Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant I

The Dental Assistant assists the Dentists in providing direct patient care, including both routine and emergency treatment, and maintains proper dental records and timely completion of billing information.

Assists Dentists in providing quality dental care in all venues through which Health Care personnel provide dental care.

Organize and maintain dental instruments and working areas in strict accordance with Health Care sterilization and disinfection protocols.

Perform infection control procedures in accordance with Federal, State, local and organizational guidelines. To include cleaning and sterilization of instruments, operatory and other work areas.

Sterilize all dental instruments according to Federal, State, local and organizational guidelines, IE: inspection of instruments, packing/wrapping, and label prior to use of autoclave for sterilization.

Follow one way flow in the sterilization area to maintain workflow of instruments.

Maintain cleanliness and infection control measures in the dental clinical areas such as sterilization, operatory, laboratory, etc.

Adhere to the policies of the Health Center, as well as those of funding sources and third party payers.

Attend all regular dental team meetings and trainings.

Take inventory, stock all dental supplies, instruments and medications.

Stocking/restocking dental supplies. Bring supply boxes into clinic from UPS drop site. Review and mark supplies on PACKING LIST. Return completed packing list to supervisor.

Under direction of Dental operations manager and lead Dental assistant participation in the dental department's Quality Improvement Plan.

Assist front desk staff as necessary in scheduling, patient telephone correspondence

Maintain proper and patient flow management.

Seat and dismiss patients and set up operatory for procedures. Preparing and arranging instruments and required patient care materials.

Provide four and six handed assisting to dentists during procedures.

Maintain or obtain current CPR licensure.

Assist with patient dental charting, including date, service rendered, instruction given, treatment planning, medical history updates, etc.

Perform required laboratory procedures, to include pouring study models, preparing cases, wrapping them and packing them to be sent to the lab

Perform clinical procedures as delegated by dentists, including screenings, preparation of lab cases, and taking diagnostic digital radiographs.

Safely performs all duties by following required protective protocols to ensure personal safety as well the safety of others.

Provide patient instruction on oral care and demonstrate when necessary, as delegated by dentist.

Other related duties as assigned by the Lead Dental Assistant, Dental Operations Manager and Dental Director.

Bilingual/bicultural preferred. Strong commitment to CHCFC Mission required.

High school diploma or equivalent required, completion of an accredited dental assisting program or equivalent dental assisting experience preferred.

None required. CPR certification preferred. Experience in Health care setting preferred. Certification to take radiographs in Massachusetts preferred.

Ability to work with a diverse population and sensitivity to low-income populations. Legible handwriting for notation in patient charts. Highly organized. Proficient in Microsoft Office software. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Must be present during operating hours at assigned CHCFC site(s). Must be available outside the health center's normal business hours when necessary.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use the hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance, bend or push; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the required duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent when traveling between Health Center locations where medical care is provided. This position performs tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.

This job description is subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the employee works. Performs other duties as assigned.