Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary (EFDA)

Description

Job Title: Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) Position Code: F19E

Non-Exempt

Department: Health Center Operations Salary Grade: F11 Acct Code:

Position Category (330):

Other Dental Personnel (L18) Position Category (Rphca):

Other Clinical Staff

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. 

Position Summary

Under general supervision, provides a range of clinical, administrative, and staff support to a full-range dental services operation. Assists in the performance of dental and radiography procedures; prepares and maintains dental equipment and supplies in accordance with established protocol, procedures, policies, and standards, and assists in the coordination of day-to-day patient administration, records management, and office support activities. Provides patient services within the scope defined by the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Perform all job responsibilities of a DAIII including:

• Provides chair side assistance to dentists and/or dental hygienists in the performance of dental procedures, to include operative, preventive, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic, and/or oral surgical procedures. 
• Prepares, sterilizes, organizes, and sets up dental equipment, ensures that all dental instruments are cleaned, dated, and processed according to established clinic guidelines and standards. 
• Monitors and maintains dental equipment, such as compressors, evacuator systems, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers, and light curing units, in accordance with manufacturers' guidelines. 
• Develops and processes dental radiographs in accordance with provider orders; assists in the monitoring and maintenance of radiation safety procedures and protocols. 
• Follows and maintains all relevant federal, state, and institutional regulations, guidelines, policies, and standards for the provision of dental clinical services. 
• Orders and maintains inventories of dental clinic supplies. 
• Interacts with and processes dental clinic patients; performs telephone triage, conducts patient interviews, and obtains prior approvals from third party payors. 
• Maintains dental laboratory slips and creates and maintains dental records in accordance with established protocol and procedures. 
• Prepares instruments for sterilization and storage in trays.    
• Educates patients based on a sound knowledge of prevention and control of oral diseases; uses various teaching aids to effectively present the information to patients.
• Inventories and orders materials and supplies for the dental clinic.
• Contacts patients by telephone for return visits.
• Takes and pours up dental impressions under direction of a dentist.

Perform the additional duties allowed for an EFDA by the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care:

• Placing and shaping of direct restorative materials into cavity preparations completed by a dentist; EFDA may use instrumentation as necessary and proper for this purpose.
• Taking of impressions for permanent fixed or removable prosthetics involving single teeth, to include digital impressions. These include single crowns or single tooth replacement prosthetics. EFDA shall NOT take final impressions for multiple units of single crowns, bridges, cast framework partial dentures or full dentures final impressions.
• Cement permanent or provisional restorations with temporary or provisional cement, provided the permanent cementation will be completed or monitored by the dentist within six months.
• Place pit and fissure sealants under supervision as certification or licensure allows.
• Place temporary or sedative restorations in open carious lesions after hand excavation of gross decay and debris. If pain is perceived by the patient dentist shall evaluate lesion before completion by EFDA. The EFDA shall NOT use any automated method to clean out the lesion or prepare the tooth, including but not limited to high speed, slow speed, air abrasion, ultrasonic, laser etc.
• The EFDA may place temporary or sedative restorative material into unprepared tooth fractures as a palliative measure. The EFDA shall NOT use any automated method to clean out the fracture or prepare the tooth, including but not limited to high speed, slow speed, air abrasion, ultrasonic, laser etc.
• Remove residual orthodontic bracket or band cement or resin from teeth after the brackets or bands have been removed by the dentist performing the orthodontic treatment, or to prepare the tooth or teeth for re-cementation of a debonded bracket or band. This removal of cement/resin may include the use of instrumentation, as necessary and proper for this purpose.
• Perform preliminary fitting and shaping of stainless steel crowns which shall undergo final evaluation and cementation by a dentist.
• In emergency situation recement temporary or permanent crowns or bridges using provisional cement under the general supervision of a dentist and when instructed to do so by the dentist provided the permanent cementation will be completed or monitored by the dentist within six months.

Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School graduate or GED certificate required;
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish is preferred;
• 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified is preferred;

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Active license as a dental assistant from NM Board of Dental Healthcare with state certifications in:

• Dental Radiography
• Rubber Cup Coronal Polishing
• Application of Topical Fluoride
• Application of Pit and Fissure Sealants
• Active license as an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary from NM Board of Dental Healthcare;
• CPR Certification must be obtained within first 6 months of hire and maintained;
• Must have valid NM driver’s license and reliable personal transportation;

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Ability to work as a team member within a clinical environment. 
• Current knowledge of and ability to follow a full range of dental clinical procedures and protocols. 
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services. 
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
• Knowledge of sterile procedures.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoots a wide range of dental equipment in accordance with prescribed procedures and standards. 
• Ability to develop and process dental radiographs. 
• Knowledge of radiation safety procedures, standards, and protocols. 
• Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control. Interviewing skills. 
• Knowledge of planning and scheduling techniques. 
• Knowledge of patient evaluation and triage procedures. 
• Records maintenance skills. 
• Knowledge of and familiarity with compliance programs, and ability to cooperate fully and comply with laws and regulations;

Age of Patients Served

• Adult, geriatric, adolescent, pediatric

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS/WORKING CONDITIONS

A person in this position has sufficient time to complete most tasks although under pressure depending on patient and organization demands. There are frequent opportunities to relax from any physical exertion or to change position in work activities.

• Physical Effort and Dexterity: Good dexterity to operate personal computer, dental instruments and equipment, and basic medical and laboratory equipment. Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day. 
• Machines, Tools, Equipment required to be operated: Capable of using medical equipment, office machines and personal computers for word processing, data entry and retrieval.   
• Visual Acuity, Hearing, and Speaking: Must be able to read computer monitor output and results of basic medical tests accurately. Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately for work and safety compliance.
• Environment/Working Conditions: Work is mostly inside a clinic in a controlled environment. Normal clinic safety precautions and practices are required. Position may require travel throughout the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Work regularly scheduled Monday-Friday, although weekends may be required to meet deadlines.