Lead Dental Assistant ($21.11 – $27.03 per hour)

High Plains Community Health Center (HPCHC) is an equal opportunity employer that strives to create an environment for career advancement and professional growth at all levels. This position complies with organization-wide policies and Federally Qualified Health Center and OSHA requirements.

About the Role

The Lead Dental Assistant will provide effective training and ensure that new hires achieve and maintain the necessary skills. This position will also assist the Dentist and Dental Hygienist with administrative and clinical duties as a member of the oral health care team, with responsibility for patient exams and procedures under the scope of the Colorado Dental Practice Act.

Responsibilities

The Lead Dental Assistant is expected to prioritize time and responsibilities as follows:

Direct Patient Care (80%)

• Room patients in a warm and friendly manner.
• Collect and record patient medical and dental health histories, medications, allergies, and patient vital signs.
• Prepare operatories for procedures, including instruments, materials, and equipment necessary for each procedure.
• Take radiographs as ordered by the dental hygienist/dentist.
• Perform coronal polishing and flossing of teeth.
• Apply topical fluoride.
• Provide patient education for preventative dentistry, including proper brushing and flossing techniques, proper nutrition, the purpose of sealants, and the purpose of topical fluoride.
• Clean removable appliances and prostheses.
• Prepare for local anesthesia.
• Assist the dentist and dental hygienist in chair-side procedures routinely done in a general dental practice.
• Maintain the field of operation during dental procedures using retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing, and removing cotton rolls, etc.
• Understand and use the concept of four-handed dentistry.
• Place sealants.
• Monitor and respond to post-surgical bleeding and place post-extraction dressing.
• Place and remove retraction cord, temporary fillings, matrix bands, and dental dam.
• Fabricate custom trays, whitening trays, and athletic mouthguards.
• Fabricate and place temporary crowns.
• Remove temporary crowns and cement.
• Place liners and bases.
• Place and carve amalgam restorations.
• Place, cure, and finish composite restorations.
• Remove sutures.
• Take preliminary and final impressions.
• Pour and trim models.
• Complete lab forms, prepare outgoing lab cases, receive incoming lab cases, and deliver lab cases to drop locations.
• Provide the patient with pre- and post-op instructions as prescribed by the dentist following oral surgery, prosthodontic placement, and restoration placement.
• Provide home care instructions for removable prosthodontics.
• Take phone calls for the dentist from pharmacies, labs, patients, and other providers.
• Complete prescriptions as prescribed by the dentist.
• Present and educate the patient on the proposed treatment plan.
• Sterilize instruments, equipment, and supplies.
• Maintain, disinfect, and stock operatories and labs.
• Assist in training new dental assistants.
• Assist with medical and dental emergencies according to OSHA and office protocols.
• Follow and maintain infection control protocols.
• Chart periodontal probing and clinical findings of the patient as noted by the dental hygienist and dentist.
• Complete patient chart notes and charges.
• Complete referrals and send x-rays as directed by the dentist.
• Enter actions for every patient based on recall and follow-up needs.
• Prepare and mail recall cards.

General Duties (20%)

• Effectively train new support staff and ensure necessary skills are achieved and maintained.
• Complete competency checkoffs within 90 days of hire and yearly thereafter.
• Monitor and respond to staff call-offs.
• Answer incoming calls and assist patients with paperwork.
• Schedule and confirm appointments.
• Perform routine maintenance on equipment.
• Complete protocols for opening and closing the dental clinic.
• Participate in departmental and general staff meetings.
• Lead and monitor OSHA compliance and infection control protocols, including instrument sterilization, operatory disinfection, and staff adherence to safety standards.
• Perform quality control checks.
• Complete online education modules as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Current Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) or within 90 days of hire required.
• Successful completion of a dental assistant program or certification is preferred.
• Successful completion of continuing education for Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA or EDDA) and Techniques for Making Impressions and Temporary Restorations for the EFDA required.
• Radiation safety certification or successful completion of a radiation safety course required.
• One year of EFDA experience preferred.
• Experience working with diverse and/or underserved populations preferred.

General Requirements

• Demonstrates commitment to the organizational mission, vision, and values.
• Maintains knowledge of federal and state regulations related to FQHC’s and relative practice area.
• Exhibits the ability to make sound decisions for delivery of care/services.
• Demonstrates effective relationships with clinic staff, patients, public, outside vendors/agencies, and providers.
• Communicates effectively; demonstrates ability to speak, read, and write professionally, as well as compile, analyze and present information in English.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
• Exercises professional judgment, courtesy, and professionalism in daily interactions with others.
• Works both independently and as part of a team; establishes and maintains effective working relationships with health care team members and diverse patient populations.
• Displays time management and organizational skills to consistently meet deadlines.
• Performs other duties as required.

Pay

$21.11 – $27.03 per hour

Schedule

Full-time, day shift