Dental Assistant

We provide meaningful careers that connect people with purpose.

We are united by a common purpose of providing the best and safest care; and by our shared values of Care, Truth, Participation, Compassion and Dignity.

Netcare invites you to be part of our journey.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Dental Assistant role requires a combination of administrative tasks and support in the daily operations of the Dental department. The incumbent is responsible to work under the direct supervision and direction of a registered Dentist in delivering safe, competent, and person-centred quality dental and clinical care as set out by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in the most cost effective and efficient way.

KEY WORK OUTPUT AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
 

DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION
 

Administrative support

• Assist with the daily operations in the dental department included but not limited to the following:
• Reception tasks e.g., answering calls, taking messages, monitoring access, opening patient files on Practice Management system and Electronic Health record, receiving and allocating patients and clients according to Triage SOP, manage Dental dairies and dashboard, scheduling of patients with Dentists, Oral hygienist, Specialists and/or Theatre administration and billing process, medical schemes and patients regarding available limits and patient liable amounts pertaining to treatment , assisting with estimates etc.
• Document control process: Assist with communication, co-ordination, printing, filing and follow up on manual document processes e.g. Medical control records (MCR’s), patient education material, relevant dental checklists, record keeping of confirmation/cancellations, dental statistics, attendance registers, duty rosters, time cards etc. to ensure compliance to dental standards, Standard Operational Process (SOP’s), Scope of Practice, POPIA and relevant legislative requirements.
• •Inventory of medical and dental supplies, devices and equipment: Comply with all financial and operational policies and procedures with regards to procurement, overall stock management, cycle count and stock take processes aligned to minimum and maximum stock levels to accommodate patient needs and prescribed treatment plans, support budget allocated and prevent wastage.
• Monitor, order, receive, check and unpack stationary required, Health Care Risk Waste (HCRW) stock, dental ethical and surgical stock according to arrangement and task allocation.
• Accurately capture dental stock and procedures to comply with all billing and goods received (GRV) requirements.
• Assist Clinic manager or responsible person with equipment need analysis for budget / Capital expenditure purposes - new dental equipment quotations (3 quotes according to preferred providers), preventative services schedule and programme, repair and maintenance within legal specifications.

Operational efficiencies

• Adhere to scheduled duty roster and electronic clocking process to ensure adequate dental resources is available in accordance with the Incorporated Practice (INC) administration agreement.
• Replenish all dental stock and consumables in accordance with operational requirements.
• Adhere to accurate recording of all used ethical, surgical, and consumable stock, cold chain management, Emergency care and trolley requirement in accordance with legislation and SOP’s.
• Accurately capture correct patient data and records on the Electronic Healthcare Record and all manual and electronic platforms according to Scope of Practice.
• Comply with POPIA requirements.
• Record functional checks done on dental equipment and comply with relevant SOP’s and manufacturers equipment requirements according to legislation and regulations. Report non – functional equipment immediately to CM or responsible person.
• Comply to systems, standard operating procedures and policies within the dental department and clinical areas according to Scope of Practice, Dental standards and legislation.

Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) management

• Adhere to the regulatory framework governing dental & clinical practice within the area of responsibility.
• Participate in the SHEQ risk assessment as part of the dental team including the dental risk matrix to identify and report on risks within dental areas, implement and adhere to control measures and evaluate and report to CM or responsible person effectiveness of control measures e.g. conduct monthly Phantom tests on dental X ray units, etc.
• Report non-compliance to safety and control measures, assist with root cause analysis and implement and adhere to remedial actions to mitigate accordingly.
• Follow and adhere to safety standards in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations (Act No 85 of 1993 as amended) within dental and other relevant areas.
• Comply with the disposal of Healthcare risk waste (HCRW) and human tissue in accordance with legislation.
• Participate in the workforce surveillance programme according to Group strategy and SOP’s.
• Be actively involved in maintaining and sustaining the Quality Management System and related health care standards as required to retain ISO 9001 certification.

BEST AND SAFEST PATIENT CARE
 

Person Centred Health and Care

• Serve as a dental clinical resource to assess, plan, implement, evaluate, document and record dental care in the unit according to the execution of the prescribed Dental treatment plan in line with Dental Assistant Scope of Practice.
• Adhere to the communication process between dental staff, Health professionals, management, and unit to eliminate patient care problems / issues.
• Provide a quality customer care service enhancing the patient journey and experience within the area of responsibility according to Scope of Practice.
• Comply to Safe medication administration SOP to ensure elimination of medication administration errors.
• Always adhere to legally, prescribed protocols of professionals aligned to the relevant Scope of practice, policies, and procedures as well as legislative body requirements.
• Assist and support clinic reception and all departments as and when required.
• Actively participate in reporting all near misses and negative clinical incidents to the CM, CNL or responsible person and assist with root cause analysis, remedial actions and capturing on Incident Management System (IMS) as per task allocation.
• Always apply basic principles of infection prevention and all standard precautions to ensure a safe, clean hygienic clinic environment e.g. housekeeping, instrument care, suction care, handpiece management, sterility and validation, autoclave process etc. and HCRW management
• Actively participate in quality improvement opportunities to support the dental quality indicators and clinical outcomes.

Data Management

• Capture all data accurately and comply with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), Dental standards and legal requirements

TRANSFORMATION OF OUR SOCIETY
 

Self - Management and Development

• Assume responsibility for own personal and professional development.
• Identify self- development needs in terms of job requirements and career progression and bring these to the attention of the immediate manager.
• Formulate action steps to close the gap between the ideal and actual state of competence
• Pursue self - development in one or both of the following areas:
• o Formal Studies,
• o Informal / self – studies, &
• o Share knowledge with relevant team members.
• Follow agreed upon (authorised) action steps until desired competence is achieved.
• Be punctual and behave appropriately to the business environment.
• Meet deadlines.
• Keep up to date with Netcare ‘s evolving policies and procedures.

Customer satisfaction: Build and maintain stakeholder / customer relationships

• Ongoing Customers satisfaction according to set standards
• Be a model of excellent customer service, ensuring that all customers always experience an excellent and satisfactory interaction.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with all key stakeholders, internal and external customers through on-going communication and feedback.
• The Dental assistant to participate in dental department meetings and other related forums as per request from Clinic manager or responsible person.
• Accurately capture and provide timeous information, including clinical information to customers and stakeholders as required in line with POPIA act.
• Report, record and assist with stakeholder/customer dental complaints according to task allocation or Clinic Manager request.
• Maintain patient safety, dignity, and confidentiality.
• Assist with patient flow in the dental department to minimise waiting periods

Education and training facilitation

• Actively participate in all training according to relevant training matrix to obtain sign off on compliance training, competencies aligned to daily tasks and Job description.
• Access, read, understand, and sign off on relevant quality review tools, clinical and other processes, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).
• Access, read, understand, and obtain sign off on Human Resources (HR) and other relevant Company policies and procedures.
• Provide proof of registration with the relevant governing body.
• Adhere to minimum requirements of Continues Professional Development (CPD) according to relevant governing body and provides evidence accordingly.

Resource allocation

• Adhere to resource allocation schedule to provide appropriate dental care according to needs, skills and tasks required

Teamwork

• Be an active member of the dental team taking responsibility for the effective and smooth running of the dental area.
• Co- operate and collaborate with other clinics and departments to provide appropriate support services

SKILLS PROFILE
 

EDUCATION
Essential

• Grade 12 or equivalent NQF Level 4 Qualification
• Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Dental assistant

WORK EXPERIENCE
Essential

• 2 – 3 years dental experience

Preferred

• Computer literate
• Dental care experience post qualification in private sector.
• Knowledge of Practice management system
• Knowledge of Medical Aid Schemes

KNOWLEDGE
Essential

• Good verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and to maintain effectiveness during changing conditions.
• Ability to work effectively and co-operatively with others by establishing and maintaining good working relationships.
• Excellent planning, organising and control / follow-up skills are essential.
• Must be customer care oriented.
• Must be able to use initiative

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• In the event of any physical or psychological limitation that may impair the employee’s ability to perform the required job function, the employee must consult the employer for reasonable accommodation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Professional flexibility in working shift hours while supporting daily business operations, including weekends, Public Holliday, and night shifts.
• Will interact with internal and external customers through several different means.

NETCARE VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS

Netcare Values
At Netcare, our core value is care. We care about the dignity of our patients and all members of the Netcare family. We care about the participation of our people and our partners in everything we do. We care about truth in all our actions. We are passionate about quality care and professional excellence.

• At Netcare, our core value is care.
• We care about the dignity of our patients and all members of the Netcare family.
• We care about the participation of our people and our healthcare partners in everything that we do.
• We care about the truth in all our actions.
• We listen with empathy and respond with acts of compassion in all interactions with our patients and their families.

The Netcare Way

Netcare is committed to providing quality care. Our basic service standard holds us accountable for the below seven behaviours which you will be accountable to uphold:

• Respect - I always greet everyone to show my respect.
• Identity - I always wear my name badge to show my identity.
• Dignity - I always treat others with consideration and humility to uphold dignity
• Care - I always act in the best interest of Netcare and others to show I care
• Compassion - I always listen with empathy and respond with kind action to show my compassion
• Appreciation - I always say thank you to show my appreciation.
• Diversity- I always embrace diversity to strengthen inclusivity and belonging.

Join the team committed to providing the best and safest health and care.