routine care of dental patients.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Employees in this class render skilled technical assistant to dentists or dental students in the care of dental patients. All duties related to providing chair side patient care are performed under direct supervision of a dentist or dental student.

Other duties require extensive knowledge of the operation of dental equipment, sterilization, infection control and general office procedures. This is a grant funded position that will be assigned to the school-based oral health expansion initiative.

Job Duties

Individuals in this position assist dentists in providing care and services to patients. Duties include the following: maintaining inventories, cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments and equipment, and operating oral evacuation equipment, retractors, water/air sprays.

Non-patient care duties are performed according to established protocol and office procedures.  Individual will serve as a liaison between the dental program and other entities. Contacts are with dental patients, employees in other departments, and outside public and private organizations exchanging information and explaining procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an approved dental assistant course and one year experience as a dental assistant, OR graduation from high school and two years of one-the-job training as a dental assistant.  X-ray certification mandatory as approved by the NC State Board of Dental Examiners.

Trainee Requirements

Recent graduation from an approved dental assistant course, OR graduation from high school and one year of on-the-job training as a dental assistant; must be approved of X-ray certification by the NC State Board of Dental Examiners within 6 months of hire date as a trainee.  Must present or obtain within 6 months of hire a certificate of coronal polishing, certificate to place sealants, 3 hours of CE in Infection Control and 3 hours of CE in Emergencies in the dental office.

Special Requirements

Documentation of immunity to: measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, per CDC recommendations. A Screening/proof of Hepatitis B immunity, as recommended by the CDC.

All Public Health staff are required to have annual Flu immunization (shots) each Flu season.

Preferred Qualifications

Graduation from an approve dental assistant course and one year experience as a dental assistant. Dental Radiographic certification.

Driving is Essential

Driving is an essential requirement of this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business.  Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria.

If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, and hearing and repetitive motions.

Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Must possess the visual acuity to do extensive reading and to use measurement devices.

Special Note

This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements.  However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal defensible personnel decisions.