Dental Assistant

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This information was provided by the employer; it was not verified by Job Bank.

Work setting

• Dental practice

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Prepare patients for dental examinations
• Prepare plaster models and moulds
• Supervise dental assistants in their health care functions
• Train other dental laboratory assistants
• Cast gold or metal alloys for bridges and denture bases
• Order dental and office supplies
• Perform administrative functions for the dental laboratory
• Prepare dental instruments and filling materials
• Maintain and order supplies
• Mould wax over dentures set-up
• Perform reception and clerical duties
• Sterilize and maintain instruments and equipment
• Educate patients concerning oral hygiene
• Finish metal framework of dentures
• Supervise students in training
• Polish teeth and clinical crowns and apply fluoride and sealant
• Prepare wax bite-blocks and impression trays
• Schedule and confirm appointments
• Pack plastic material in moulds to form full or partial dentures
• Perform intra-oral duties
• Take and develop X-rays
• Make orthodontic bands from metal and alloys
• Record dental procedures performed on patients
• Invoice patients for dental services
• Polish and buff dentures
• Fabricate and place temporary crowns and restorations
• Take preliminary impressions for diagnostic casts

Supervision

• 1 to 2 people

Experience and specialization

Technical expertise (dental)

• Plastering
• Packing
• Waxing-up
• Polishing
• Assembly

Computer and technology knowledge

• MS Excel
• MS Outlook
• MS PowerPoint
• MS Windows
• MS Word

Equipment, eystems and controls experience

• Medical and biomedical equipment and systems

Specialization or experience

• Green economy sector

Area of specialization

• Full dentures
• Partial dentures
• Orthodontic appliances
• Crowns and bridges
• Ceramic or porcelain application
• Gold dies and goldwork
• Chrome castings

Additional information

Work conditions and physical capabilities

• Fast-paced environment
• Work under pressure
• Tight deadlines
• Repetitive tasks
• Physically demanding
• Manual dexterity
• Attention to detail
• Ability to distinguish between colours
• Sitting
• Combination of sitting, standing, walking
• Standing for extended periods
• Bending, crouching, kneeling
• Hand-eye co-ordination
• Large workload

Personal suitability

• Client focus
• Efficient interpersonal skills
• Flexibility
• Judgement
• Team player
• Accurate
• Dependability
• Excellent oral communication
• Excellent written communication
• Initiative
• Interpersonal awareness
• Reliability

Benefits

Health benefits

• Dental plan
• Health care plan