Job Description

Summary: 

The school-based dental assistant will serve primarily in Grace Health’s school-based dental program, assisting dentist and/or dental hygienist in providing preventive dental care to participating students in multiple school districts. The dental assistant will provide educational and clinical services, as well as perform clerical and maintenance tasks to ensure quality, efficient care.

Coronal Polishing Certificate Required

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communication: Conveys information accurately and efficiently. Written communication is direct, concise, and easy to understand. Ability to speak clear and concisely.
• Decision-making: Gathers necessary information to make good and timely decisions. Uses sound judgment and instincts. 
• Direction: Receives and follows direction thoroughly and efficient.
• Planning/Priority setting: Organizes tasks and objectives in order of importance, timing, and predicted results. Works within measurable goals and outcomes.
• Problem solving: Works systematically to solve problems. Develops reasonable and timely resolutions. 
• Initiative: Takes prompt action to accomplish objectives. Seeks to resolve problems without being asked.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Included but not limited to the following):

School-based Dental Care

• Arrive punctually to designated meeting points
• Travel to school-based clinic locations
• Loading and unloading of portable dental equipment/supplies
• Follow infection control guidelines and manufacturer instructions for proper sterilization, disinfection, and maintenance of all instruments, equipment, and supplies
• Set-up and breakdown of portable dental equipment  
• Safely transport instruments to sterilize at fixed clinic location
• Prepare and maintain treatment area in an organized and clean fashion
• Assure appropriate instruments and supplies are available for patient care
• Take radiographs and intraoral photos as directed by dentist
• Communicate kindly and respectfully with students, staff, and parents/guardians
• Maintain professional interactions and relationships with school administration and staff
• Provide oral health education to students, staff, and parents/guardians
• Assist dentist/dental hygienist provide preventive dental care to participating students in a compassionate manner
• Assists dentist/dental hygienist in filling out charts accurately and processing patient forms/records either manually or utilizing EDR
• Coordinate recommended follow-up treatment
• Monitor schedule to maintain efficient patient flow
• Track supply inventory for ordering purposes
• If qualified, perform the following expanded duties (under direct supervision of dentist): coronal polishing, sealant placement, & fluoride application
• Cover in fixed clinic sites as needed

• Key Functions of Dental Assistant

• Monitors patient flow and assists with administrative functions as appropriate, which often require the use of a computer. 
• Receives telephone calls with dental questions, answers patient questions, and gives directions to patients as authorized by the dental hygienist or dentist. 
• Assists with Language Live.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks to completion.
• Serves as chair-side assistant for dental hygienist or dentist during a variety of treatment procedures.  
• Completes initial dental hygiene exam including recording medical history and vital signs.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated under the direction of the dental hygienist or dentist in accordance with state regulation, law, and dental clinic protocol. 
• Patient teaching of appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health such as brushing, flossing, and nutritional counseling.
• Participates in Grace Health Outreach health promotion/disease prevention activities, both on-site and off-site as required.
• Supports and assists special community oriented dental care programs.
• Preparation and maintenance of dental equipment, instruments, and supplies including sharpening and sterilization.
• Maintain adequate inventory of supplies for ordering purposes.
• Maintains all dental department areas in compliance with dental department protocols relative to infection control, exposure control, and safety issues. 
• Follows CDC and OSHA guidelines for safety and infection control, including the use of Personal Protective Equipment and Universal Precautions.
• Follows proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Maintain patient records.
• Assists with facilitating dental diagnosis and treatment recommendations as advised by dental hygienist or dentist.
• Performs and develops dental x-rays according to state regulations and law, as well as dental clinic directive and protocol.
• Make dental impressions of teeth if applicable.
• Plans care by reviewing schedules and charts to pro-actively prepare for patient encounters.
• Ability to operate an electronic dental records software system.  Preferable Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, text paging, Internet, and Intranet.
• Knowledgeable of clinical quality measures and preventive health maintenance recommendations. 
• Performs oral health interventions in a professional, competent manner.  Maintains competency in skills and stays current with professional practice guidelines.
• Maintains strong knowledge base in oral health disease process and skill set.
• Understands population health and works collaboratively with the health care team to promote health and wellness.
• Travel to other clinic sites to meet operational needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Recognized expanded duties listed below:

• Placing quality amalgam, composite, and preventive resin restorations
• Placing and removing temporary fillings, crowns, and cements
• Placing and removing dental dam, as directed by dentist
• Using appropriate isolation system to ensure quality care
• Fabricating custom trays, impression trays, bleaching trays, and athletic mouth guards
• Cleaning and polishing removable appliances and prostheses
• Applying topical fluoride and pit and fissure sealants
• Fabricating and cementing temporary crowns/bridges
• Fabricating single-tooth flippers
• Removing excess cement from permanent crowns/bridges
• Removing sutures and other post-surgical dressing
• Coronal polishing
• Taking impressions and fabricating diagnostic casts
• Management of lab cases
• Performing other expanded duties as assigned by dentist

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: 

• High School Diploma or GED Certificate
• Completion of accredited course in dental assisting preferred
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Participates in continued education

BENEFITS:

• Safe harbor 401(k) with match potential
• Paid time off
• Family friendly work environment
• Health insurance
  • Wellness program
  • Health savings account
  • Pharmacy benefit
  • Employee visits for medical services
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• STD/LTD
• EAP & Work life services
• Voluntary benefits
• Hospital indemnity

Grace Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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