Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant Expanded Function

Schedule: Casual, Day shift, 1-2 days/week, typically Mondays and Wednesdays.

The Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) assists a licensed oral surgeon/dentist under his/her direction. Responsibilities include:

• Assists dentists and oral surgeons within the scope of practice as a Dental Assistant/Expanded Function Dental Assistant (i.e., therapeutic procedures only) under his/her direct supervision. Perform mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity; Place and remove retraction chord; Monitor and respond to post-surgical bleeding; Place amalgam for condensation by the dentist; carve amalgams, Remove sutures; dry canal; tie in archwire; Apply topical fluoride; apply topical anesthetic to the injection site; Place and remove dental dam;
• Pour, trim, and evaluate the quality of diagnostic casts; Size and place orthodontic bands and brackets; Using the concepts of four-handed dentistry, assist with basic restorative procedures and basic surgical procedures Place liners and bases; Apply pit and fissure sealants; Place orthodontic separators; Size, fit, and place stainless steel crowns; Take preliminary and final impressions;
• Place and remove matrix bands; Fabricate and place temporary crowns; remove temporary crowns and cement; Place and remove temporary fillings; Remove permanent cement from supragingival surfaces; Fabricate custom trays, bleaching trays, and athletic mouth guards; EFDA performs coronal polishing; EFDA places and removed rubber dams; EFDA places and finishes composite resin restorations and sealant material or both: EFDA places and removes matrices; EFDA places and removes wedges; EFDA takes impressions of teeth for study models, diagnostic casts or athletic appliances; EFDA performs all duties designated to Dental Assistants, under the same levels of required supervision works cooperatively with ancillary services and outside agencies.
• Obtains patient/parental consent forms for dental procedures. Assures that all paperwork and reports are included for the dentist. Communicates and documents concise, appropriate, and accurate information to the healthcare team. Assists dentists with the training of dental assistant students. Shadow and assist dental students and dental assisting students when rotations occur. Performs radiographs, as instructed, including exposure and development under the direct supervision of an oral surgeon/dentist. Demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding of the use of dental equipment. Assures that dental equipment is in good functioning order (including recommended testing) at all times; has equipment repaired when needed. Assures that an adequate inventory of dental supplies is always maintained; prepares purchase order forms. Assures that all necessary items are available before each dental clinic session. Performs sterilization of dental equipment per infection control and regulatory requirements/standards. Maintains operatory disinfection according to regulatory requirements. Ensure proper handling of biohazard waste products within the clinic. Organizes operatories, stocks supplies, and checks for integrity of package, sterility, and expiration dates except for medications.
• Provides a safe and secure environment for patients. Demonstrates understanding of age-specific needs of the dental client populations. Demonstrates appropriate precautions for blood/body fluid exposure. Is accountable and adaptable to all Clinic safety procedures, continuing education requirements, operational procedures, corporate compliance requirements, disaster plans, and regulatory requirements. Complies with established occupational exposure policies. Obtains patient/parental consent forms for dental procedures. Assures that all paperwork and reports are included for the dentist. Communicates and documents concise, appropriate, and accurate information to the healthcare team. Employees document dental treatment accurately and efficiently in the dental record.

Must be a graduate of an approved Dental Assistant Program. Must have a certificate from an approved Expanded Function Dental Assistant Program. Experience Required: At least one year of experience as a Dental Assistant. Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances: Radiology Certification for capturing radiographs. Must maintain an expanded function dental assistant license from the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry. Employee shall complete the continuing education requirements to maintain that license. Basic Life Support (BLS)

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran