Dental Assistant

Dental Functions:

• Assist dentist with dental procedures, mixing materials, stock taking and ordering.           
• Sterilising of equipment and maintenance of Autoclave and preparation of distilled water.
• Daily cleaning of suction unit and filter and draining compressor.
• Liaising with the dental lab for collections and deliveries of lab work.       
• Checking benefits and preparing quotes for dentures and crowns and working out co-payments   
• Ability to work under pressure, accomplish certain task, in a certain amount of time with the highest quality possible

Administrative Functions:

• Monthly statistics and daily billing.         
• Checking of all dental benefits and if patient is still active.           
• To know how to work according to a budget by buying consumables for Dental.   
• Confirm benefits for specialised dentistry, dentures, hospital dentistry and specialist benefits.      
• Get/give banking details/purchase order requests for co-payments above benefit limits.   
• Obtain pre-authorisation for Pride/Diversity Members dental procedures, where necessary.          
• Help update the protocols of Dental where needed.        
• Report any Maintenance problems or health risk problems to Centre Manager.    
• Ordering of dental stock, the correct processes, and follow-ups with invoices.      
• Providing the Manager with monthly invoices record for dental orders and lab work completed.    
• Assisting in reception when Dentist is on sick leave or leave.      
• Booking of specialist appointments and obtaining authorisation.  
• Booking of dental theatre/sedations and anaesthetists and obtaining authorisation and sending SMS reminders to the patients.         
• To implement Paperless approach in Dental      

Interpersonal Skills Execution:

• Effective communication with the patients and health team, in a positive verbal and non-verbal manner.
• Always be friendly, positive and perform dental assisting duties to the best of your ability with highest level of quality and care to the patients and colleagues.  
• Motivating and supporting fellow employees within own team and in other teams.
• Always work toward the success of the Scheme as a whole.       
• To always honour the values of Sisonke Health. Respect, Integrity, Service, Fairness and Transparency to all patients and co-workers.      
• Assisting other teams and co-workers wherever possible.

Compliance Functions:

• Only performing clinical functions within the scope of practice of a Dental Assistant         
• Ensuring that qualifications and registrations with appropriate bodies and councils are up to date.
• Complying with protocols and procedures relating to waste disposal, medicines emergency equipment, confidentiality, etc.  
• Reporting any inappropriate behaviour or misconduct to the Centre Manager or Fund Manager.   
• Ensuring that all hygiene and infection control protocols are upheld.        
• Comply with protocol for specialized dentistry and dentures.       
• Compliance with Scheme rules when assisting members and providing primary care.       
• Ensure that the dental equipment is properly maintained and that a yearly service is done.           
• Taking part in health campaigns and promotions.