Dental Assistant (Certified)

About the role

Central City Health (CCH) has been serving the under-housed and at-risk population in metro Detroit since 1972, by providing integrated healthcare services. Our services include primary and pediatric care, dental care, behavioral and SUD care, supportive housing, and community re-entry services, to name a few. In 2024, our President/CEO, Dr. Kimberly Farrow-Felton received the esteemed Healthcare Hero Award from Crain’s Detroit Business honoring her exceptional contributions to the health and well-being of our community.

Responsibilities

• Ensures all actions, job performance, personal conduct and communications represent the organization in a highly professional manner.
• Collections patients’ medical history and vitals including blood pressure and pulse.
• Aids the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures for children and adult patients.
• Takes, develops and mounts dental radiographs (x-rays); takes impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth) and dental procedures.
• Advise patients, parents or guardians concerning, diet, hygiene, and disease prevention; provides health and wellness advice to patients/families based on dental office protocols and the dentist’s recommendations.
• Effectively communicates with other health care providers or community resources to provide comprehensive, all-encompassing care.
• Educates patients/families and the community about oral health related disease and prevention and self-management of acute and chronic dental conditions; recommends interventions to modify behaviors associated with health risks.
• Teaches patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health including, tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling.
• Performs office management tasks including those necessary for scheduling and confirming patients, entering documentation into patients’ records per doctor’s request, for the authorization of treatment, insurance processing and claims billing.
• Prepares and sterilizes instruments and equipment as an infection control measure.
• Provides patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling).
• Aids in the provision of direct patient care in all dental specialties including pediatric dentistry, periodontics and oral surgery.
• Participates in a multidisciplinary care team and identifies problems and provides feedback to team members regarding a solution.
• Aids in the workflow of the clinic as needed including registration and rooming of patients and the completion of intake paperwork.
• Orders and keeps documentation of supply orders, invoices, work orders, etc.
• Maintains an organized inventory supply system.
• Ensures continuous flow of communication with the Dental Director to enhance the quality of service to our patients.
• Serves as a resource to other providers and staff.
• Participates in performance improvement activities such as medical staff team huddles, quality assurance audits, continuing education, and Patient Centered Medical Home processes.
• Participates in meetings/conferences and continuing education and demonstrates a genuine desire to develop strategies for improved clinic operations and high-level patient care.
• Ensures certification remains current and valid.
• Affirms patients’ rights are being maintained at all times.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education And Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Must possess a certificate from an accredited dental assistant program required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of recent dental experience required; five (5) years of recent dental experience preferred.
• Successfully pass required state and/or national examinations highly preferred.
• Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) or Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) highly preferred.
• Experience in treating patients of all ages; Dental experience with children/adolescents preferred.
• Must be proficient with Electronic Dental Records and other databases/systems.
• Must meet all Continuing Education requirements.
• Knowledge of public health principles and practices; must be comfortable with community outreach.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain confidentiality relating to treatment in accordance with HIPAA guideline.