POSITION DUTIES: Serves as an assistant primarily supporting a dental specialist. Performs duties in providing assistance in one or more phases of complex/difficult restorative, prosthodontic, oral surgical, endodontic, orthodontic, or periodontal treatment. Receives and schedules patients for treatment. Obtains and records related medical history of patient. Charts examination and treatment information. Records information on prescriptions. Sterilizes instruments, materials, and equipment; prepares surgical trays. Maintains dental equipment in a clean and operative condition. Assists dentist at chair side. Performs intra-oral procedures as directed by dentist. Takes preliminary impressions for study models, removes sutures, places and removes rubber dams, perio-packs, matrix bands, and wedges. Relays dentists instructions to patient for posttreatment care. Instructs patient in proper dental techniques, care of appliances, and causes of dental decay. Operates dental X-ray equipment to take intra and extra oral radiographs. Maintains, cleans, and performs minor repairs on X-ray equipment and materials. Pours and trims models from impressions, and constructs custom impression trays. Maintains a variety of recurring reports related to dental activities. Aids in the training of trainee dental assistants and/or dental assistant students. Demonstrates clinic maintenance, chair side assistance, and radiographic duties regularly performed. Observes and advises trainees and students as they perform these duties. MAJOR DUTIES 1. PATIENT CARE. Performs inter-oral procedures as directed by dentist. Takes preliminary impressions for study models, removes sutures, places and removes rubber dams, perio-packs, matrix bands, and wedges. Relays dentist's instructions to patient for post-treatment care. Instructs patient in proper dental techniques, care of appliances, and causes of dental decay. Operates dental X-ray equipment to take intra and extra-oral radiographs. Retrieves digital images and/or develops and finishes film. Positions patients and film to achieve proper photographic angles. Maintains, cleans, and performs minor repairs on X-ray equipment and materials. Pours and trims model from impressions, and constructs custom impression trays. 2. PATIENT ADMINISTRATION. Receives and schedules patients for treatment. Obtains and records related medical history of patient, and routes patient for medical tests and services when required. Charts examination and treatment information as relayed by dentist to patient records. Records information relayed by dentist on prescriptions and other forms for signature of dentist. Sterilizes instruments, materials, equipment, and prepares surgical trays. Maintains a variety of recurring reports related to dental activities. 3. INSTRUMENT/EQUIPMENT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE. Maintains dental equipment in a clean and operative condition; properly stores and maintains adequate levels of supplies. Prepares and arranges all instruments and materials needed for each treatment; prepares patient and operator. Takes and records blood pressure and pulse of oral surgery patients before and after treatment. Assists dentist at chair side. Passes instruments and materials to and from the dentist; keeps area of operation clear using high speed evacuator, suction tip, and irrigation; and retracts tissue, tongue and cheek. Maintains aseptic condition, stabilizes tissue for dentist, and cuts sutures. Keeps alert to condition of patient during treatment for signs of fainting, shock, or other distress. 4. TRAINING & MENTORING. Aids in the training of trainee dental assistants and students. Demonstrates clinic maintenance, chair side assistance, and radiographic duties regularly performed. Observes and advises trainees and students as they perform these duties. Performs other duties as assigned.