Dental Assistant for Royal Caribbean Group

This person is expected to provide dental assistant services during the dental care to all Guests and Crew members who need it. The dental assistant shall help the dentist in all shipboard dental health‑related matters including responding to dental emergencies. Will also work with the rest of the medical team as part of the health team under the leadership of the Senior Doctor. To consistently exceed guest expectations and provide the highest levels of product and services, additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed. The dental assistant shall understand the Safety and Quality Management System (SQM) for Royal Caribbean ships and Quality, Environmental and Safety Management System (QESMS) for Celebrity ships, including responsibilities in the Safety Organization according to the Emergency Plan and Station Drill.

Responsibilities

• Help the Dentist including completion of dental forms/reports and the dental equipment and supply inventory.
• Ensure confidentiality of dental‑medical information.
• Provide dental hygiene education to the crew as directed by the dentist/ DDS.
• Assist the DDS in carrying out all professional responsibilities and duties.
• Provide dental assistant level of care for minor and major dental emergency situations for passengers and crew.
• Provide dental hygiene and cleaning to patients.
• Operate basic dental instruments as instructed by the DDS.
• Remove residual debris from dental equipment, clean and sterilize dental equipment.
• Examine oral cavities for signs of dental illness.
• Write records of dental care in our electronic medical record system.
• Keep dental equipment and instruments in good condition.
• Keep the workplace clean, tidy and in order.
• Take vital signs of patients.
• Report any abnormal findings to the DDS and make record of these in the electronic medical record system.
• Participate in all lifeboat and emergency drills held on board unless excused by the Staff Captain.
• Assist in maintaining a proper inventory level of pharmaceutical and medical and dental supplies, and prepare requisitions as needed for the doctor's signature.
• Conduct weekly inventory of pharmaceuticals aboard the ship.
• Advise Risk Management and the Director of Medical Operations of any substantial missing items or supplies.
• Prepare reports and documents as requested by the DDS.
• Follow the doctor's instruction with respect to inspection of dental equipment and supplies.
• Ensure that all expired medications, supplies, or materials are removed from the shelves and disposed of according to environmental policies.
• Maintain current dental records for all crew members and passengers.
• Assist the dentist in the creation of any report logs for accidents that involve an injury to the teeth.
• Prepare and maintain records of dental charges.
• Sterilize surgical instruments.
• Order dental supplies and equipment.
• Maintain proper levels of inventory through use of the AMOS ordering system.
• Properly dispose of hazardous wastes and used sharps (needles, syringes).
• Fill out and distribute all forms associated with the dental department.
• Prepare and submit a list of accidents/injuries by department for the monthly Crew Safety and Environmental Committee meetings.
• Execute and have a good working knowledge of all paperwork associated with the operations of the Medical Center as these may relate to any Dental Facility operations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or as directed.
• Support the dentist and the medical team in any emergencies.

Education

• Degree in Dental Assistance.
• Valid dental assistance license from country or State/Province of origin is required.
• STCW Documents: Basic Training: Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting, Medical First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility, Personal Survival Technique, Security Awareness, Seaman's Book (Continuous Discharge Certificate).

Qualifications

• Current and in good standing Dental Assistant licensing.
• Minimum of three (3) years post‑graduate clinical experience is required in the fields of general dentistry assistance.
• Intermediate to Advanced verbal and written level of English is required.
• Must provide a chronology of all dental activities since graduation from dental assistant school.

Language Requirements

• English: ability to speak clearly, read, and write to understand procedures and communicate with guests, supervisors, and co‑workers.
• Ability to speak additional languages (e.g., Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German) is preferred.

While performing the essential functions of this job, all team members are required to stand; walk long distances on the ship; use hands to touch, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk, hear, taste and smell. All vessel positions require repetitive motion of bending, climbing, going up and down stairs and being able to lift 50 pounds. This job requires specific vision abilities to include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. All team members must be physically able to participate in emergency lifesaving procedures and drills. All vessel positions require full use and range of arms and legs as well as full visual, verbal and hearing abilities to receive and give instructions in the event of an emergency including the lowering of lifeboats. Work within different temperature changes—indoors to outdoors. Able to pass basic safety course. This is a minimal description of duties. Other work requirements may be necessary and assigned as business or maritime law dictates.

Key Responsibilities

• To provide dental services to all Crew‑members and, when required, Guests.
• The Dentist or DDS shall assist the Staff Captain and Senior Doctor in all shipboard dental health‑related matters including dental hygiene education, dental hygiene campaigns, dental trauma management, dental emergencies management as limited by the onboard dental capabilities.
• In order to consistently exceed guest expectations and provide the highest levels of product and services, additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

Required Documents upon Boarding

• DDS must bring the following documents or their photocopies with them when they arrive to the ship: Dental School Diploma or equivalent, Dental Specialization Diploma if one is available, and professional license certificates that are valid for the entire lengths of their contract.
• It is the responsibility of the dentist to take the courses and tests that are necessary to keep these licenses valid along with any necessary post‑graduate credits.