Dental Assistant, Clinical Affairs
Meharry Medical College

The Dental Assistant works under general supervision. Sets up and takes radiographs, logs in x-rays taken. Assists in taking patient's vital signs. Takes digital radiographs, and has the ability to export them to different formats. Monitors for intravenous sedation and nitrous oxide sedation. Assist with intravenous sedation procedures.

Daily Operations:

• Assist students in x-ray techniques and terminology in accordance with state regulations

and law as well as the institution directives and protocol.
• Ensure the sterility of all reusable dental instruments and equipment in accordance with
Meharry's directives and protocols, state and Federal mandates.
• Maintain all clinical areas in compliance with Meharry's directives and protocols as well
as our policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety
issues.
• Ensure the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in
accordance with Meharry's directives, policies, and state and federal regulation(s}.
• Maintains adequate operatory supplies and compiles a list of individual item shortages
for inventory control and ordering purposes.
• Monitor patient flow, and assists the providers in assuring that all patient records and
documents are properly and accurately completed and processed accordingly.
• Responsible for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, locai and clinic
rules, regulations, protocols and procedures including but not limited to the
participation of a Dental Assistant in the provision of clinical dental care, as well as those
relating to, but not limited to personnel issues, work place safety, including safe patient
handling procedures, public health and confidentiality (HIPAA).
• Keeps records of procedures performed by students; answers the telephone and takes
messages.
• Produces digital radiographs for all student's clinics and performs the duties assigned by the chair of the radiology department
• Produces 3D digital radiographs for the performance of implant surgeries

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills:

Ability to assist students, resident and/or faculty in chair procedures.
• Ability to understand technical and medical nomenclature.
• Knowledge of names and use of dental instruments and equipment.
• Knowledge of basic methods of dental record keeping and reporting.
• Knowledge of sterilization techniques and procedures.

Required Education and Experience:

High School or equivalent and successful completion of a dental assistant program and registration with the State of Tennessee required. Prior experience working with 2D, and 3D radiology equipment preferred.