Dental Assistant

At Community Medical Centers (CMC), we’re passionate about improving health and well-being in the communities we call home. That’s why we work to ensure even our most vulnerable neighbors have affordable access to quality healthcare, regardless of age, income, or background. We offer integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services, with a model of care that puts the patient at the center of a team-based approach. As one of the region’s largest healthcare providers, our growing network of neighborhood health centers serves over 100,000 patients in San Joaquin and Solano counties.

MISSON

Working together to improve health and well-being in our communities.

BENEFITS

• Competitive Pay
• Medical, Dental, & Vision benefits options for full-time employees
• Flexible spending account for medical expenses
• Dependent care
• Employee assistance program
• Life Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Short Term/Long Term Disability Insurances
• 403(b) retirement saving plan with company match
• 10 paid sick days/12 Holidays/Vacations days vary on position
• In Shape Discounted Gym Membership
• Excellent growth and advancement opportunities
• Collaborative and diverse environment

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Dental Assistant is responsible for assisting the dentist in all aspects of dentistry. The Dental Assistant reports to the Office Manager.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Assists the Dentist in all phases of four-handed dentistry
• Under general supervision, performs mouth-mirror inspections of the oral cavity, to include charting of obvious lesions, existing restorations, and missing teeth
• Takes impressions for diagnostic and opposing models
• Places and removes rubber dams
• Assures that operatories and equipment are maintained clean and organized for use
• Sets-up tables and trays with necessary items and instruments
• Sterilizes instruments as needed--autoclave & cold sterilization
• Maintains inventory of all dental supplies
• Assists the dentist and hygienist to provide special knowledge on the preventive aspect of oral health to center patients
• Performs basic administrative office procedures
• Records oral exams as directed by the dentist
• Pours and trims models for diagnostic studies
• Exposes, processes, and mounts radiographs
• Aids in the presentation of post-operative instruction
• Assists in the delivery of local anesthetic
• Translate for the dentist as required
• May be required to work weeknights and weekends
• Performs other duties as assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Two years of Dental Assistant experience or Dental Assistant Program completion Diploma
• Certified by the State of California to take Dental X-Rays
• Current certification in basic life support
• Ability to relate to low-income community residents

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of dental assistant principles and practices
• Knowledge of procedures for taking dental x-rays
• Knowledge of how to sterilize instruments
• Knowledge of preventive oral health concepts
• Skill in assisting dentist in four-handed dentistry
• Knowledge of basic office management techniques
• Knowledge dental equipment and instruments to assist in administering care
• Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions to establish a safe work environment
• Skill in maintaining records and recording examination and x-ray results   
• Skill in developing and maintaining clinic quality assurance
• Skill in establish and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, dental staff and the public
• Ability to maintain quality control standards
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations
• Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures
• Ability to communicate clearly

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work may require sitting for long periods of time; also stooping, bending and stretching for files and supplies.  Occasionally lifting files or paper weighing up to 25 pounds.  Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, type at 25 wpm, operate a calculator, telephone, copier, and such other office equipment as necessary.  Vi­sion must be correctable to 20/40 and hearing must be in the normal range for telephone contacts.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in an office environment within a clinic setting. Involves frequent contact with staff and the public. Work may be stressful at times. Contact may involve dealing with upset people.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, skills, or duties required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Community Medical Centers. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties, and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder’s responsibility.

Community Medical Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is CMC’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of age, national origin, race (including hair texture and hairstyle), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors.