DENTAL ASSISTANT CHECKLISTS
OPENING PROCEDURES
(edit all checklist as you see fit)
_____ 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 dental office 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
DAILY ROUTINE
_____ 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, prescriptions needed, 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.
END OF THE DAY
_____ Ensure all operatories are clean, 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
WEEK ENDING
_____ 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.
END OF MONTH (FIRST FRIDAY OF 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.