Assist dentists or dental residents in a hospital ambulatory, inpatient, recovery room and/or intensive care setting to provide dental care to medically compromised, trauma, or special needs patients in multiple specialty areas such as periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery and hospital dentistry.  Set up I.V. sedation procedure to include drugs, supplies, and monitors.

Single class -- no series.  Under general supervision, in a hospital setting, assist dentists or dental residents in multiple dental specialty areas such as periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery and hospital dentistry; prepare patients and environment for treatment; in approximately 25 percent of patient cases, monitor patients during I.V. sedation and general anesthesia treatment.  Patients with trauma, severe or multiple medical conditions such as heart or liver transplant, patients undergoing chemotherapy or inpatient treatment for active HIV, renal dialysis patients, or special needs patients, such as those with severe mental retardation, make up approximately 50 percent of the patient cases.

Sets up antibiotic and sedation drugs for I.V. set-ups; attachs monitors including pulse oximeter, automated blood pressure device, EKG and precordial stethoscope catheters, and other medical devices; monitors and records blood pressure, temperature, and pulse and pulse oximeter readings; 

Presents preoperative and postoperative instructions for general anesthesia and I.V. sedation to patients in all specialty areas; instruct patients in oral hygiene; monitors patients condition following procedures; instructs medically compromised special needs patients in home care procedures and the use of specialized dental devices; 

Takes extra-oral radiographs, cephalograms, and panorex films; operates medical camera to photograph intra-oral and extra-oral facial anatomy, orthodontic views, and patient views during surgery;  

Performs telephone triage; recognizes life-threatening emergent situations, such as injury, accident and trauma victims, and reports to and assists dentist in urgent/emergent care; obtains and sets up emergency kit medications and adjunctive equipment for administration by the dentist; 

Modifies standard dental procedures and protocols to accommodate patients with special needs; assists patients with wheelchair or gurney transfer; 

Monitors patient flow and assists in the management of multiple operatories simultaneously; verifies presence of medical records, x-rays, and laboratory cases prior to scheduled appointments; 

Performs expanded duties for general dental procedures such as taking study models; fabricating temporary crowns and restorations; placing topical anesthetic; applying acid etch and sealants; placing and removing rubber dam; placing and removing matrix and wedge; placing retraction cord; performing coronal polish and fluoride amalgam polish; 

Performs expanded duties for specialty procedures such as placing and removing periodontal dressings; packing and medicating extraction areas; assisting in respective surgeries for periodontics, endodontics, and oral surgery; selecting orthodontic bands; placing and removing separators; preparing teeth for bonding; removing and replacing wires; performing minor adjustments to orthodontic appliances; and removing sutures; 

Completes billing documents; verifies accuracy of charges and diagnoses; responds to patient billing questions, referring as necessary to appropriate sources; 

Performs related duties as required.

Current certification as a dental assistant (CDA) or the ability to obtain same within six months;  

AND 

Three years of experience as a dental assistant in a general practice setting and one year of experience in specialty practice (such as endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, or hospital dentistry)

OR 

Equivalent education/experience.