Dental Assistant

Qualifications:

Under the supervision of the Dentist, the Dental Assistant will provide dental treatment to patients of Marin City Health & Wellness Center (MCHWC).  The Dental Assistant must communicate well, be able to establish rapport with patients and their families, and be sensitive to the needs of the Marin City community and Southern Marin residents.  The Dental Assistant must also be familiar with the goals and objectives of MCHWC generally, and it’s dental program and services specifically, and express genuine enthusiasm and commitment for its success.  The Dental Assistant must be willing to learn new procedures and terminology consistent with current dental techniques and technology and be knowledgeable and sufficiently skilled in all phases of assistance as outlined below.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Be proficient in all phases of 4-handed dental assisting for prosthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, preventative, restorative, and diagnostic procedures.
• Be familiar with dental terminology, medication, and the instruments used during the above procedures.
• Perform expanded duties to the extent the law permits.
• Clean and sterilize instruments after treatment.

• Helping patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatment
• Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health;
  (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing, and nutritional counseling)

• Maintain the dental supply inventory.
• Maintain a clean and orderly operatory and laboratory.

• Uses Motivational interviewing and Caries risk assessment tools
• Presents treatment plans to patients
• Assists patients with referrals and follow-up appointments

• Perform the above duties while maintaining a professional attitude and appearance.
• Maintain current licensure through continuing education courses and meetings.
• Perform other duties, projects, and assignments as directed.
• Be proficient in taking digital radiographs.

• Coordinates lab cases with different labs; assures timely pickup and delivery of cases. Keeps the lab area clean and organized. Tracks cases and communicates scheduling needs to the Dental Coordinator.

• Record examination findings in the appropriate (OpenDental EHR) patient records.
• Maintain and update patient records in the OpenDental/eCW EHR.
• Perform laboratory duties as instructed by the Dentist, to include, but not limited to: pouring models
• Must be able to work with the staff and the management team of the MCHWC.
• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job to ensure appropriate compliance with all privacy-related policies, regulations, and requirements.
• Provide administrative support to the Dentist.
• Attend all required staff meetings and trainings as directed by MCHWC management team.

• Punctuality, regular and reliable attendance
• Performs other duties as directed, developed, or assigned

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Qualification Requirements:

Education and/or Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalency
• Graduation from an accredited Dental Assisting School preferred, or a minimum of two years of recent experience as an RDA preferred
• Valid CA RDA license and RDA certification

• X-ray license
• CPR training current
• CE courses current
• Basic CPR (BCLS) Certification

• Must have a positive attitude, be a team player, and be able to take directions from supervisor
• Understands and promotes the mission, vision, and values of the health center both in the workplace and in the community
• Sensitivity to the needs and situation of a multi-cultural population from a variety of income levels
• Ability to manage multiple tasks
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to effectively and respectfully handle dissatisfied patients
• Experience in a dental office setting/FQHC setting

Language Skill: 

• Must possess excellent organization, writing, and verbal skills
• English proficiency required; Spanish proficiency preferred

Reasoning ability: 

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Equipment/Machinery: Fax machine, copier, computer, telephone, EHR system, sterilization equipment, and other software and instruments as required.

Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Stand and walk or sit alternatively depending on specific needs of day. Estimate 30% of time is spent on feet and 70% sitting at desk and/or chairside.
2. Have occasional need to perform the following physical activities: bend/stoop/squat, climb stairs, push or pull, reach above shoulders.
3. Have occasional need to perform standing and walking activities.
4. Constant need to perform the following physical activities: writing/typing, grasping/turning, finger dexterity.
5. Lifting/carrying over 20 pounds occasionally. Lifting/carrying less than 10 pounds frequently.
6. Vision requirements: constant need to complete forms, read reports, view computer screen.  Frequent need to see small detail.  Frequent need to see things clearly beyond arm's reach.
7. Hearing requirements: constant need to communicate over telephone and in person.

Travel Requirements:  **May be required to travel to and work at other MCHWC locations.

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.