Dental Assistant III

002 Sea Mar Community Health Center; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Sea Mar Community Health Centers in Seattle, WA seeks a skilled Dental Assistant to support dental providers with chairside assistance and to help manage patient flow and treatment rooms. The role requires accurate charting and adherence to sterilization and OSHA guidelines to ensure patient safety and care quality.

The candidate will work with Dentrix and Allscripts PM, perform vital signs as directed, and contribute to a high-standard patient experience in a busy dental clinic.

Qualifications

• Assists with chairside dental procedures using four-handed dentistry as per manual.
• Proficient with dental software to register patients and manage charts.
• Communicates with patients professionally to ensure comfort and understanding.
• Maintains sterilization methods and complies with OSHA regulations across clinic areas.

Responsibilities

• Provide chairside assistance to Dental Providers for procedures across multiple categories.
• Escort and orient patients to treatment rooms and support patient flow.
• Record accurate charting in Dentrix using SOAP/PARTS formats.
• Obtain blood pressure and other vitals as directed by the provider.
• Maintain inventory and sterilization supplies and equipment.

Skills

Chairside assistance

Dental software

Patient communication

Sterilization & OSHA

Tools

Dentrix

Allscripts PM

Job description

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position: Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization.

Position Summary

To assist in the delivery of dental services to Sea Mar Community Health Center patients demonstrating excellent knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patients being served. To use personal judgment, initiative, and leadership to assist in the coordination of clinic activities in regards to training and scheduling of back office staff, patient flow, and oversight of supply inventory and ordering, and equipment maintenance and inventory. Has the responsibility of assisting supervisors and management in providing exceptional customer service.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its clients and aims to achieve industry-leading, client-centered, culturally-aware services. Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent client experience by: Understanding and empathizing with client needs Surpassing client expectations Demonstrating a high level of integrity Exhibiting compassion and commitment Advocating for social justice Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and technology As a Sea Mar employee, the individual in this position commits to adherence to these values to their utmost ability and endeavors to strengthen and embody this mission daily.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Anticipate and provide to Dental Providers all necessary chair side assistance using four-handed dentistry technique (as specified in the Dental Assistant Manual) with procedures in categories as required: Diagnostic, Preventative, Restorative, Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontic, Orthodontics and other services allowed by the Washington Dental Practice Act.

Identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescents, and geriatric patients.

Must be able to escort each patient to and from the treatment rooms; greet, seat, and depart patients, being courteous and professional at all times, especially when talking to patients or discussing confidential information.

Participate in scheduling appointments arriving, and departing patients and reviewing provider schedules in Dentrix and registering patient in Allscripts PM.

Have the ability to complete thorough, accurate charting in Dentrix using S.O.A.P. or P.A.R.T.S. format.

Obtain accurate blood pressure readings and other vital signs as directed by Dental Provider.

Oversee/maintain proper sterilization methods and OSHA regulations in all clinic areas including treatment rooms and sterilization areas.

Perform the responsibilities outlined in the “Task & Duty List” (Dental Department Policy) or outlined by the supervisor or Regional Dental Manager.

Actively participate in the Quality Improvement Activities and the adherence to Joint Commission compliance of the Dental Department and of SeaMar Community Health Centers throughout the year (assigned by the Dental Supervisor, Regional Dental manager or Clinic Manager).

Oversee/maintain proper records for: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), spore tests, inventory and ordering of dental supplies, maintenance of equipment, checking and maintaining of the N20 and O2 cylinders, and updating/maintaining the Emergency Kit Log.

Be able to assist patients, both private pay and with insurance, by providing treatment plans with cost estimates and sequencing of treatment.

Complete insurance pre‑authorizations, verify patient eligibility and benefits.

Responsible for working on specific clinical or administrative duties assigned and approved by the Dental Director or Dental Supervisor\Regional Dental Manager\Clinic Manager.

Duties and responsibilities for this position may vary with changes occurring in the clinic activities or requirements.

The supervisor\ Regional Dental Coordinator may assign temporary work in other departments or other dental sites.

Assist Supervisor\Regional Dental Manager\Clinic Manager in scheduling of dental assistants.

Demonstrate effective leadership skills and set a positive example when assisting the Dental Supervisor, Regional Dental Manager or Clinic Manager in implementing organization and departmental policies, and/or changes in organization and department policies, communicating well, verbally and in writing.

Assist the Dental Supervisor and Regional Dental Manager in coordinating and training new employees, Dental Trainees and other dental assistants.

Provide exceptional customer service by maintaining an efficient patient flow, eliminating “bottlenecks”, reducing wait times and addressing