Dental assist expand function

Purpose:

The Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) provides assistance to a licensed oral surgeon/dentist under his/her direction.

Responsibilities:

• Assists dentist and oral surgeons within scope of practice as a Dental Assistant/Expanded Function Dental Assistant (i.e., restorative procedures only) under his/her direct supervision.
• Perform mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity.
• Place and remove retraction cord.
• 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/or 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 dentist with training of dental assistant students.
• Shadows and assists 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 in the use of dental equipment.
• Assures that dental equipment is in good working order (including recommended testing) at all times; has equipment repaired when needed.
• Assures that an adequate inventory of dental supplies is maintained at all times; prepares purchase order forms.
• Assures that all necessary items are available prior to each dental clinic session.
• Performs sterilization of dental equipment per infection control and regulatory requirements/standards.
• Maintains operatory disinfection according to regulatory requirements.
• Ensures proper handling of biohazard waste products within the clinic.
• Organizes operatories, stocks supplies, checks for integrity of packages, sterility, and expiration dates, with the exception of 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 plan, 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.
• Employee documents 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:

Must have at least one-year 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)
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran