REVISED TENTATIVE

Occ. Code 5350200

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

Positions in this title series handle and manipulate dental instruments and materials, and pieces of apparatus to assist dental practitioners and dental students in the examination and treatment of patients in a dental treatment office. 

These positions are found at Helen Hayes Hospital and the various facilities of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, the Offices of Mental Health and Children & Family Services, and campuses of the State University of New York (SUNY).  Positions of Senior Dental Assistant are classified only in the SUNY Schools of Dental Medicine.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

          DENTAL ASSISTANT: non-competitive; performs dental supportive services under a licensed dentists direct supervision; administrative supervision provided by Senior Dental Assistants at the SUNY Schools of Dental Medicine.  Incumbents of these positions can only perform those basic tasks, such as setting up tools, which have not been identified by the New York State Education Department as functions requiring licensure.    

          SENIOR DENTAL ASSISTANT: competitive; supervises Dental Assistants and assists in the training of dental students.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

          DENTAL ASSISTANT

Performs dental supportive services under a licensed dentists direct supervision.

·       Notes treatments to be performed during appointment and prepares work area by laying out materials and required instruments in proper array.

·       Prepares the patient for treatment by seating patient, obtaining records, and applying protective garb.

·       During the performance of treatment procedures by the dentist, stays by the dentist at chair-side, anticipates the dentists needs, and hands the dentist appropriate instruments and materials.

·       As indicated by the progress of events in treatment and as instructed by the dentist, personally performs retractions of the patients tongue and cheek, and manipulates syringes, irrigation and suction equipment to keep the patients mouth free of saliva and blood.

·       Continually observes patients general condition during treatment, including oral surgery, to detect evidence of distress or shock and reports observations to dentist.

·       Takes dental x-rays in accordance with Public Health Law.

·       Performs solely mechanical work upon inert matter in a dental office, such as trimming or mounting impressions taken by the dentist.

Performs office support and clerical work to meet the requirements of the dental facility.

·       Schedules appointments using various office tools.

·       Posts and files records, such as records of appointments and clinical records of patients conditions and treatments administered, in accordance with requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

·       Answers questions from and provides information to various parties regarding facility activities and procedures.

·       Prepares routine reports or assists others in the preparation of dental reports.

Performs light housekeeping tasks using infection control and OSHA guidelines.

·       Decontaminates, scrubs, packages, and sterilizes all instruments*.

·       Inventories packages and cartons of dental supplies and materials and reorders supplies using standard procedures.

·       Disposes of used materials in accordance with medical-waste disposal regulations and protocols, and removes and replaces soiled linens and other supplies.

·       Cleans, dusts, and polishes fixtures, furniture, and equipment in the dental facility.

SENIOR DENTAL ASSISTANT

Performs the duties described for Dental Assistant.

Supervises, trains, and evaluates Dental Assistants and assists in the training of dental students.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

          DENTAL ASSISTANT

Non-Competitive:  high school diploma; and either one year of experience in dental assisting or graduation from an accredited program in dental assisting. 

*Incumbents of positions that perform sterilization duties may be required to possess current certification by a nationally accredited central sterile technician credentialing organization as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician, or a substantially equivalent credential.         

SENIOR DENTAL ASSISTANT

Open-Competitive:  two years of experience as a dental assistant in a school of dentistry.   

Promotion:  one year of permanent non-competitive service as a Dental Assistant.

Date:  3/16

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.