Dental Care assistant #x24

 

Basic Purpose:

 

Positions within this job family are assigned duties and responsibilities which involve providing assistance to dentists in the examination and treatment of patients or conducting dental health care education and prevention programs.

 

Typical functions:

 The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

·     Cleans, sterilizes and polishes dental instruments and arranges instruments in cabinets.

·     Prepares patients for treatment; prepares trays of instruments and supplies.

·     Assists the dentist in instrumentation, operation of equipment, management of patients and maintenance of records recording dental examinations, conditions found, treatment rendered and appointments; maintains the proper working order of the dental clinic and equipment; takes, develops and mounts X-ray films; and performs routine dental laboratory work.

·     Makes dental inspections; demonstrates, with models and other visual aids, preventive dental care to individuals and groups; participates in in-service training programs; prepares and delivers lectures on dental health before groups of school, civic and professional personnel.

 

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

 

The Dental Care Assistant job family consists of three levels of work which are distinguished by the depth and breadth of accountability, the expertise required to perform assigned duties, and the responsibility for providing leadership to others.

 

Level I                                     Code:  X24A                            Salary Band:  F

 

This is the basic level where employees are assigned responsibilities for performing beginning level work, under close supervision, in a training status to build their skills in assisting in the care and treatment of patients and in providing instruction in preventive health care.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of standard dental procedures, terms, instruments, supplies, and equipment; of sterilization and sterile equipment; of processing and developing of x-ray film; of oral anatomy; of standards of oral hygiene; and of clerical procedures.  Ability is required to explain simple dental hygiene techniques.

 

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of completion of a junior college or technical school program in dental assisting or nine months of experience as a dental assistant or educator.

 

Level II                                                Code:  X24B                            Salary Band:  G

 

This is the career level where employees are assigned responsibilities at the full performance level, performing duties at all levels of complexity and may provide training or guidance to others in completing various dental care activities, including instructing parents, teachers, and children in the prevention and control of dental disease.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I plus knowledge of methods and procedures used in preventing dental disease; of methods and necessity for cleanliness of a dental operatory; of Oklahoma dental laws and regulations; and of instructional techniques.  Ability is required to arrange and operate visual aids.

 

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus two years of experience as a dental assistant; or one year of college or technical training in areas such as dentistry, biology, medicine, education, nursing or nutrition and two years as a dental assistant; or three years of experience as a dental assistant or educator.

  

 

Level III                                   Code:  X24C                            Salary Band:  H

 

This is the leadership level where employees are assigned duties and responsibilities that involve planning, implementing, evaluating, and supervising dental health education and prevention programs.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level II plus advanced knowledge of methods and procedures used in preventing dental disease; of current literature in the area; of education theory and techniques in the field of public health; and of public presentation techniques.  Ability is required to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to plan, supervise, and coordinate the activities of others; and to train and instruct groups.

 

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level II plus two additional years of experience as a dental assistant or educator, one year of which must be in a public health dental program.