Dental AssistantAt — Unique Dental
The intern will get hands-on experience in a dental clinic setting by working alongside dental health professionals to understand oral health and the health overall.
Tasks:
The student will support daily clinic operations while gaining experience in healthcare field and oral health promotion. Duties will include:
1. Assisting with patient flow by escorting patients to treatment rooms and preparing them for appointments.
2. Preparing treatment areas before and after patient visits by cleaning and disinfecting dental chairs, operatories, and equipment according to infection control protocols.
3.Sterilizing, organizing, and maintaining dental instruments in compliance with safety and infection prevention standards.
4. Completing laboratory requisition forms and coordinating the preparation and shipment of dental cases to outside laboratories.
5.Observing and learning patient education techniques related to oral hygiene, preventive care, and oral health promotion.
6. Assisting with patient record management and administrative tasks while maintaining patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
7.Supporting communication between clinical staff, patients, and external laboratories to ensure continuity of care.
8. Observing clinical procedures to better understand the relationship between oral health and overall health.
9. Participating in discussions with supervisors regarding public health concepts, access to care, and oral health disparities within the community.
This internship provides hands-on exposure to healthcare operations, infection control, patient interaction, and oral health promotion in a clinical setting while allowing the student to apply public health principles in practice.
Training:
The student will receive a comprehensive orientation and ongoing supervision throughout the internship. During the first week, the student will participate in a general clinic orientation that includes an overview of the clinic's policies and procedures, HIPAA and patient confidentiality requirements, workplace safety protocols and professional expectations.The student will be assigned a supervisor who will provide weekly one-on-one meetings to review progress and provide feedback. The student will participate in job shadowing experiences with dentists, dental assistants, and administrative staff to gain an understanding of clinical operations and patient care processes.The intern will learned Instructions on cultural competence and effective communication with diverse patient populations, overview of common dental conditions and preventive care practice, and guidance on identifying barriers to healthcare access and the social determinants of health that affect oral health outcomes. Throughout the internship, the student will receive continuous mentoring and opportunities to ask questions.
Learning Outcome:
-Demonstrate effective communication skills
-Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior
-Identify social and environment factors that influence oral heath
Risk Note:
Q: Will the student be required to work with hazardous materials, heavy machinery or heavy equipment? *Will the student be required to work with hazardous materials, heavy machinery or heavy equipment?Yes Will the student be required to work with hazardous materials, heavy machinery or heavy equipment?NoPlease provide details of safety measures, supervision and training *Please provide the following information:
1. Details of any training students will receive to safely handle the materials or equipment
2. Details of standards that individuals interacting with this equipment or material are held to at your organization (eg. OSHA standards)
3. Details of protective equipment (if any) are required to be used by students on placement
4. Any other procedures in place to mitigate risk of injury
A: 1. Details of training students will receive to safely handle materials or equipment
The student will complete an initial orientation covering workplace safety, infection prevention and control procedures, proper hand hygiene, sterilization and disinfection protocols, and the safe handling of dental instruments and equipment. The student will receive training on clinic policies, bloodborne pathogen awareness, exposure control procedures, and the proper use of personal protective equipment. The student will be supervised while learning tasks and will not perform any procedures without appropriate instruction and authorization.
2. Details of standards individuals interacting with equipment or materials are held to at the organization
The clinic follows all applicable federal, state, and local health and safety regulations, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention infection control guidelines for dental settings, HIPAA requirements for patient confidentiality, and established sterilization and infection prevention protocols. All staff and students are expected to comply with these standards at all times.
3. Details of protective equipment required to be used by students on placement
Students will be required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment when participating in clinic activities.Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may include gloves, face masks, protective eyewear or face shields, and protective gowns when necessary. Students must also follow hand hygiene protocols and any additional safety requirements established by the clinic.
4. Other procedures in place to mitigate risk of injury
The student will work under the supervision of qualified dental professionals throughout the internship. Exposure to hazardous materials and clinical procedures will be limited to activities appropriate for the student's training level. The clinic maintains written safety protocols, emergency procedures, sharps handling procedures, and incident reporting processes. Work areas are regularly cleaned and disinfected, equipment is routinely maintained, and students are encouraged to immediately report any safety concerns, injuries, or potential exposures to their supervisor.