Dental Assistant

About the Role

Provides a range of clinical and staff support to a full-range dental services operation. Assists in the performance of dental and radiography procedures; prepares and maintains dental equipment and supplies in accordance with established protocol, procedures, policies, and standards, and assists in the coordination of day-to-day patient administration, records management, and office support activities.

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Schedule

36-38 hours per week.

Pay

$18.00 - $20.75 DOE. Employees can receive up to $520 on the quarterly bonus.

Responsibilities

• Provides chair-side assistance to dentists and/or dental hygienists in the performance of dental procedures, including operative, preventive, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic, and/or oral surgical procedures.
• Prepares, sterilizes, organizes, and sets up dental equipment, ensuring all dental instruments are cleaned, dated, and processed according to established clinic guidelines and standards.
• Monitors and maintains dental equipment, such as compressors, evacuator systems, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers, and light curing units, in accordance with manufacturers' guidelines.
• Develops and processes dental radiographs in accordance with provider orders; assists in the monitoring and maintenance of radiation safety procedures and protocols.
• Follows and maintains all relevant federal, state, and institutional regulations, guidelines, policies, and standards for the provision of dental clinical services.
• Assists with ordering and maintaining inventories of dental clinic supplies.
• Interacts with and processes dental clinic patients; schedules appointments, performs telephone triage, conducts patient interviews, and obtains prior approvals from third-party payors.
• Maintains dental laboratory slips and creates and maintains dental records in accordance with established protocol and procedures.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Completion of a Dental Assistant program from an accredited institution.

Skills

• Current knowledge of and ability to follow a full range of dental clinical procedures and protocols.
• Ability to work as a team member within a clinical environment.
• Knowledge of patient evaluation and triage procedures.
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
• Knowledge of planning and scheduling techniques.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a wide range of dental equipment in accordance with prescribed procedures and standards.
• Knowledge of radiation safety procedures, standards, and protocols.
• Ability to develop and process dental radiographs.
• Records maintenance skills.
• Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.
• Knowledge of sterile procedures.

Working Conditions

Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment. No or very limited physical effort required. No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Other Responsibilities

• Family Health Services enforces a safety culture where all employees are responsible for continuously developing and maintaining a safe working environment. Each employee must complete all training requirements, participate in emergency response tasks as requested, and serve on safety committees and teams as requested. Employees must adhere to all written and verbal safety instructions and promptly report hazards or unsafe conditions.
• Employees must ensure accurate documenting and billing practices in compliance with FHS, state, and federal regulations. Participation in compliance training and reporting any concerns or activities that may violate standards is required.
• Employees are expected to participate in the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) process by being an active and willing team member. Specific duties and expectations may vary by position and site.
• Employees must read and understand the general and specific operational, safety, and environmental requirements of all plans, procedures, and policies pertaining to this job.