Residence Requirements:

THERE ARE NO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS EXAMINATION. There are eleven vacancies at the Erie County Medical Center Corporation. 

Examples of Duties:

A Certified Dental Assistant  providing supportive services to a licensed dentist in his/her performance of dental services at the Department of Dentistry at the Erie County Medical Center Corporation;

Assists the dentist during examinations and treatment of patients;

Seats and prepares patients for examination; takes preliminary medical histories and vital signs for review by the dentist;

Mixes amalgams, silicates and other restorative materials; Places and removes rubber dams, matrix bands and temporary separating devices;

Selects and pre-fits provisional crowns and orthodontic bands;

Takes impressions for study casts or diagnostic casts, space maintainers, orthodontic appliances and occlusal guards;

Removes orthodontic arch wires, periodontal dressings, temporary cement and sutures placed by a licensed dentist;

Applies topical anticariogenic agents and desensitizing agents to the teeth;

Sterilizes instruments and equipment for use by the dentist or hygienist;

Makes up dental charts;

Takes and develops x-rays;

Provides patient education;

Answers telephone and schedules dental appointments.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates must meet one of the following requirements on or before the date of the written test: 

A) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and completion of a New York State Education Department approved one (1) year course of study in dental assisting at either: 1. A regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university or a board of cooperative educational services (BOCES) program, either of which includes at least 200 hours of clinical experience; or 2. A non-degree granting institution which shall not be a professional association or professional organization; or

B) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and completion of an alternate course of study in dental assisting approved by the New York State Education Department at either a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university or a board of cooperative educational services (BOCES) program, either of which includes at least 1,000 hours of relevant work experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Possession of a license or limited permit to practice as a Certified Dental Assistant as issued by the New York State Education Department at time of appointment;

2. Possession of a license to practice as a Certified Dental Assistant issued by the New York State Education Department at time of permanent appointment.

Notes:

NOTE: 1.  Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements. 

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However,candidates may find information in the publication "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: www.cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm

Subjects of Examination:

Subjects of examination: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

1. Dental anatomy and restorative dentistry

These questions test for knowledge of terms used to identify teeth, their parts, functions, and abnormalities, and for knowledge of common practices used to assist in dental restoration procedures.

2. Dental charting

These questions test for knowledge of the symbols and codings used in dental charts to identify pathological conditions and treatments performed. Candidates will be presented with dental charts and asked to identify teeth according to conditions or treatments described in the questions.

3. Dental equipment

These questions test for ability to identify the various diagnostic and therapeutic instruments commonly used in a dental office treatment area. It will include questions on the roles, functions, and proper handling of tools.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  Unless otherwise noted, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculators.  Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", “Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited.  You may not bring books or other reference materials.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.