Dental Assistant

About the role

Since 1970, Salud has been committed to providing a Medical Home to patients, where medical, dental, behavioral health services, and clinical pharmacists work together and coordinate efforts in a team-based system of care. We strive to improve the quality of our patients' lives who would otherwise have limited access to health care. We serve all individuals regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Our Mission is to provide a quality, integrated healthcare home to the communities we serve.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Dental Director, Dentists, and Dental Hygienists in the care and treatment of patients.
• Perform duties in reception, chairside assisting, inventory, and records.
• Prepare the treatment room.
• Maintain the schedule and ensure the team sticks to it.
• Interact with patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Assist the dentist chairside.
• Travel to other clinics based on staffing shortages.
• Operate, maintain, and document in the electronic record.
• Reliably take diagnostic digital X-rays in a timely fashion.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and staff.
• Motivate patients.
• Work well with other patient care team members.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to low‑income and ethnic minority communities.

Qualifications

• Experience: Previous dental assistant experience is desired, but not required.
• Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent is required.
• Licensure/Certification: No licensure or certification is needed to be hired.
• Must be radiology certified through a state‑approved radiology program, within the timeframe set by Dental Department standards.
• Successful completion of Salud Family Health Center Ladder’s program is required.
• Successful achievement of the Registered Dental Assistant Program certification is required.
• Maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers from one of the following organizations: American Heart Association; American Safety and Health Institute; or American Red Cross.

Skills

• Ability and willingness to learn.
• Desire to expand abilities.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to motivate patients.
• Ability to work well with other patient care team members.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and document in the electronic record.
• Ability to reliably take diagnostic digital X-rays in a timely fashion.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and staff.
• Sensitivity to low‑income and ethnic minority communities is a must.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:
• Medical PPO Plan (Similar to ACA Exchange Platinum Benefit Coverage Levels)
• Low employee premiums, especially given rich benefits
• $25 Primary Care Physician and Specialist Co-pays (in‑network)
• Low deductibles and co‑insurance
• Free provider visits and services at all Salud facilities
• Preferred prescription pricing at Salud pharmacies
• Dental PPO plan
• Includes Employee Discounts at All Salud Dental Facilities
• Vision
• Generous vacation accrual
• 10 Paid Holidays per year (includes 2 Floating Holidays and paid Birthday)
• Up to 8 Paid accrued Sick Days per year
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan – Salud contributes 5% of your compensation each month (no matching employee contribution required)
• Employees who have worked at least 1,000 hours within a 12‑month period are eligible.
• 403b Retirement savings plan – you can contribute pre‑tax or after‑tax (Roth) towards your retirement savings.
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Basic Life and AD&D
• Supplemental Life and AD&D
• Short‑Term & Long‑Term Disability
• Accident & Critical Illness Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

Pay

Starting $21 to $26.50 per hour

Schedule

Monday to Friday – 8 am to 5 pm