Dental Assistant Forest Hill Casual

Job Description
Job Title Dental Assistant
Reports To Dental Coordinator
Direct Reports N/A
Role Purpose
A Dental Assistant plays some important roles in the success of a dental practice:
For the patient -they act like the ‘best friend’ and ‘personal assistant’ during the patient’s journey in the dental centre by making them feel comfortable and treating them like a VIP guest.
For the dentist -They provide assistance directly during patient appointments and indirectly by coordinating the dentist, clinical facilities, equipment, instruments and dental materials to facilitate patient care in a safe, efficient and seamless manner.
For the team -They play a lead role in maintaining the centre’s compliance with relevant legislations and guidelines for patient and team safety.
Key Responsibilities
Administration
- Conduct tasks in accordance with Primary Dental and ForHealth policies, procedures and processes
- Provide admin support to dental practitioners and the Dental Coordinator
- Provide accurate recording of communications to dental practitioners and the Dental Coordinator
- Maintain the highest degree of accuracy when recording relevant administrative data
- Liaise with the Dental Coordinator in regard to daily administrative tasks, reports and procedure clarification
- Complete accuracy to be maintained for Health Fund claiming complying with fee structure set down by individual health funds

Operational Effectiveness
- Follow Primary Dental’s Standard Operating Procedures, policies and guidelines required for your role.
- Develop professional working relationships with centre staff and dental professionals
- Ensure the general maintenance and appearance of the practice
- Report all patient and dentist complaints to the correct person in time
- Provide the desired level of customer service at all points of contact [both internal and external customers]
- Attend meetings with the Dental Coordinator, broader Medical Centre staff, Dental State Manager and Senior Dental team, as required
- Participate in internal and external training as required and recommended
- Use all equipment and PPE [Personal Protective Equipment] as instructed via management direction or operational training
- Report any faulty equipment to the correct person and assist in coordinating maintenance and repairs where required

Reception
- Personally, and individually greet and welcome dental patients attending the centre.
- To explain fully to all patients the policies around payment and appointment cancellations.
- To proactively and efficiently book in returning patients, collect money owing, issue any receipts and allocate monies to the appropriate provider.
- To be aware of patient wait times and keep those patients informed of expectations.
- Appoint new patients according to protocol.
- Ensure the reception desk and waiting area is kept tidy and organised during your shift and is attended at all times
- Ensure patient complaints are dealt with in a courteous, efficient, sensitive and tactful manner and reported to the Dental Coordinator and/or State Manager
- Manage patient and dentist concerns in a timely and respectful manner
- Open the dental practice when required
- Follow all reasonable and lawful directions from the Dental Coordinator and other management
- Respond to incoming enquiries in a timely, professional and appropriate manner.
- Monitor and act on outstanding accounts as per practice protocol.
- Ensure patient recall information is updated.
- Identify office supply shortages and order as per centre protocols.
- Ensure patients are being recalled and confirmed for their next appointment using the correct procedures

Service Excellence
- Remain present, calm and responsive. Think ahead. Act with purpose. Work quickly without appearing rushed.
- Look for ways to treat your patient like a long-time friend or family member and go the extra step to exceed their expectations.
- Anticipate the needs of your patients and help to set the correct expectations to avoid a negative experience.
- Maintain exceptional key stakeholder relationships with Medical Centre division managers and team members.
- Respect patient confidentiality and treat all patients and team members with the respect, courtesy and empathy you would like to receive
- Maintain confidentiality of company strategic, operational, personnel and financial details
- Deliver industry leading patient experiences by continuously looking for ways to improve and providing feedback to the relevant people on areas for improvement that could negatively impact the patient and/or the company.

Clinical Governance
- Comply with the procedures and processes outlined in our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and help your team maintain these standards at all times.
- Maintain infection control and WHS requirements for the Dental centre
- Actively identify areas for improvement, implement and document improvements accordingly
- Assists dentists during clinical procedures with