Job Title:                Dental Assistant

Department:           Dental

Reports To:            Health Center Manager

FLSA Status:         Non-Exempt

Wage Range that the Company Expects to Pay:  

• Dental Assistant I: $19.50 - $23.70
• Dental Assistant II (Registered): $22.50 – $27.35

SUMMARY 

Under the direct supervision of the Health Center Manager and the general supervision of the Dental Regional Operations Manager, the Dental Assistant assists the dentist(s) and dental hygienist(s) in providing quality dental care and services. The Dental Assistant is also responsible for sterilization, preparation, and inventory control of dental instruments and supplies. 

It is the primary purpose of CHCCC to provide the highest quality of total care possible to the patient population it serves. Such a level of quality depends ultimately on the staff's desire and ability to work together, individually, and as a team. The employee is expected to be professional, punctual, maintain regular attendance, cooperative, motivated, and organized at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Additional duties may be assigned with or without prior notice.

Assists patients in resolving minor difficulties, answering questions, and giving directions as authorized by the dentist or dental hygienist.

Takes and records medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.

Serves as dentist’s and/or dental hygienist’s chair-side assistant.

Exposes dental radiographs in accordance with state regulations as well as Dental Department directive and protocol.

Monitors patient flow and assists the Dental Director, dentist(s), and dental hygienist(s) to ensure that all patient records and documents are properly and accurately completed.

Prepares exam rooms by sterilizing and disinfecting instruments, maintains cleanliness per infection control guidelines, and sets up instrument trays.

Prepares operatory for patient treatment as per department protocols and dentist or dental hygienist directions.

Educates patients in oral hygiene, plaque control programs, and postoperative instructions prescribed by the dentist.

Records treatment information in the patient medical record.  

Assists dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies.

Ensures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive, company policy, and state and federal regulations.

Assists in various administrative tasks including but not limited to, scheduling appointments, preparing bills and receiving payment for dental services, completing insurance forms, and maintaining clerical records.

Participates in health promotion/disease prevention activities, both on-site and off-site as required.

Dental Assistants registered through the California Dental Board will be responsible for placing dental sealants, placing temporary fillings, completing out a coronal polish, and fabricating a temporary crown.

Demonstrates professionalism when calling patients and provides quality customer service using AIDET Standards.

Ability to work with high volume of patients, internal/external customers, and deal with frequent changes, delay or unexpected events.

Demonstrates adherence to and observes all safety policies and procedures, inclusive of infection control rules and regulations.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served (infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults or geriatrics).

Demonstrates knowledge of domestic violence, child and dependent abuse protocols.

Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and competence with patients.

Maintains and adheres to HIPAA, employee confidentiality, and privileged communications (patient, employee, and corporation).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or GED required. Graduation from an accredited Dental Assisting program. Current Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license issued by the State of California Dental Board preferred.

Minimum one year of recent experience in dental care preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, policy and procedure manuals. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquires or complaints. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of patients or employees of organization. 

Bilingual – ability to read, speak, and write in English and another language is desirable.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply sound judgment in understanding to carry out instructions in written or oral form. Ability to make appropriate job decisions following standard office policies and past precedents.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Experience with word processing, spreadsheets, email, and keyboarding required. Microsoft Office and Google Suite skills required. Working knowledge of EHR required. Competency in EHR system required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

Possession of current, valid, unrestricted California Driver's License (Class C) required.

If registered by the State of California Dental Board, must maintain a current, valid, unrestricted RDA license.

Current CPR (BLS-C) card required. Must obtain a valid CPR card within first 60 days of employment if not certified at time of hire.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Required to pass a criminal history background check and drug screen upon hire.

Annual health examination; annual Tuberculosis skin test clearance or chest x-ray; proof of immunity to MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B; proof of Tdap vaccine; during current flu season, must provide proof of influenza vaccine or a signed declination form. If declined, a flu mask is mandatory during flu season.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

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 regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to sit for long periods of time. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to use appropriate body mechanics techniques while chairside assisting. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds of supplies. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is moderate (i.e. office and clinic setting with computers, phones, and printers). Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Must be willing to have a flexible work schedule that may include evenings/weekends, and travel as needed.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.