Registered Dental Assistant, 3050

About the Role

The Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) is a key member of the Native American Health Center’s (NAHC) Dental Department, providing chairside assisting support in a multi-disciplinary setting. The RDA will work at both General and Pediatric clinics, performing all duties in accordance with the Dental Practice Act, adhering to infection control practices, and maintaining HIPAA standards. This position may require occasional Saturday work, as needed and directed by operations. NAHC is an accredited institution, adhering to the standards of excellence set forth by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Responsibilities

• Assist in the provision of high-quality care within the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care for Registered Dental Assistants.
• Greet all members in a courteous, professional, and timely manner, displaying optimal customer service.
• Exhibit good chairside manners by maintaining a calm and patient demeanor, working well with diverse populations (e.g., children, elderly, individuals with mental and physical disabilities).
• Prepare charts by reviewing notes for planned treatments, setting up trays and operatory appropriately.
• Ensure the operatory is aseptic and adheres to infection control practices for member welfare.
• Update and enter member health history, medications, and complete dental charting in the Electronic Dental Record (EDR) system (Dentrix) accurately and timely.
• Provide oral hygiene instructions to members and parents/caregivers in collaboration with dentists.
• Obtain and record members’ vitals (e.g., blood pressure, pulse) as indicated by treatment or requested by the dental provider.
• Capture diagnostic-quality radiographs using digital technology and accurately document them in the EDR.
• Prepare instruments, trays, materials, and equipment for all dental procedures.
• Provide pre- and post-operative instructions, review required forms (e.g., consent, timeout form), and ensure completeness and signatures under the guidance of the dental provider.
• Apply four-handed chairside assisting techniques to optimize visibility, isolation, and instrument transfer for efficient and ergonomic procedures.
• Assist in optimizing member flow by keeping work areas organized, stocked, and clean, seating members, and supporting other dental team members.
• Remove instruments from the operatory, prepare them for sterilization, and perform sterilization and maintenance procedures according to department policy and manufacturer guidelines.
• Obtain preliminary impressions for diagnostic and opposing study models.
• Manage prosthetic lab cases by pouring, packaging, and recording outgoing cases in the tracking log accurately and timely.
• Record incoming cases in the tracking log and store them in designated areas.
• Inform the Dental Assistant Supervisor (DAS) of supply needs to maintain consistent inventory levels.
• Communicate effectively with dental personnel to relay information regarding member care (e.g., referrals).
• Perform coronal polishing, explain plaque control, and provide oral hygiene instructions to members, parents, and caregivers.
• Apply topical fluorides and varnishes as directed by the dental provider.
• Apply pit and fissure sealants as preventive treatment.
• Fabricate, adjust, cement, and remove indirect provisional crowns, removing excess cement from tooth surfaces with safe handling of hand instruments.
• Assist the Orthodontist with ligature ties removal and replacement (Oakland only).

Member Care

• Demonstrate understanding and apply working knowledge of safety policies to ensure safe patient practices.

Employee Safety

• Perform all duties safely, following protective protocols to ensure personal and others’ safety.
• Maintain compliance with ergonomic safety standards, practice good posture, and regularly perform ergonomic stretches.

Quality Improvement

• Actively participate in internal quality improvement teams and work proactively with members to drive initiatives in accordance with organizational mission, federal and state laws, and accreditation standards.

Additional Duties

• Provide translation services as needed for the department.
• Participate in outreach and off-site events, providing dental treatment at mobile and satellite clinics when requested by the direct supervisor.

Location: Native American Health Center, Inc. (NAHC), 3050 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94601
Work Hours: Full Time, 40 hours per week, 100% FTE
Status: Non-Exempt, Union Position