Dental Assistant

Summary:
La Maestra Community Health Centers is currently recruiting for Dental Assistants. The Dental Assistant is responsible for performing chair side support services, procedures, and general office procedures under the supervision of a dentist.

Locations: San Diego and El Cajon City

Responsibilities:

• Assist the DDS/DMD with patient care by providing and explaining the DDS/DMD instructions
• Clean room after finishing with procedures
• Route patient back to the front desk with post-examination/procedure instructions (i.e. to check out, schedule next appointment, etc.)
• Clean all instruments after procedures
• Prepares and maintains all dental instruments, supplies, and equipment
• Call next patient immediately after setting up the exam room
• Maintain inventory and order supplies list
• Assure proper operation and maintenance of equipment by performing inspections
• Be able to perform Spore test weekly, clean autoclave weekly (following proper procedures)
• Take X-rays (proper certification required)
• Take oral impressions for diagnostic and opposing models
• Remove post-extraction and periodontal dressings
• Prepare dental materials, including but not limited to, cements, amalgam, composite, impression materials, etc.
• Apply non-aerosol and non-caustic topical agents
• Apply topical fluoride, after scaling and polishing by the supervising DDS/DMD or RDA
• Place and remove rubber dams or other isolation devices
• Place, wedge, and remove matrices for restorative procedures
• Responsible for dental charting
• Delivers patient personal care oral instructions
• When needed, delivers community dental health presentations
• Plans, assembles, and manages health fair booths
• Performs extra oral duties or functions specified by the supervising DDS/DMD.
• Maintain effective communication and working relationships with other employees and patients

Job Requirements

Education: High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent

Certification: Dental Assistant Certificate, Current valid CPR certification.

Experience: 1-2 years’ experience in a dental office or similar setting as a front or back office Dental Assistant preferred

Verbal and Written Skills to perform the job: Bilingual preferred. Familiarity with basic word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. Accurate keyboarding skills.

Technical knowledge and skills required to perform the job: Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills and the demonstrated ability to work with diverse individuals and groups. Demonstrate high levels of self-initiation and direction. Knowledge of communities we serve. Knowledge and experience working in medical settings and interacting collaboratively with medical teams. Skill in analyzing situations and making timely decisions.

Physical and Mental Requirements: Work involves sitting, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

La Maestra Community Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or any other protected class, political affiliation or belief.