DENTAL ASSISTANT

Code: 01483 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

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.

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.

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.

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, skills 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.

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.

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.