Dental Assistant

Family Health Services; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Chicago seeks a dedicated Dental Assistant to join their team. The role involves direct patient care, preparation of dental materials, and compliance with safety regulations. Candidates should have a dental assistant certification, CPR training, and preferably be fluent in Spanish. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to a growing health center focused on community care and patient safety.

Qualifications

• Graduated from a dental assistant program or high school with relevant training.
• Must be CPR certified and able to acquire an Ohio Dental Assisting License.
• Ability to speak Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentist in direct patient care and clinical functions.
• Prepare and maintain dental instruments and manage patient health histories.
• Take dental x-rays and apply topical fluoride treatments.

Skills

Patient management

Instrument preparation

Dental procedure isolation techniques

Inventory control

Fluency in Spanish

Education

Graduation from an approved dental assistant course

Current CPR (BLS) certification

X-ray training

Job description

Family Health Services is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides quality, affordable primary care, dental, and behavioral health services. Our “high touch, high tech” clinics offer unique patient focused care to anyone in the community, regardless of their ability to pay. We are rapidly growing in Sandusky, Ohio at our two locations as well as in Norwalk, Ohio and surrounding areas. The Dental Assistant assists the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision, including setting up and cleaning dental unit for timely turnover. The Dental Assistant will also be responsible for providing appropriate oral health information.

Essential Functions
1. Preparation and maintenance of dental instruments, supplies and equipment
2. Collection and recording of patient health histories so the dental records accurately and completely reflect the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided
3. Patient management during dental procedures
4. Instrument transfer
5. Dental procedure isolation techniques
6. Preparation of dental materials, cements, amalgam, composite, impression materials, etc.
7. Dental charting
8. Prevention and management of dental medical emergencies and assistance in the oral health management of all clinic patients.
9. Inventory control and management
10. Taking dental x-rays
11. Applying topical fluoride treatments
12. Taking impressions and bite registrations
13. Assisting in the maintenance of all Oral Health Department areas in compliance with department directives and policies as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control, and safety issues
14. Receiving and placing necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business, and patient care of the Oral Health Department
15. Assisting with various clinical and administrative functions of the center as appropriate and time permits
16. Ensuring the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Oral Health Department directive and center policy as well as state federal regulations(s)
17. Complying in full with the center’s Exposure Control Plan.
18. Traveling when necessary to meet operational needs
19. As directed by a supervisor, performing other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives
20. Bearing responsibility for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing the practice of dental hygiene and the clinical provision of dental hygiene services as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.
21. Assisting the providers in the electronic transfer of data from paper to digital: scanning, data transfer, etc.

Education/Experience
Graduation from an approved dental assistant course; or graduation from high school and one year of on-the-job training as a dental assistant and current CPR (BLS) certification for this position and required x-ray training when needed; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Ability to be clinically fluent in Spanish or another second language is preferred. Applicant must qualify to acquire an Ohio Dental Assisting License within 60 days of hire.

AAP/EEO Statement
FHS is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis [“protected class”] including, but not limited to: race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform service member status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.
In Ohio, the following also are a protected class: race; color; religion; sex; pregnancy, or any illness arising out of and occurring during the course of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions; national origin; disability; age [40 or over], military status and ancestry.