12/1/95

42400 UNIVERSITY DENTAL ASSISTING Series

42401 UNIVERSITY DENTAL ASSISTANT C

42402 UNIVERSITY DENTAL AUXILIARY UTILIZATION INSTRUCTOR C

42403 UNIVERSITY DENTAL ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR C

42404 UNIVERSITY DENTAL PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR C

SERIES CONCEPT

Positions in this series work in a university dental school or clinic. Positions perform or supervise non-professional dental care functions such as chairside assisting, teaching four-handed dentistry techniques, or coordinating patient care for student dentists and hygienists. Work is performed in a university dental school or hospital high-risk clinic setting. Work is complex due to the advanced procedures performed or type of patients seen in the school/hospital setting. Work assignments usually are carried out under the direction of a dentist, dental assistant supervisor, or practice manager. Responsibilities include frequent and direct contacts with patients, dentists, and dental hygienists.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of dental terminology, procedures, and techniques used in dental schools and hospital dental clinics for high-risk and medically compromised patients. Knowledge of dental chart maintenance. Knowledge of aseptic techniques. Ability to perform and/or instruct in the techniques of four-handed dentistry. Ability to work with medically compromised or high-risk patients. Skill in the use of dental instruments, materials, and equipment. Skill in dental radiography.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION

National certification as a dental assistant preferred.

EDUCATION OR TRAINING

Completion of a dental assisting training program.

EXPERIENCE

Considerable dental assisting experience appropriate to the specialty involved in the position.

An equivalent combination of training, experience, and certification which indicates possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for education and experience.

GUIDE TO LEVELS

42401 - UNIVERSITY DENTAL ASSISTANT. Positions perform four-handed dentistry techniques in a dental school or hospital high-risk dental clinic. Positions provide chairside assistance for a variety of procedures covering a wide range of difficulty and types of patients (endodontic, orthodontic, periodontic, pediatric, oral and maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics, or high-risk or medically compromised [HIV+, transplant, hemodialysis, hepatitis]). Positions typically: pass instruments to the dentist, ensuring instruments stay clean and enabling the dentist to work quickly, efficiently, and asseptically; evacuate patient's mouth during treatment using suction; assist with orthodontic banding and bonding procedures; select correct materials according to procedure being performed (archwires, files, adhesives, cements); expose and develop dental radiographs; sterilize equipment and oil handpieces; prepare and set up the operatory for procedures; perform prophylaxis by means of a rotary rubber cup and polishing agent; instruct patients in brushing and flossing techniques; mix impression materials and load impression trays; mix cementation materials and place prepared cement on dental prosthesis; triturate amalgam and place prepared amalgam in carrier, then into cavity preparation; clean operatory; notate patient charts; transcribe orders to charts; review charts for proper sequence and timeliness of care; greet, seat, and drape patients; place clamps and rubber dams in patient's mouth; measure endodontic files to be placed in tooth canal by dentist; take cephalometric and panoramic x-rays; place and remove elastic orthodontic separators; trim models; take photographs of patient's mouth; inventory operatory supplies; and ensure instruments and equipment are sterilized. May perform related clerical duties such as answering phones and making appointments. Some positions in this class may act as chairside assistants and perform some of the duties described for the university dental patient care coordinator, such as: answering patient questions; tracking student assignments; auditing charts; preparing reports and statistics; and tracking patients' treatment and financial status. Typically, dental assistants who perform a mix of assisting and coordinating duties do not make the types of complex decisions or perform the full range of duties assigned to patient care coordinators.

42402 - UNIVERSITY DENTAL AUXILIARY UTILIZATION INSTRUCTOR. Positions instruct, critique, evaluate, and grade student dentists on clinical procedures, patient and time management, and four-handed dentistry chairside techniques. Positions maintain student records, act as a liaison between patient and student, and perform incidental clerical duties associated with patient and student records.

42403 - UNIVERSITY DENTAL ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR. Positions oversee non-professional work in a dental school or hospital high-risk clinic. Positions interview and hire employees; assign, review, and evaluate work; provide orientation for new employees, in-service training, and policy and procedure interpretation; provide advice on difficult or unusual problems; counsel employees as necessary; and prepare reports.

42404 - UNIVERSITY DENTAL PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR. Positions match student dentists with appropriate patients in order for the student to complete dental procedures required for graduation. Distinguishing factors of this class include assigning patients based on complexity of procedure, proficiency of students, student workload, and needs of patients; and maintaining extensive knowledge of complex patient requirements and status, curriculum requirements, and the policies and procedures on admitting, treating, and inactivating patients in the teaching clinics. Positions also typically: assign students to faculty instructors; assign emergency patients to students; track student progress and provide recommendations concerning patient/time management; provide input on student grades; act as liaison between patients and students and faculty; orient students to clinic procedures and forms; observe student interaction with patients and discuss problems with student and/or faculty member; track patients' financial status; intercede on student's behalf with non-compliant patients; schedule student proficiency exams; prepare and maintain student and patient records; and prepare reports. Must have extensive knowledge of all dental procedures and patient/time management in a dental clinic.

CLASS SERIES HISTORY

This series was established December 1, 1995 as a result of a study conducted by Virginia Commonwealth Univerisity.