Dental Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of Dental Director, Dental Assistant will be responsible for providing both clinical and administrative support in a clinical unit(s) and/or affiliated practices, working alongside dentists, dental hygienists, and dental technicians.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:       

• Organizes and prepares trays, set up and lays out instruments for dental procedures.
• Preps patients and handles instruments and other materials to be used during dental procedures.
• Obtains vital signs and monitors patients for complications.
• Questions patients about their medical history and recording the information for  

dentist’s reference.

• Obtains patients’ dental history and records.
• Ensures health history is updated and scanned in to eCW system.
• Exposes and processes digital radiography or traditional x-rays.
• Practices radiation safety at all times when using dental radiographs operators.
• Takes impressions of patients’ teeth for casts.
• Uses suction and swabs to keep patients’ mouths clear and dry during procedures.
• Applies topical anesthetic to patients’ mouths.
• Removes stitches.
• Makes temporary crowns.
• Advising patients on dental care.
• Making patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
• Cleans up following procedure, disposes of all waste in an appropriate fashion, and disinfects area after each patient and sets up for next patient in accordance with established procedures.
• Sterilizes dental instruments and equipments
• Maintains an inventory of dental instruments, equipment, and supplies in the dental operatory.
• Organizes supplies and equipment to minimize loss and maximize utilization.
• Reports equipment malfunctions to direct supervisor and follows up with repair technicians as needed.
• Schedules appointments, maintains records, sends bills, answers phones, and other office duties.
• Performs regular audits to ensure that no expired materials exist in the patient care areas.
• Ensure compliance with policies and procedures and regulatory agencies rules and regulations.
• Provides patient education and treatment planning information as directed.
• Assesses emergency situations and provides necessary and proper response when appropriate in accordance with emergency protocols.
• Promotes positive working relationships with community agencies and with other departments.
• Establish and maintain courteous, cooperative relationships with staff, volunteers and the public, portraying the mission of T.H.E.
• Promotes delivery of quality patient care.
• And all other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills and Experiences

• Provide strong customer service to staff and community.
• Proven organizational and problem solving skills.
• Able to track details and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
• Basic understanding of financial/budgeting process.
• Ability to handle and track details and verify accuracy.
• Completes work on time with quality results and can manage multiple interruptions.

Education and Qualifications:

• Must hold a current Dental Assistant certificate.
• High school diploma or GED (preferred 2 years of college).
• Current CPR Certification
• Have Radiation ( Xray) Certificate
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.
• A valid California Driver's license, and access to insured automobile.
• Flexible, mature individual who is capable of decision making and problem solving.
• Ability to work with all levels of management.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively.
• Advanced computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet, email, etc. Experience using electronic health records preferred.
• Ability to work with people of diverse cultural, educational, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Fluency in Spanish highly desirable.