Dental Assistant

Lake County, IL; Round Lake (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center seeks a Dental Assistant to support dentists, hygienists, and the dental director in patient care. Duties include chair-side assistance, instrument prep, radiography, and patient comfort.

You will maintain patient records, assist with infection control, and contribute to a welcoming front-office presence, including translation if bilingual.

Qualifications

• Requires a High School diploma or GED certificate.
• Successful completion of an accredited Dental Assisting program (Preferred).
• Preferred CDA or at least 1-year experience in a general practice.
• Must have Coronal Polishing and Dental Sealant Certifications or take and pass within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Assist chair-side by organizing and preparing instruments for procedures.
• Take digital x-rays and intra oral pictures (if applicable).
• Prepare and maintain dental instruments, materials, and equipment.
• Record patient health histories and input data for dentist reference.
• Advise patients on oral hygiene and dental care.
• Maintain sterilization logs and input data into SharePoint.
• Provide translation if bilingual.
• Meet and greet patients and escort them to the dental exam room.

Skills

Patient care

Communication

Infection control

Bilingual translation (optional)

Education

High School diploma or GED

Accredited Dental Assisting program

Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or 1-year experience

Job description

The Dental Assistant in this position shall perform those duties as assigned to assist by the Dental Director, Dentists, and Hygienists in the care and treatment of patients. The Dental Assistant performs chair-side assisting, inventory and dental records duties as well as administrative functions, assists the dental hygienist when needed and works under the general direction of the dental hygienist or dentist as the site. This position may be assigned duties and task by the Lead DA.

Scheduled Hours: 37.5 hours per week

• Prepares and maintains dental instruments, materials, and equipment.
• Collects and record patient health histories (dental and medical) and record information for dentist’s reference prior to examination.
• Helps patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
• Takes digital x-rays and (intra oral pictures, if applicable)
• Assists dentist chair-side by organizing and preparing instruments for dentist’s use and assisting as needed during procedures.
• Advises patients in oral hygiene and dental care.
• Follows through with post-visit duties.
• Provides basic information related to basic dental disease
• Interacts positively with a diverse, sometimes difficult, and demanding patient population.
• Provides service in a manner that is appropriate for the patient’s age; demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to meet the patient’s physical, psychosocial, educational and safety needs
• Demonstrates commitment to the mission of the organization in promoting dental health.
• Reads, writes, and maintains patient records and related administrative documentation.
• Utilizes the requisite tools, systems, technology, and equipment in the collection of patient data, records management, and collections.
• Demonstrates knowledge of dentistry procedures, clinic infection control and patient safety measures.
• Demonstrates the ability to keeping the working area neat and safe
• Performs basic maintenance of dental equipment to include autoclave, dental chair, and equipment in the sterilization room as well as the water filtration system.
• Meets and greets patient in the front area and escorts them to the dental exam room.
• Provides translation, if they are bilingual.
• Maintains sterilization logs and ensure accurate input of data into sterilization logs in the SharePoint database.

• Requires a High School diploma or GED certificate.
• Successful completion of an accredited Dental Assisting program (Preferred)
• Preferred Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or at least 1-year experience in a general practice
• Must have Coronal Polishing and Dental Sealant Certifications or take and pass this requirement within 6 months of hire.

As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years. We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community.

Additional information about the Lake County Health Department, our culture, and why you should join our team can be found at https://lakecountyil.attract.neogov.com/health-department.

At this time, you must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department. You can find our salary grades at https://www.lakecountyil.gov/4515/Salary-Grades. For unionized positions, a list of our collective bargaining agreements can be found here: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/2686/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements. This position is represented by AFSCME Council 31.

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.