Dental Assistant

East Central District Health Department/Good Neighbor Community Health Center; Columbus (NE); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

East Central District Health Department/Good Neighbor Community Health Center is seeking a Dental Assistant to support the clinical team and handle essential administrative tasks. You will assist dentists and hygienists in four-handed dentistry, take impressions and radiographs, and help manage patient records and treatment plans.

The role requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with preferred completion of an accredited dental assisting program.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Graduation from an accredited dental assisting program preferred.
• BLS certification or ability to earn within three months.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to organize tasks, set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Ability to work well with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Bi-Lingual Spanish-speaking preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides support and relief to other dental team members as directed by Dentist or Hygienist.
• Documents charts as requested by Dentist or Hygienist.
• Handle administrative tasks: pre-authorizations and treatment plans; various clerical duties.
• Assist in four-handed dentistry and related procedures such as impressions and X-rays.
• Maintain clinic flow by sterilizing, room turnover, stocking, and cleanup.
• Explain procedures, treatment plans, costs, and post-op care to patients.
• Assist doctor in four-handed dentistry and other duties as assigned.

Skills

BLS certification

Communication skills

Task organization

MS Office proficiency

Diverse background adaptability

Bi-Lingual Spanish

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Dental assisting program completion (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Position Summary

Performs chair side assistance in all operative and dental treatment procedures. Perform office and clerical procedures relative to patient records, appointments, and fees. Prepare dental instruments and materials necessary for the treatment of patients. Assist, perform and demonstrate dental services such as four-handed dentistry, taking and processing impressions, taking radiographs, placement of rubber dams, patient management and other dental techniques.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides support and relief to other dental team members of clinical work and minor administrative and business details as directed by Dentist or Hygienist.
• Documents charts per request of Dentist or Hygienist.
• Perform copying, filing, updating pre-authorizations and treatment plans and other projects related to administrative support.
• Perform duties to allow more efficiency to dentist such as: taking impressions, taking X-rays, coronal polishing, 4-handed dentistry, etc.
  • To perform coronal polishing requires completion of an approved course criteria for coronal polishing. To obtain approval as a coronal polishing course the course must be:
    • Part of an accredited dental assisting training program or offered at a program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation
    • Led by an instructor of the course who is qualified by education and experience
    • Held for a minimum of 14 contact hours of coronal polishing instruction to include 10 hours of didactic instruction and 4 hours of clinical participation.
  • To take X-rays requires completion of an approved course criteria for dental x-ray. To obtain approval as a dental x-ray course the course must be:
    • Part of an accredited dental assisting training program or offered at a program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation
    • Led by an instructor of the course who is qualified by education and experience
    • Held for no less than 16 hours of classroom instruction on dental x-rays
• Maintaining clinic flow by sterilizing, room turn around, stocking cleaning, and putting material away.
• Provides information to callers regarding patient care as directed by Dentist or Hygienist.
• Explain procedures, treatment plans, costs, and post‑op care appointments and total hygiene instructions.
• Able to assist doctor in 4-handed dentistry.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Graduate from an accredited dental assisting program is preferred.

Required Skills

• BLS certification or ability to earn certification within three months.
• Ability to communicate effectively and articulate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to organize tasks, establish priorities and meet established deadlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Ability to work well with individuals of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

Preferred Skills

• Bi‑Lingual Spanish‑Speaking

Physical Requirements

May require sitting for a long period of time. Some bending, lifting, stooping and stretching required. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight. Requires eye‑hand coordination and manual dexterity to operate office equipment such as computer keyboard, photocopier, telephone and calculator. Some lifting may be involved, up to 35 pounds.

Limitations Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job‑related requirements and to perform other job‑related duties requested by East Central District Health Department/Good Neighbor Community Health Center in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at‑will” basis.

FTCA liability protection for medical malpractice is afforded to covered individuals by virtue of their working relationship with GNCHC, a FTCA covered entity when they are performing covered activities