The Expanded Function Dental Assistant works under general supervision of the attending Dentist, assisting Dentists, Residents, and Students, including, but not limited to the guidelines outlined by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) for Tennessee approved EFDA services and outlined below. This position also provides general administrative support for the Pediatric Dentistry Department Chair, including but not limited to support involving Microsoft Office, Dental Software, and other Meharry College related software programs and Pediatric Department outreach within Meharry, its affiliated clinics, and the community. The position requires performing duties primarily at our Nashville location, however duties will also be performed at our Antioch location as well as an external surgery clinic.
- Coronal Polishing
- Restorative Functions (insert, pack, carve, and finish amalgam and intracoronal nonmetallic restorations),
- Prosthetic Functions (take final impressions for fixed and removable prosthetic appliances), Selecting and pre-fitting of stainless-steel crowns or other pre-formed crowns for insertion by the Dentist, application of sealants.
- Take alginate impressions for non-permanent restorations, Selection, prefitting, cementation, curing and removal of orthodontic bands or brackets, packing pulpotomy paste,
- Exposure and processing of radiographs including digital, of the mouth, gums, jaws, teeth or any portion thereof for dental diagnosis, Removal of cement excess,
- Monitor oral sedation and nitrous oxide and assist during pediatric oral rehabilitation surgery.
- Placement and Removal of: Temporary restorations, retraction cord and smears, rubber dams, isolite, socket dressings, pre-treatment separators, and matrices for restoration.
- Placement of: Composite or Amalgam in prepared cavities for condensation by the Dentist, exposure chains and cementation of attachments, cavity bases and liners, topical fluorides approved by Dentist, irrigation to extraction sites, absorbent paper bands or points for the drying of canals, using desensitizing agents and tooth conditioners.
- Removal of: Sutures and staples, cement from restorations and bands. Instruction of patients in dietary schedules, maintenance of instrument and operatory infection control, taking and recording of a patient’s blood pressure and pulse, performing pulp testing and calling in prescriptions as instructed by the Dentist.
- Assisting Pediatric Chair in administrative functions such as: answering incoming calls and taking messages, coordination of schedules and appointments, preparation of materials for instructional and clinical sessions, work within Meharry and dental clinic software programs, proficiency in reviewing and drafting memos and other files within Microsoft Office and Apple programs, interacting with internal and external departments, outside contacts, collection of information to assist in reporting and other Meharry metrics, assisting with community events. Assist in all grant activities as assigned.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Skills
- Ability to assist Dentists, students, residents or faculty in chair procedures.
- Ability to understand technical and medical nomenclature.
- Knowledge and use of dental instruments and equipment.
- Knowledge of basic methods of dental record keeping and reporting.
- Proficiency within Microsoft Office
- Ability to multitask within an administrative office environment
Required Experience
- High School or equivalent and successful completion of an Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) program and certification/registration with the State of Tennessee required.
- Prior experience in pediatric dentistry essential.