Temporary Dental Assistant (Float)

About the role

The Dental Assistant works under the supervision of the Dental Director and Community Health Center Manager. Their primary role is to assist in the examination of patients and the delivery of dental treatment within a Dental Health Center setting.

Responsibilities

• Greets patients, reviews medical and dental history, and prepares them for dental treatment.
• Evaluates patient behavior and participates in the behavioral management of patients to alleviate anxiety or fears.
• Arranges dental instruments, assembles materials, and medications on the chair-side tray in the correct order.
• Provides post-operative instructions to patients and/or parents as prescribed by the dentist.
• Sterilizes instruments and keeps equipment and surfaces disinfected using various methods.
• Prepares material and impression trays for constructing models of a patient's mouth.
• Uses high-volume evacuation, air, water spray, rubber dams, or other devices to keep the oral environment visible during dental procedures.
• Aids the dentist/hygienist in ensuring patient, hygienist, or dentist safety during treatment.
• Takes and develops dental radiographs, adhering to radiation safety protocols.
• Disposes of waste materials from dental procedures according to OSHA guidelines and infection control protocols.
• Instructs patients and parents on proper oral hygiene and other dental issues.
• Affixes to staff outreach activities, including distributing promotional materials, making presentations, and giving tours to interested groups.
• Schedules and performs oral care education presentations at individual schools.
• Cleans and disinfects the general service area in the Health Center and on the Mobile Dental Center.
• Orders and stores service materials.
• Prepares bills for services provided and submits purchase requisitions for supplies to the Dental Director and CHC Manager for approval.
• Performs preventative maintenance on dental equipment and schedules inspections and repairs.
• Drives the Mobile Dental Center to and from schools, schedules maintenance and repair appointments, and performs routine maintenance tasks.

Requirements

• Experience: Six months as a Dental Assistant.
• Certification: Certified in monitoring and assisting in the administration of Nitrous anesthesia and certified in dental radiographs (x-rays).
• Communication: Demonstrates effective communication skills to engage, interact, and ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.

Qualifications

• Experience: Six months as a Dental Assistant.
• Certification: Certified in monitoring and assisting in the administration of Nitrous anesthesia and certified in dental radiographs (x-rays).
• Communication: Demonstrates effective communication skills to engage, interact, and ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.

Skills

• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to work in a noisy environment.
• Ability to handle chemicals and biological hazards.
• Ability to restrain and manage uncooperative patients.

Benefits

This position is benefited and is subject to the UAW GROUP CBA. Ingham County offers a wide range of benefits to support your career. View the Benefits page for more information. The current group contract can be viewed here.