Community Dental Assistant I

Who We Are:

Neighborhood Health Center is a non-profit organization local to Portland, OR serving underserved patients in the areas of primary care, internal medicine, dental services and more. Our patient-centered approach to care honors the unique needs and circumstances of each individual patient. NHC sees people, not problems, and recognizes that the time spent as a patient in a doctors office is only one factor in a persons overall health. Our leading edge, integrated clinical teams work in partnership with patients, their families, and the communities we serve to provide whole-person care, prevention, and ongoing support.

NHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate differences in the workplace and do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (sex), national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why work with us?

• We are a non-profit organization, passionate about providing the underserved population with medical and dental services across the greater Portland area, committed to making a difference daily.
• We offer our employees a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes 20 days of PTO (based on full time employment), 9 paid holidays, health/dental/vision insurance, quarterly wellness reimbursements, generous 401k retirement plan with employer match, employer paid disability insurance, EAP and life insurance.
• Our employees voted NHC a Top Workplace in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024!

Job Title:  Community Dental Assistant I
Department:  Dental
Reports To:  Community Dental Program Manager
Work Type:  On-Site
Classification:  Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Language Differential:  Eligible

Summary

This position is responsible for providing patient-centered care which ensures that patients, students, and their families feel comfortable and understand their dental needs. This position as Dental Assistant is primarily responsible for assisting the Community Dental Hygienist and Community Dental Expanded Function Dental Assistant with the delivery of patient care in school and community-based settings using portable dental equipment and will provide services across all community dental programs; and secondarily will receive the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in clinical settings, with optional training available to support growth toward a dental assistant role. This role will also intermittently support education services and will use evidence-based and age-appropriate education tools to promote oral health and sealant services.

Essential Job Duties

• Assists the dental hygienist and dental assistant in setting up and tearing down portable dental equipment and supplies at designated locations/schools on days and times scheduled.
• Sets up and ensures that instruments, supplies, and equipment are immediately available for patient care.
• Drives company cargo van with portable equipment to and from dental events.
• Provides direct assistance to the dental hygienist and dental assistant in oral screenings and dental sealant application procedures by performing 4-handed dentistry, including passing instruments for procedures.
• Assists in recording findings using a paper form or electronic application as determined by NHC.
• Assists in sorting paperwork, accompanying students to and from their classrooms, and seating patients.
• Maintains proper infection control practices at all times, including the following areas: PPE, hand hygiene, handling and disposal of sharps and biohazard waste, instrument sterilization and dental chair and equipment disinfection. 
• Maintains punctual, regular, and predictable attendance. 
• Assists at in-class education events in all school districts served by NHC’s sealant program.
• Helps set up and operate a hands-on oral health learning lab for school-based sealant program.
• Educates students about the importance of preventative oral health care and help increase their oral health literacy.
• Promotes sealant and School Based Health Center services at school events.
• Enhance cultural responsiveness.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• If working in clinics when Community Dental activities are not scheduled, this position may receive training to assist with the following clinical tasks:
  • Provide direct clinical assistance to dentists and dental hygienists by performing 4-handed dentistry, including passing instruments for operative and oral surgery procedures and mixing filling and medicinal materials.
  • Communicates with Dentist of their daily schedule and patient information; communicate with dental team about schedule changes and informs providers of changes.
  • Communicates expected wait times to patients, Dentists, and dental receptionist.
  • Seats and positions patient in the operatory.
  • Serves as anesthesia monitor for patients receiving care under nitrous oxide sedation.
  • Effectively cleans and/or sterilizes instruments and treatment rooms according to company policies and procedures and in accordance with State and Federal regulations for infection control.
  • Charts findings and treatment plans under the Dentist’s or Dental Hygienist’s direction.
  • Performs all duties necessary to support teledentistry.
  • Performs receptionist functions on an as needed basis.

Education and/or Experience

• High School Diploma, or equivalent, is required
• Completion of Dental Assistant training is preferred, or it can be obtained on the job
• At least one year’s experience in a health setting is preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be qualifying

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations

• Current BLS for Healthcare Providers/CPR certification is required
• Active and unencumbered driver’s license is required
• Evidence of personal vehicle insurance is required

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Behaviors

• Ability to communicate professionally both orally and in writing with a service-oriented approach, sometimes in stressful circumstances.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA policies.
• Basic knowledge of dental terminology preferred.
• Spanish and English bilingual preferred.
• Ability to serve individuals with limited English proficiency, low literacy, and limited experience with insurance.
• Ability to communicate well via phone, email, and face-to-face with professionals, and students and their families.
• Ability to work independently, effectively and professionally.
• Ability to comprehend and manage documentation in multiple databases.
• Proficient knowledge of MS Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and electronic tablets.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, peers, patients and the general public.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

WORKING CONDITIONS
This position is full-time, and hours will vary from week to week, with a maximum of 40 hours per week.

Occasional evening availability for special or school events may be required. This position will require travel between locations and may require attendance to additional trainings.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to toxic chemicals or blood borne pathogens. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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.

The employee must frequently:

• Lift, move, push or pull objects/equipment/supplies weighing approximately 20-25 pounds up to 40-50 pounds.
• Use full range of body motion; walk, stand, move, stoop, reach with hands and arms and bend.
• Sit for extended periods of time.
• Use sufficient manual dexterity in order to safely perform various skills and techniques or manipulate equipment.
• See minor details from a distance, and differentiate between colors, shades, brightness textures and depth.
• Hear and understand language as well as communicate language with several parties.

Neighborhood Health Center Employment Offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks, background checks, drug screening for illegal substances, Tuberculosis, and any position specific credentialing or licensure requirements.