- Sets up and closes the dental operatory daily
- Establishes temporary dental clinics by locating, setting up, operating, taking down and loading portable equipment
- Assists in school screening with the hygienist, helping to set up, take down and load portable equipment
- Prepares solutions for use in clinic, i.e. cold sterilizing solutions, hypochlorite solution, cleaning agents cleans and sterilizes instruments and disinfects working area after each patient as per IPAC guidelines. Cleans and maintains dental equipment
- Assists dentist or dental hygienist in clinical duties at chairside, such as handing instruments, mixing dental materials, applying suction, activating x-ray machine and helping with patient management as required
- Processes, labels and files x-ray films
- Transports visual and audio aids, resource materials and dental promotional products. Packs equipment and arranges shipment of equipment and supplies to schools and other community locations
- Participates in the preparation of teaching lessons and materials. Participates in health fairs as directed. Participates in multidisciplinary public health committees
- Provides prescribed dental health instruction to groups and individuals. Demonstrates to patients the use of toothbrushes and dental floss and directs them in their use
- Carries out screening of residences in homes for senior citizens, including customizing of oral hygiene procedures for residents, labelling and brushing of dentures and instructing personal care workers on appropriate dental hygiene care for residents
- Performs various clerical duties, which include maintenance of defect lists and the administration of parent notification and consent cards for students. Checks records, consents and medical histories for completeness
- Records findings in dental records and data processing forms. Forwards patient records to appropriate public health clinic as necessary
- Completes and submits reports. Assists in annual file clear out
- Answers telephone, makes and confirms appointments, takes messages
- Receives and prepares patients for dental hygienist and dentist
- Provides information on Provincial dental programs such as Healthy Smiles Ontario; other dental programs such as the Ontario Senior Dental Program
- Contacts parents and teachers to obtain patient information. Contacts other clinics for appointments for further patient treatment. Contacts principals to schedule school visits
- Coordinates classroom visit schedules with teachers. Contacts and informs parents of children’s urgent need for dental treatment
- Maintains stationary and dental supplies in assigned school clinics. Orders and verifies dental and office supplies as directed and stocks shelves. Prepares, sends out and receives laundry
- Trains and orientates new dental assistants and students from teaching institutions
DENTAL ASSISTANT
Job Category: Health Services
Job Type: Full Time