Hospital Dentistry Assistant Specialist – DECOD
Last updated: July 10, 2025
UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP
18473 (NE S SEIU 925 Non Supv)
23707 (NE H NI SEIU 925 Non Supv)
BASIC FUNCTION
Assist dentists, dental hygienists, dental residents, dental students, and other providers and learners to provide oral health care to patients in the Dental Education in the Care of Persons with Disabilities (DECOD) clinic.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Single class — no series. Under general supervision, assist dentists, dental hygienists, dental residents, dental students, and other providers and learners to provide oral health care to patients in the DECOD Program Dental Clinic and DECOD Program Sites. In approximately 90% of cases, patients will be considered to have conditions that fall within the field of special care dentistry. These conditions include physical, medical, developmental, or cognitive limitations that restrict their ability to receive routine dental care.
TYPICAL WORK
Assist with general dentistry procedures for patients with special needs, individually tailoring support appropriate to each patient’s unique needs, via the least restrictive alternatives possible including behavioral, pharmacological, and/or physical supports;
Modify standard dental procedures and protocols to accommodate patients with special needs; Assist with and facilitate care via behavioral, pharmacological, and/or physical supports; assist patients with wheelchair or gurney transfer;
Maintain safety of all members of the dental team, including patients and their representatives, staff, students, and other learners; monitor patient behavior for signs of distress and adhere to principles of de-escalation;
Educate students and other learners within the scope of general dentistry for patients with special needs and dental assisting techniques in the delivery of patient care for patients with special needs; educate students and other learners on the use of facilitation techniques and appropriate ergonomics for patients with special needs; motivate learners to improve access to care for this population;
Monitor patient flow and assist in the management of multiple operatories simultaneously; verify presence of appropriately completed consent forms, medical records, x-rays, and laboratory cases prior to scheduled appointments; Review health history with patients, caregivers and guardians;
Assist in various four-handed techniques, including assisting in the treatment of patients with disabilities, geriatric patients, and patients with other special health care needs, including persons with physical, medical, developmental, or cognitive conditions which limit their ability to receive routine dental care. Take intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs, operate medical camera to photograph intra-oral and extra-oral findings;
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;
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;
Attach monitors including pulse oximeter, automated blood pressure device, monitor and record blood pressure, temperature, and pulse and pulse oximeter readings;
Present preoperative and postoperative instructions to patients with special needs patients and their patient representatives, which may include caregivers, guardians, and other support persons; instruct patients and their representatives 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;
Maintain clinic equipment and supplies; clean and sterilize equipment;
Perform other duties as assigned.
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 and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Registration with the State of Washington as a Dental Assistant
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
- 02/10/1995: New Class
- 05/01/2000: New to CSA
- 06/01/2005: CSR Class Conversion
- 04/01/2010: 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.
- 07/01/2025: New Class. Work previously performed by SEIU 925 Hospital Dentistry Assistant Specialist (job code 18474).