Dental Assistant

About the role

JWCH Institute, Inc. is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dedicated to providing comprehensive health care to low-income and homeless individuals in the County of Los Angeles. The Dental Assistant position supports the direct provision of primary dental care services, sterilization, and infection control.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the dentist’s chair-side assistant, utilizing four-handed dentistry techniques.
• Avoid minor patient difficulties, answer questions, and provide directions as authorized by the dentist or hygienist.
• Prepare dental procedures and equipment for patient treatment according to Dental Department protocols and dentist directions.
• Complete digital dental radiographs and take intraoral photographs in compliance with state regulations, laws, and Dental Department protocols.
• Perform independent procedures as delegated by the dentist, such as taking alginate impressions and performing coronal polishing, in accordance with state regulations, laws, and department directives.
• Maintain compliance with Infection Exposure Control, safety, and HIPAA requirements as outlined by local, state, and federal guidelines, as well as department and clinic policies.
• Ensure proper disposal of contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in compliance with Dental Department protocols, clinic policies, and state and federal regulations.
• Manage front office duties including scheduling and confirming appointments, verifying insurance and eligibility, checking patients in and out, collecting co-pays, and managing patient flow to enhance the patient experience.
• Adhere to all organizational safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
• Participate in required safety and compliance trainings and apply learned practices in daily work activities.
• Identify, report, and help mitigate unsafe conditions, incidents, or hazards in the workplace.
• Use equipment, tools, and supplies safely and responsibly in accordance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Dental Manager, Lead RDA, or Lead Dentist.
• Demonstrate an understanding of AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank You) to apply in patient encounters or team discussions.
• Utilize the AIDET communication framework to communicate with patients and team members in a manner that reduces patient anxiety, increases patient compliance, and improves clinical outcomes.
• Chairside Duties (Under Direct Supervision): Maintain operatory logs, clean suction lines, maintain dental unit waterlines, stock the operatory as needed, remove sutures, apply topical fluoride, place and remove rubber dams or other isolation devices, take alginate preliminary impressions, place, wedge, and remove matrices for restorative procedures, place non-caustic and non-aerosol topical agents, administer nitrous oxide for analgesia or sedation, remove post-extraction dressings, cure restorative materials using a light-curing device, take bite registrations.
• Chairside Duties (Under General Supervision): Apply topical fluoride in school-based settings or government public health programs, operate radiographic equipment, perform intraoral and extra-oral photography.

Skills and Abilities

• Effective written and oral communication skills in English is required. Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred.
• Ability to work with people from a wide variety of social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to work creatively with other healthcare professionals from various disciplines to achieve optimal results for the clinic’s patients, within an integrated primary healthcare system.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize assignments and responsibilities to ensure compliance with established deadlines and protocols.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word & Excel, email, electronic record systems, attachments, and online applications.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills are required.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged sitting or standing may be required.
• Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, radiation, and other conditions common to a clinical environment may routinely occur.
• OSHA Blood borne Pathogen Exposure Classification - Category I.
• Utilizes appropriate infection control protocols.
• May be exposed to low-level radiation.
• Will be exposed to outdoor environmental conditions while traveling.

Education and Experience

• A high school diploma or GED certificate is required.
• Completion of accredited courses in dental assisting is required.
• Radiation Safety Certificate is required.
• Completion of an 8-hour infection control course per California Dental Board guidelines, along with current CPR and First Aid certifications, is required.
• Coronal Polish Certificate will be required as of January 1, 2025.
• Comprehensive knowledge of dental assisting techniques and procedures across all phases of general dentistry.
• Knowledge of modern dental materials, including their storage, handling, and applications.
• All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce members are recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive pay and a robust benefits package that includes:
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Monthly employer-sponsored allowance for assistance with health premiums.
• Funded Health Savings Account (up to deductible) to assist with carrier-approved medical expenses.
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave) and 13 paid holidays.
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing plan.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Short- and long-term disability plans (LTD/STD).
• Life insurance policy & AD&D, and more!