Dental Assistant - Humankind Location

Job Title: Dental Assistant

Reports to: Dental Operations Manager

Department: Dental

FLSA Class: Non-Exempt - FT

Updated: July 2024

Summary: The Dental Assistant is responsible for assisting the dentist(s) and dental hygienist(s) in the direct provision of primary care dental services to patients of Hunter Health Clinic (HHC). The Dental Assistant supports the Dental Director, Dentists, Dental Hygienists, and other members of the department and provides quality dental care to all Hunter Health Clinic patients while maintaining compliance with all federal grants, OSHA, Dental Board, and Hunter Health Clinic policies and procedures.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist the Dentists and Dental Hygienists in patient care for scheduled appointments, as well as triage emergency patients and walk-ins.

• Educates patients on upcoming procedures and hygiene practices, answers their questions, and gives directions to patients as authorized by the dentist or dental hygienist.

• Prepares patient registration forms and their accuracy, as well as operatories for patient treatment as per Dental Department protocols and the dentist’s or dental hygienist's directions.

• Exposes and develops dental radiographs following state regulations and law as well as Dental Department directives and protocol.

• Assists with maintaining Dental Department equipment, supplies, and patient records while complying with HHC policies and procedures to maintain our standard of care for dental patients.

• Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business, and patient care of the Dental Department.

• Ensures proper sterility of instruments and proper disposal of contaminated materials.

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

• Travels when necessary to meet operational needs.

• Distributes clinic literature and provides complete and thorough explanations of all HHC policies about patient rights, Indian verification, income verification, minimal fees, sliding scale fees, prescription fees, fees for services, and other information to the patient.

• Assist with dental billing and data compilation as it relates to the dental program, including referring 0 percent patients to the Eligibility Coordinator for screening for Medicaid.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Certified Dental Assistant and/or completion of an accredited course in dental assisting preferred.
• Minimal high school diploma or GED.
• Preferred 1 to 3 years of experience as an assistant.
• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish).

Skills:

• Listens, identifies, and responds quickly and effectively to internal and external needs.
• Communicates effectively with all patients.
• Displays organizational skills, the ability to multi-task, and uses time and resources effectively.
• Displays good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Effectively collaborates and seeks clarification and confirms accuracy as needed.
• Utilizes teamwork to achieve desired results and contributes to projects while developing positive working relationships.
• Pursues goals with commitment and shows initiative.
• Demonstrates accuracy, thoroughness, and reliability; manages time and priorities; develops and follows work procedures.
• Evaluates own performance and accepts constructive feedback to continue learning.

Physical and Mental Demands of the Job:

All employees, including those who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job function listed below, either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation. The functions listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. These essential functions document does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

• Talking: The ability to speak effectively
• Average Hearing: The ability to hear average conversations and respond accordingly.
• Repetitive Motion: The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is required to stand; walk; reach with hands.
• Finger Dexterity: Using primarily just the fingers to make small movements such as typing, picking up objects and pinching fingers together
• Average Visual Abilities: Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Working Conditions: Works in a well-lit, climate-controlled environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually high. Potential exposure to infectious disease is possible.
• Physical Strength: The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
• Mathematical Ability: Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job.  This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with this job. Hunter Health Clinic Inc. reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs.