The Dental Assistant's primary job function is to work as part of a team to provide high-quality, efficient, and service-oriented patient care while demonstrating the health center's core values. The Dental Assistant is responsible for performing basic supportive chair-side procedures under the direction of the Staff Dentists, maintaining the operatories in a safe and workable condition, properly cleaning all dental instruments, and assisting with providing oral health education to patients and caregivers.
Secondarily, the Dental Assistant is responsible for providing front office support, ensuring that a high level of customer service is provided to health center patients and caretakers. Ensures that the core values of Camino Health Center - Service, Dignity, Excellence, and Justice - are carried out within daily tasks.
Dignity: Demonstrates competence in communication and interpersonal relations Excellence: Demonstrates competence in continuous improvement, continuous learning, and teamwork/collaboration Service: Demonstrates competence in customer/patient focus, adaptability, and shaping change Justice: Demonstrates competence in community orientation, stewardship, and strategic planning and action
Essential Functions:
Direct Patient Care Assist in providing extra-oral and intra-oral duties as directed by the staff dentist Assist in recording patient treatment in the electronic dental record Provide oral hygiene education to patients and caretakers Take high-quality and clinically appropriate digital radiographs
Back Office Duties Set up trays for procedures Properly clean all dental instruments and maintain operatories in a safe and workable condition Notify appropriate team members about supplies needing to be ordered and equipment requiring repairs Sterilize all instruments according to infection control regulations Lubricate and oil hand-pieces before and after sterilization Ensure compliance with infection control procedures as mandated by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Front Office Duties Maintain dental schedule, including making appointments and reminder calls Answer dental phone calls and return voice messages Maintain electronic patient filing system, including establishing new patient records and scanning paper records and x-rays into the electronic dental record Maintain patient records in the practice management system, including updating patient demographic and contact information Check-in responsibilities, including acknowledging appointments and verifying patient information Check-out responsibilities, including insurance verification and cash collection Responsible for assessing and documenting patient eligibility to participate in the health center's sliding fee discount program Work collaboratively with the dental team to ensure optimal workflow and department goals are achieved
Outreach, In-reach, and Education Assist with coordination of external dental screenings, facilitate and maintain a positive rapport with parents, school staff, childcare providers, and community agencies Assist with community dental outreach opportunities, which may include, but are not limited to: • Parent education classes in selected sites • Community Outreach Programs sponsored by other agencies serving the target population • Pre-school dental screenings Conduct in-reach activities to identify new patients using other Camino services who could also benefit from the dental program When possible, coordinate same-day care for these patients Facilitate the collection of surveys and questionnaires required by funders or through community partnerships Participate in continuing education events
Additional Responsibilities Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor
Minimum Position Qualifications: Education: High School diploma or GED required License / Certification: Valid Dental Assistant Certificate, including radiology and infection control certification; valid and current BLS certification Preferred Position Qualifications: Experience / Training: Two years of experience working in a pediatric dental office or community clinic.
Physical and Personal Requirements: Ability to lift up to 35 lbs Must have reliable transportation to report for shifts Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Friday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 2:00 PM-5:00 PM Saturday (2nd Saturday of each month) 8:00 AM-5:00 PM