www.mydentalconsultant.com • 800-595-2380DENTAL ASSISTANT CHECKLISTS
(edit checklists to fit your specific needs)The following is a list of the basic duties and functions you are responsible for on a daily basis. Additional policies and technical manuals are available to give you a more complete description of how to perform these functions.MORNINGTurn on overhead lights.Turn on RED light switches (water, compressor, & vacuum) in consult area, turn air conditioner thermostat to 70 degrees.UTurn on Nitrous and OxygenPrepare operatories for the first and second patients.Turn computers, x-ray machines and panoramic unit, carpule warmers on.Check for cleanliness and neatness.Check all supplies.Setup for the procedure indicated: restorative, crown/ bridge, or RCT.Empty all cold sterile storage containers and allow them to dry.FILL ULTRASONICLower blinds and chairs.Add extra solutions, usually a capful, to the x-ray processor and turn it on.Trim models and get lab cases ready to go out. Check on lab cases for coming weekBe ready for the morning staff meeting no later than a half hour before it starts.DAILYAssist the doctor at the chair.Clean operatory after each patient.Prepare room for the next patient.Clean used impression trays on specified day.Keep lab and instruments clean.Conduct inventory control:During the day constantly check supply of materials.Write down any needed supplies. Include all necessary information.Order supplies on Fridays, unless needed immediately. Ensure that the necessary paperwork and record keeping is always maintained regarding ordering supplies.Always check to be sure the needed supplies have not already been ordered.Review inventory needs with the doctor before ordering.Every day around 4:00, check the next day's schedule to ensure all lab cases are in.Complete all checklists for opening and closing the dental operatories.The receptionist will let the assistant and doctor know a patient has arrived by use of a colored slip that will consist of the patient’s arrival time and appointment time. If we are running behind schedule, the receptionist will come back 5 minutes later with another note to alert the assistant to this situation. The assistant must then go out to the reception area and apologize to the patient for running behind and inform him of how much longer we expect to be.End of DayBe sure all instruments are clean and turn on the autoclave.Clean all operatories:Flush suction (after oral surgeries).Clean suction traps every night, or as needed.Clean sinks (turn water knobs in each off), counters and chairs.Ensure all TV’s and lights are off.Turn off units and adjust air-conditioning or heat.Raise chairs in the operatories to the highest point Raise blinds in operatory 1 to their highest point.Empty the water containers in operatories 1 and 3, purging the system by forcing air through A/W syringe and high-speed hand-piece.Ensure all x-ray units and developers are off (making sure H2O is off, too).Make sure the stereo and the VCR/DVD are turned off.Turn off the water and 3 red switches.Turn off the autoclave.Check the crown cases for next day and make sure they are in for tomorrow’s scheduled patients.Make sure all impressions have been poured.If you are the last one to leave the office, ensure all of the lights are off and doors are locked.THE LAB MUST BE LEFT IN A CLEAN AND ORDERLY FASHION.
OPENING PROCEDURES CHECKLIST
_____ Lower thermostats to 70°_____ Turn on all lights, including carpule warmers and 3 red light switches _____ Empty autoclave_____ Turn on the processor and water in the x-ray room, add 6oz of fresh fixer and developer into appropriate tanks _____ Lower blinds in operatory #1 to a closed position_____ Lower chairs_____ Empty chair side cold steriles and restock needed supplies in operatories_____ Put away clean instruments_____ Set up operatories for first patients_____ Gather charts for the morning huddle, along with progress notes and lab Rx’s_____ Participate in the huddle and inform staff what procedures will be rendered for each patient_____ Give lab cases not completed the day before to the receptionist, to call for pickup* All of the above must be done before the morning huddle. This is why the assistant must arrive 45 minutes prior to patient start time.* Turn in this checklist to Dr. [name] daily, until notified in writing by the doctor that it is no longer necessary.
SIGNATURE: __________________________________ DATE: ______________
DAILY ROUTINE CHECKLIST_____ Greet patients and seat them in the operatory. _____ Review medical history and chart._____ Take any necessary x-rays before the doctor arrives to treat patient._____ Assist the doctor at chair side._____ Pour up opposing preliminary alginate impression (if necessary)._____ Fill out progress note information and place it in the chart; complete and secure the doctor’s signature._____ Fill out routing slip, accurately indicating all procedures performed, any prescriptions needed and the next visit information._____ Take chart, routing slip, and lab slip to the Accounts Manager before dismissing the patient from the chair._____ Dismiss the patient from chair and escort him/her to Accounts Manager for checkout._____ Clean the operatory after each patient._____ Prepare the room for the next patient._____ Pack any inserted/completed lab case in a zip lock bag and label it (patient’s name, insertion date, tooth number, prosthetic type). Empty the box in lab._____ Keep inventory control throughout the day. Constantly check the supply of materials and write down any needed supplies, including any necessary information and always check to be sure the needed supplies have not already been ordered._____ Sterilize instruments._____ File x-rays in charts._____ Trim and label all poured models._____ Wash, dry and hang lab coats when needed.
* Turn in this checklist to Dr. [name] daily, until notified in writing by the doctor that it is no longer necessary.
SIGNATURE: _______________________________ DATE:_____________
END OF THE DAY CHECKLIST_____ Ensure all operatories are clean and set up for the next day’s first patients and chairs are raised to their highest point._____ Open and pull up operatory #1 blinds._____ Turn off all lights in operatories, carpule warmers, curing lights, darkroom and x-ray units and Panorex machine._____ Turn off all three red light switches (water, compressor, vacuum)._____ Fill water bottles in operatories _____ Purge lines for high-speeds and A/W syringes._____ Remove all instruments from the Biosonic._____ Ensure all instruments are bagged and ready to go for sterilization cycle._____ Clean lab, including countertop and sink, and turn off all equipment._____ Ensure all models are poured, trimmed and labeled._____ Prepare all lab cases; label and box with Rx enclosed and get ready to go out the next morning. Give cases to the receptionist to call for pickup._____ Turn both thermostats up to 75°._____ Turn off the water valve and x-ray processor._____ Turn off the autoclave._____ Select progress note labels for each patient on the next day’s schedule and place in the chart along with the routing slip._____ Select the appropriate lab prescriptions (if applicable) for patients on the next day’s schedule. Fill out the name, date, date needed by, tooth numbers and instructions and place them in the chart along with routing slip and progress notes._____ Pull all lab cases for try-in or insertion for the next day’s schedule. Ensure all lab cases are in for the next day. Place cases in lab stock trays and label them with the patient’s name. Place them on the sterilization counter. Notify the scheduling coordinator immediately of any missing cases._____ Check in and put away any supply orders received.______ Shut off items in lab (ie: cerec milling unit, glazing oven, vacuum former)______ Turn off Nitrous and Oxygen______ Drain Ultrasonic
SIGNATURE: _________________________________ DATE: _____________Turn in this checklist to Dr. [name] daily, until notified in writing by the doctor that it is no longer necessary.WEEK ENDING ROUTINE CHECKLIST_____ Wash, dry and hang lab coats. Remove all pens, gloves and masks from pockets beforehand._____ Add oil to the compressor – to both ports in the laundry room._____ Remove all instruments from the Biosonics._____ Change solutions in the Biosonics._____ Ensure all instruments are bagged and ready to go for the sterilization cycle._____ Load and run the Autoclave._____ Turn off the autoclave._____ Clean the Autoclave. It must be warm when cleaned. _____ Empty all objects from all cold steriles. _____ Ensure that all used impression trays are scrubbed thoroughly in hot soapy water and then replaced in their proper containers above the lab sink._____ Run vacu-cleaner or bleach water through all suctions and pour a cup full of bleach water down each cuspidor._____ Change traps in all cuspidors._____ Empty water bottles in operatories #1 and #3._____ Run dilute bleach solution through air water syringes and high speed lines._____ Purge lines for the high-speeds and A/W syringes until dry._____ Clean all chairs in the operatory. Then, Armoral chairs and bases._____ Clean the lab, sterilization center, and operatory countertops and cabinets with soft scrub and all-purpose spray cleaner._____ Lower Panorex unit and wipe off the top of it with all-purpose cleaner._____ Do any other cleaning needed._____ Turn off the water valve and shut off the x-ray processor._____ Clean the x-ray processor. Follow the weekly maintenance schedule._____ Organize and check all supplies in Endo cart._____ Re-stock the operatories and cabinet above the autoclave._____ Re-stock the bur blocks from all operatories uniformly._____ Check in and put away all supply orders received._____ Check stock and inventory supplies. _____ Restock paper towel dispensers in all operatories, patient bathroom, lab, darkroom and sink._____ Restock the patient bathroom with soap, lotion and tooth-brushing supplies._____ Ensure that all models are poured, trimmed and labeled._____ Confirm that all lab cases prepared, labeled and boxed with the Rx enclosed and ready to go out the next morning. Give cases to the receptionist to arrange for pickup._____ Ensure that all lab equipment turned off. _____ Turn off all lights in the operatories, carpule warmers, curing lights, darkroom and x-ray units._____ Raise chairs to their highest point._____ Open and pull up operatory #1 blinds._____ Complete _______ Budget Report._____ Insert progress notes in charts for the next day’s schedule._____ Pull lab cases for next day’s schedule, place them in the lab stock trays and label them with the patient’s name. Place them in the designated cabinet above the sterilization counter._____ Place necessary (approved) supply orders. Ensure and record keeping is always maintained regarding ordering supplies._____ Empty the mailbox and completely handle all requests._____ Turn off both thermostats.
MONTHLY ROUTINE (first Friday of each month)_____ Perform spore testing in the autoclave and mail it. Then, document testing on the autoclave testing schedule in the dental lab._____ Clean the x-ray processor _____ Clean the cold steriles and change the solution._____ Remove all cuspidors and soak them in bleach water (50/50 mix) in lab sink._____ Place a new filter in the water filtration system. _____ Clean the suction trap filters in the maximizer pump._____ Clean the oil compressor and vacuum fan vent._____ Document the above on monthly maintenance schedule in the dental lab.
* Turn in this checklist to Dr. [name] weekly, until notified in writing by the doctor that it is no longer necessary.
SIGNATURE: _________________________________ DATE:____________