Registered Dental Assistant

Summary:

A Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) provides all functions of a Dental Assistant.  In addition, an RDA may perform functions, as described below, according to the requirements of the Dental Practice Act of California.

The supervising, licensed dentist is responsible for determining whether each procedure performed by an RDA is under general or direct supervision and in accordance with Borrego Health policy.

Compensation:

$21.00 - $26.00 per hour

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Administrative Functions:

1. Performs Dental Assistant duties allowed under the Dental Practice Act of California
2. Mouth-mirror inspections of the oral cavity
3. Documents and charts obvious lesions, existing restorations, and missing teeth
4. Applies and activates bleaching agents using a non-laser light-curing device
5. Gathers diagnostic information for the dentist utilizing automated caries detection devices and materials
6. Obtains intraoral images for computer-aided design milled restorations
7. Performs pulp vitality testing and records findings in the patient’s chart
8. Places bases, liners, and bonding agents
9. Chemically prepares teeth for bonding
10. Places, adjusts, and finishes direct provisional restorations
11. Fabricates, adjusts, cements, and removes indirect provisional restorations, including stainless steel crowns when used as a provisional restoration
12. Places post-extraction dressings after inspection of a surgical site by the supervising licensed dentist
13. Places periodontal dressings
14. Dries endodontically treated canals using absorbent paper points
15. Adjusts dentures extra-orally
16. Removes excess cement from surfaces of teeth with a hand instrument
17. Polishes coronal surfaces of the teeth
18. Other duties as assigned.

An RDA may only perform the following duties if he/she has completed a California Dental Board-approved RDA educational program in those duties or he/she has provided evidence to the Board of having completed a Board-approved course in those duties.

1. Removes excess cement with an ultrasonic scaler from supragingival surfaces of teeth undergoing orthodontic treatment.
2. The allowable duties of an orthodontic assistant permit holder.
3. The allowable duties of a dental sedation assistant permit holder.
4. The application of pit and fissure sealants (only upon completion of a Dental Board- approved course in the application of pit and fissure sealants).

Clinical Functions:

1. Completes electronic and/or paper chart entries, as assigned
2. Ensures patient charts are available to the dentist prior to each patient being seated, including provision of a paper chart, or pulling up an electronic chart in the computer
3. Explain procedures to patients
4. Passes instruments to the dentist during 4-handed procedures.
5. For work on mobile dental units, manages start-up functions including turning generators on, securing steps and railings, checking water levels, setting thermostat, checking, and completing logs and related activities.
6. For non-mobile units, fill chemicals, as needed, fills water bottles, and adds water treatment tablets to water reservoirs, flushes water lines, ensures that sanitation areas are clean and organized throughout the day.
7. Logs and dates all instrument sterilization cycles; writes sterilization and expiration dates on all bagged instruments
8. Conducts inventory analysis; receives and orders supplies; clean operatories between patients
9. Instructs patients on post-operative care and oral hygiene
10. Provides quality care to the patients of Borrego Health, within the scope of practice outlined by state or federal law.
11. Delivers care in accordance with established standard of care and accepted community standards. 
12. Understands the organizations commitment to provide high quality patient care. Promotes a Patient centered environment.

Strategic:

1. Achieves Borrego Health’s vision, goals and objectives for department that are in alignment with organizational strategic plan.
2. Communicates vision, goals and objectives within own departments and with other departments, including regular department updates regarding current activities.
3. Maintains awareness of job responsibilities, challenges, barriers and needs within reporting line.
4. Contributes to department progress and maintains accountability, recommending, and participating in department and/or personnel evaluation and improvement efforts as necessary.
5. Effectively collaborates with other departments to work toward shared goals and common vision
6. Maintains awareness of how department fits into the bigger organizational picture
7. Maintains knowledge of regulatory and oversight requirements and ensures compliance

Program:

1. Maintains awareness of organizational hierarchy, systems, and processes, and participates in process improvement initiatives, as necessary.
2. Representative of Borrego Health internally and externally 
3. Presents and pursues opportunities for further organizational development and growth
4. Acknowledges role in productivity and quality improvement
5. Ensures adherence of department policies and procedures, and adheres to appropriate organization-wide implementation processes

Service:

1. Actively supports, promotes, and works to fulfill the Mission, Vision and core values of Borrego Health.
2. Embodies Borrego Health’s core values- Accountability, Compassion, Integrity, Respect, Commitment, Loyalty and Excellence.
3. Provides excellent internal and external customer service.
4. Demonstrates Borrego Health’s Standards of Customer Service Behavior:  Compassion, Attitude, Communication, Appearance, Sense of Ownership, and Teamwork.
5. Participates in on-going customer service trainings.
6. In every action, seeks to promote Borrego Health as a top service organization.
7. Contributes to the success of the organization by participating in quality improvement activities.
8. Complies with all Borrego Health policies and procedures and proactively participates in the implementation of new initiatives

Safety:

1. Ensures compliance with policies and procedures related to safe work practices.
2. Uses all appropriate equipment and/or tools to ensure workplace safety. 
3. Immediately reports unsafe working conditions.

            Privacy/Compliance:         

4. Maintains privacy and security of all patient, employee, and volunteer information and access to such information. Such information is accessed on a need to know basis for business purposes only. 
5. Complies with all regulations regarding corporate integrity and security obligations. Reports unethical, fraudulent or unlawful behavior or activity.
6. Upholds strict ethical standards

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Graduate of high school or has a GED certificate
2. Graduate of an educational program in registered dental assisting - approved by the California Dental Board and satisfactory performance on a written and practical examination administered by the California Dental Board, OR
3. Evidence of at least 15 months as a Dental Assistant in California or another state and satisfactory performance on a written and practical examination administered by the California Dental Board.” Satisfactory work experience” means the performance of duties specified by the Board in Section 1750.1 of the California Business and Professions Code, and certified by an employing dentist
4. Provision of having successfully completed Board-approved courses in radiation safety and coronal polishing
5. For individuals applying for RDA licensure after 1/1/10: must demonstrate satisfactory performance on a written examination in law and ethics administered by the California Dental Board and must provide written evidence of successful completion, within 5 years of application, of:
   1. A Board-approved course in the Dental Practice Act
   2. A Board-approved course in infection control
   3. A course in basic life support offered by an instructor approved by the American Heart Association.

[NOTE: Borrego Health accepts only those classes offered by the American Heart Association.]

6. California Registered Dental Assistant license
7. Completion of a California Dental Board approved course in the application of pit and fissure sealants prior to the first expiration of his/her license that requires completion of continuing education as a condition of renewal
8. Knowledge of how to take vital signs
9. All staff that is presently working within a clinic is required to have a Current and Valid CPR and First Aide certification on file with the Human Resources Department. This is for clinical and administrative staff. This new license requirement is mandatory for continued employment, CPR and First Aide certification must be obtained through the American Heart Association. Internet certificates do not comply and for this reason are not valid.

Special Conditions of Employment:

Strongly preferred: Completion of a California Dental Board-approved course in pit and fissure sealants prior to employment. Internet certificates do not comply and for this reason are not valid