Dental Assistant

Heartland Community Health Center; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Heartland Health Center is seeking a Dental Assistant to deliver comprehensive oral hygiene services and education to patients. The role reports to the Lead Dental Assistant and operates under general supervision of a staff dentist when LDA is not present.

The position supports four-handed dentistry, charting, instrument preparation, and adherence to OSHA and infection control protocols. Strong communication and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• CPR certification required; BLS preferred.
• Spanish bilingual preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Perform x-rays as needed.
• Obtain vital signs (blood pressure).
• Monitor blood glucose where indicated.
• Set up instruments for procedures and examinations.
• Complete forms for procedures and ensure documentation is accurate.
• Assist dentists and hygienists with four-handed chairside care.
• Record findings and treatment plans in the patient chart.
• Maintain infection control and sterilize instruments.
• Educate patients on oral health techniques.
• Keep the provider on schedule and maintain a clean work area.

Skills

HIPAA privacy

Team player

Patient education

Multitasking

Customer service

Communication

Diverse patient care

Oral health knowledge

Time management

Professionalism

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CPR certification

BLS certification

Tools

EMR systems

Microsoft Office

Dental instruments sterilization

Job description

To deliver a full range of oral hygiene services and education to Heartland Health Center patient panel. Dental Assistant reports directly to Lead Dental Assistant. In compliance with Kansas Dental Board, under direct supervision of staff dentist when LDA is not present.

Duties and responsibilities

• perform needed x-rays
• obtain vital signs (i.e. electric and manual blood pressure)
• perform needed blood glucose monitoring
• set up instruments for procedures/examinations
• assure all forms are completed for procedures
• review health history and transfer information to the clinical note completely and accurately
• Assist dentists and/or dental hygienists in daily clinical and operational activities including but not limited to:
  • use four-handed practices at chair side
  • provide proper instruments during procedure to the dentist
  • make chart entries under the direction of the dentist or dental hygienist
  • record all findings and treatment plans completely and accurately in the patient's chart
  • actively participate in keeping the provider on schedule
• Prepare patients for procedures and ensure that appropriate instructions and equipment are arranged and ready
• Maintain a clean oral working area prior to, during and post exams/procedures
• Promote an atmosphere of good dental and general health by demonstrating good personal oral hygiene
• Educate patients on techniques of flossing, brushing, overall oral health, and the role of the dental care team
• Clean and sterilize instruments appropriately
• Follows infection control protocols and standard operating procedures
• Complete required daily, monthly, and annual equipment maintenance
• Wears appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Lab duties include pour and trim models and fabricating trays
• Remove the biohazard trash as needed
• Answer patient inquiries related to pain and/or medications
• Perform all duties in accordance with OSHA regulations
• Is attentive to patient and provider needs including dentist and dental hygienist
• Attend meetings as required (Joint Staff, Department, etc.)
• Completes assigned trainings in timely manner
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills Required:

• Knowledge of HIPAA privacy rules and regulations
• Enthusiasm for working as a member of a team in a rapidly changing environment
• Willingness to educate patients and the community in oral healthcare and the role of the dental care team
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize them to provide appropriate, efficient, and quality patient care
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to interact with unsatisfied patients and coworkers effectively and respectfully
• Ability to work well with children, elderly, and special needs patients
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to anticipate and react calmly in emergency situations
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, coworkers, and the public
• Ability to evaluate statistics and data and make appropriate recommendations
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to accurately document procedures in electronic record
• Must be able to document in a neat, legible manner and be able to spell dental terminology correctly and use proficient grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Ability to follow written policies and procedures
• Effective and efficient time management
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and use good judgment
• Able to communicate with others to effectively convey information
• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Knowledge of standard office machines including copier, fax, multi-line phones, printers, scanners, etc.
• BLS Certification

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required
• Any combination of education and work experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying
• Spanish Bilingual preferred, but not required
• Must have and maintain CPR certification
• Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse participant and employee base
• High energy, positive, ability to work autonomously, flexibility, teamwork, attention to detail, and high degree of initiative
• Agrees to uphold Heartland's guiding values of Compassion, Respect, Collaboration, and Integrity
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the job
• Performs assigned clinic housekeeping
• Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse participant- and employee-base
• Disinfects operatories and patient seating between patients
• Always observes universal precautions
• Arrives to work on time
• Attire is clean and neat.
• Maintains good personal hygiene
• Driving and maintaining company vehicle

Working conditions

• Sits and walks throughout the day
• May be exposed to infection and contagious diseases, and unpleasant patient or unit elements
• Handles emergency or crisis situations
• Subject to many interruptions
• Must be able to function in a high stress environment
• Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people
• Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions and outdoors
• Requires the ability to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous people and other conflict situations

Physical requirements

• Requires repeating the same physical activities or mental activities over and over
• Requires walking and standing
• Requires using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls
• Requires bending or twisting
• Requires lifting equipment less than 100 lbs. (loading and unloading equipment)

Details

• Hours M - F from 7:30 am - 7 pm as needed. (approx. 40 hours per week)

Hours are approximate and may be altered by supervisor(s) as needed.