05/01/76 C

This is skilled work on a journeyman level rendering assistance in four-handed dental techniques. Positions in this class are distinguished from the lower level class in that a greater variety of treatment procedures as provided by the State Board of Dentistry may be performed. Responsibilities include the preparation of treatment units, chair-side assisting utilizing four-handed dentistry, securing and arranging autoclaved contents in preparation for treatment, making entries on and filing patient records, allaying patient fear associated with dental treatment, and monitoring the patient’s physical well being during the treatment process.

Examples of duties characteristic of positions in this class:

1. Application of disclosing solutions, instructing patients in brushing and flossing techniques and plaque control methods.
2. Recording a patient’s vital signs and gingivitis scores; charting existing dental history and accurately recording treatment data in the patient’s record according to clinic or office regulations.
3. Preparation of equipment for administering intravenous or inhalation anesthesia or sedation.
4. Assisting the dentist at chair-side utilizing four-handed dentistry techniques; manipulating dental instruments, materials, and medicaments, assisting in emergency situations to alleviate unfavorable reactions to dental treatment; exposing and processing radiographs.
5. Pre-operative and post-operative preparation of instruments for the dental treatment units.

Successful completion of a Dental Association accredited program for dental assistant and one year of four-handed dentistry experience or completion of high school or recognized equivalent and two years of four-handed dentistry experience.

Ability to work with both professional associates and the general public; an in-depth knowledge of one dental treatment area; and a general knowledge of all other dental treatment areas.