Dental Assistant (#RH3100)
$19.60-$23.82 Hourly / $3,396.57-$4,128.55 Monthly / $40,758.86-$49,542.65 Yearly

Under general supervision, provides chair side assistance to dentists and dental students in the San Joaquin General Hospital Dental Clinic; performs general clerical work of average difficulty; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

An employee in this class works directly for dentists and dental students, performing a variety of dental procedures and related clerical work, which require knowledge of dental equipment, materials, procedures, and terminology.

• Performs clerical activities related to dental clinic operation; files and sorts records, charts, and other materials; keeps records of time worked by clinic staff and dentists; receives, opens, sorts and distributes mail; takes inventories and maintains supplies by requisitioning needed articles.
• Performs receptionist duties for clinic office; answers phones; takes and transmits messages; schedules and adjusts appointments; maintains records or appointments.
• Maintains records of treatment provided to patients; prepares patient charge forms; prepares insurance forms; fills in patient data, treatment information and charges.
• Prepares operations; lays out instruments and supplies and sets up sterile trays; checks and maintains equipment for proper functioning; sharpens instruments.
• Prepares patients for treatment and examination; answers routine questions related to impending procedures or preventive dentistry techniques.
• Takes and develops full series or partial x-rays.
• Assists dentists in examination and treatment.
• Maintains cleanliness and sanitation of equipment and working areas; sterilizes instruments; disposes of needles and blades carefully.
• May act as a lead worker over other clinic personnel.

Education: Completion of an approved dental assistant training program.

Licenses and Certificates: Must be certified, prior to appointment, by the State of California Board of Dental Examiners, to take dental x-rays.

Substitution: One year of experience s a dental assistant may be substituted for the approved training program.

Basic dental equipment, materials, procedures, and terminology; procedures for taking and developing x-rays; principles and methods of preventive dentistry; basic record keeping practices and procedures; general office procedures, equipment and machines.

Deal effectively with patient needs, questions, and expectations; react quickly and calmly in stressful situations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.