CHAIRSIDE DENTAL ASSISTANT – LEVEL I
- Preparation of the working area
- Sterilization of instruments
- Handing instruments to the dentist or hygienist
- Suctioning the oral cavity
- Preparation of filling materials
- Expose, process and mounting of radiographs and photographs as specified by HARP
- Performance of simple laboratory procedures
- Recording data on patient’s record or chart
- Patient and community education on oral health (extra-oral)
- Other extra-oral duties as required by the dentist
- Holding curing light
- Placement and removal of articulating paper for occlusal adjustment
- Supporting the impression tray in the mouth
- Instruction in care and maintenance of pre-fitted appliances
- Holding a surgical flap that has been prepared and reflected by a dentist
LEVEL II INTRA-ORAL DENTAL ASSISTANT
(with NDAEB certificate)
National Mandatory Core Duties
- Chairside Dental Assisting (Level I)
- Dental radiography
- Mechanical polishing of the coronal portion of the teeth (not including any instrumentation)
- Placement and removal of rubber dam
- Taking of preliminary impressions of teeth for study models
- Topical application of anti-cariogenic agents
- Oral hygiene instruction with an intra-oral component
- Dietary counseling relative to dentistry
- Application of treatment liners (no pulpal involvement)*
- Application of matrices and wedges*
- Application of materials topically to prepare the surface of the teeth for pit and fissure sealants
- Application of pit and fissure sealants
- Application of topical anesthetics
- Application of desensitizing agents
- Whitening of the coronal portion of the teeth using materials generally available to the public without prescription
* Controlled acts not allowed in Ontario at this time.
Optional Level II Duties in Ontario (with NDAEB certificate)
- Polishing restorations
- Oral irrigation
PREVENTIVE DENTAL ASSISTANT (PDA)
(Listed with RCDSO prior to January 1, 2000)
- Chairside Dental Assisting (Level I)
- Mechanical polishing of the coronal portion of the teeth (not including any instrumentation)
- Placement and removal of rubber dam
- Taking of preliminary impression of teeth for study models
- Topical application of anti-cariogenic agents
- Oral hygiene instruction with an intra-oral component
DENTAL RECEPTIONIST/FRONT DESK ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS
- Patient reception and dismissal
- Appointment book control and managing recall system
- Block out times for reserved emergency and new appointments
- Maintaining and controlling business area
- Handle all incoming calls promptly and efficiently
- Patient follow-up treatment calls
- Public relations
- Bookkeeping
- Managing receivables and payables
- Prepare and balance bank deposits on daily basis
- Age and prepare outstanding account statements
- Maintaining financial records
- Incoming mail, invoices, packing slips and statements (forward to appropriate person for verification and/or payment)
- Maintaining file system
- Ordering and receiving supplies
- Performs required part of consultation
- Reviews medical history and explains office policies and procedures
- Makes a definite financial agreement with each patient/parent in accordance with the financial policy of the office. Prepares financial agreement form for each patient
- Monitors patient progress through each treatment
- Sends the patient records for consultation with appropriate specialists as required
- Co-ordinates goodwill program
- Helps to co-ordinate practice building and public relations efforts with patients, parents and referring professionals
- Print and proof-read patient correspondence
- Keeps treatment acceptance rate within practice goals
- Ensures the follow-up of "will-advise" and mail-in referrals
- Educates patients in practice policies such as finance and appointment as evidence by patients complying with policies.