Dental Assistant I

About the role

The Dental Assistant (DA) is responsible for providing the patient with high quality care by performing a variety of office, laboratory, and patient care duties. The DA assists the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures by preparing patients and handling instruments and materials. The DA also performs many other tasks including clinical infection control procedures, maintaining, and ordering materials/supplies, cleaning and disinfecting operatories, cleaning and sterilizing instruments, maintaining equipment, taking x-rays, educating patients and other duties as allowed and permitted under the California state law.

Responsibilities

• Prepares patients and handles instruments and materials during treatment procedures.
• Performs clinical infection control procedures.
• Maintains, orders, and manages materials/supplies.
• Cleans and disinfects operatories.
• Cleans and sterilizes instruments.
• Maintains equipment.
• Takes x-rays.
• Edits patients and other duties as allowed and permitted under the California state law.

Qualifications

• Certificate in Dental Assisting from a Board-approved educational program.
• If dental assistant did not complete Dental Assisting Program, employee must have completed a Dental Board approved radiation safety course (certificate required).
• Minimum of 1-year of work experience is preferred.
• Must maintain a current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation certification, in compliance with corporate CPR Policy.
• Must be willing to obtain RDA license from Dental Board or already be in process of obtaining license.
• Computer skills in electronic dental/health record systems, and database systems.
• Fluency in English (speak, read, and write).
• Fluency in Spanish (speak, translate, read, and write) is required.
• Ability to work effectively as a team player.
• Ability to be flexible and work in a changing environment.
• Basic leadership skills.
• Effective work organization skills.
• Sensitivity to the different cultures represented among members and staff.
• Ability to solve problems and make routine recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to listen and communicate with others in a professional and caring manner including sensitivity with individuals from diverse cultures and lifestyles.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities for tasks to work effectively in spite of interruptions and under minimal supervision.
• Self-starter, reliable and dependable.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served and has knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality about health care and other patient/client information.
• Current California driver’s license, appropriate insurance coverage and a driving record acceptable to the NEVHC’s insurance carrier (if required to drive on the job).