UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Specification for Class
HOSPITAL DENTISTRY ASSISTANT SPECIALIST
UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP
8474 (SEIU Local 925 Clerical Nonsupervisory)
8717 (WFSE HMC)
BASIC FUNCTION
Assist dentists or dental residents in a hospital ambulatory, inpatient, recovery room and/or intensive care setting to provide dental care to medically compromised, trauma, or special needs patients in multiple specialty areas such as periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery and hospital dentistry. Set up I.V. sedation procedure to include drugs, supplies, and monitors.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Single class -- no series. Under general supervision, in a hospital setting, assist dentists or dental residents in multiple dental specialty areas such as periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery and hospital dentistry; prepare patients and environment for treatment; in approximately 25 percent of patient cases, monitor patients during I.V. sedation and general anesthesia treatment. Patients with trauma, severe or multiple medical conditions such as heart or liver transplant, patients undergoing chemotherapy or inpatient treatment for active HIV, renal dialysis patients, or special needs patients, such as those with severe mental disabilities, make up approximately 50 percent of the patient cases.
TYPICAL WORK
Set up antibiotic and sedation drugs for I.V. set-ups; attach monitors including pulse oximeter, automated blood pressure device, EKG and precordial stethoscope catheters, and other medical devices; monitor and record blood pressure, temperature, and pulse and pulse oximeter readings;
Present preoperative and postoperative instructions for general anesthesia and I.V. sedation to patients in all specialty areas; instruct patients in oral hygiene; monitor patients condition following procedures; instruct medically compromised special needs patients in home care procedures and the use of specialized dental devices;
Take extra-oral radiographs, cephalograms, and panorex films; operate medical camera to photograph intra-oral and extra-oral facial anatomy, orthodontic views, and patient views during surgery;
Perform telephone triage; recognize life-threatening emergent situations, such as injury, accident and trauma victims, and report to and assist dentist in urgent/emergent care; obtain and set-up emergency kit medications and adjunctive equipment for administration by the dentist;
Modify standard dental procedures and protocols to accommodate patients with special needs; assist patients with wheelchair or gurney transfer;
Monitor patient flow and assist in the management of multiple operatories simultaneously; verify presence of medical records, x-rays, and laboratory cases prior to scheduled appointments;
Perform expanded duties for general dental procedures such as taking study models; fabricating temporary crowns and restorations; placing topical anesthetic; applying acid etch and sealants; placing and removing rubber dam; placing and removing matrix and wedge; placing retraction cord; performing coronal polish and fluoride amalgam polish;
Perform expanded duties for specialty procedures such as placing and removing periodontal dressings; packing and medicating extraction areas; assisting in respective surgeries for periodontics, endodontics, and oral surgery; selecting orthodontic bands; placing and removing separators; preparing teeth for bonding; removing and replacing wires; performing minor adjustments to orthodontic appliances; and removing sutures;
Complete billing documents; verify accuracy of charges and diagnoses; respond to patient billing questions, referring as necessary to appropriate sources;
Perform related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Current certification as a dental assistant (CDA) or the ability to obtain same within six months; AND three years of experience as a dental assistant in a general practice setting and one year of experience in specialty practice (such as endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, or hospital dentistry)
OR
equivalent education/experience.
Legal Requirement
Registration with the State of Washington as a Dental Assistant
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
New Class: 2-10-95
New to CSA: 5-1-00
CSR Class Conversion (mc): 06-01-05
Revise Class: Updated Minimum Qualifications to reflect legal requirements under WAC 246-817-190 and updated language regarding patients with disabilities. Classification revisions negotiated with SEIU 925; approved 11-09-09, effective 12-01-09. Classification revisions negotiated with WFSE: approved 2-2-10, effective 4-1-10.