Dental Assistant, On Call, SBHC

Native American Health Center; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 27,552 - 38,572; Part time

Job summary

A community health organization in Oakland seeks an On-Call Dental Assistant to support dentists and ensure a clean and safe environment for patient care. Responsibilities include assisting with dental procedures, maintaining sterilization protocols, and engaging in community outreach events. Ideal candidates should possess a Dental Assistant certification and strong customer service skills. This part-time role requires flexibility and commitment to quality care.

Qualifications

• Must maintain hygiene and cleanliness standards at all times.
• Ability to work in fast-paced dental environments.
• Prior experience in a dental setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentists during patient procedures.
• Maintain an organized and sterile work environment.
• Engage in outreach and dental screenings.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Safety compliance

Education

Dental Assistant certification

Tools

Digital dental radiographic equipment

Job description

Overview

POSITION: On-Call Dental Assistant, SBHC

DEPARTMENT: School-Based Health Center Department (SBHC)

REPORTS TO: Lead General Dentist- SBHC

LOCATION: Native American Health Center, Inc. (NAHC) School-Based Health Center Sites in Oakland/San Leandro

WORK HOURS: On-Call

STATUS: Non-Exempt, Non-Union

Position Summary

The SBHC Department partners with three school districts to provide comprehensive health services at seven SBHCs. The SBHCs reduce health inequities by focusing on prevention and youth empowerment. The Dental Assistant (DA) is a key member of the Native American Health Center’s four-handed dental process, and will increase dentists’ efficiency by providing needed support. The primary responsibility of the DA is to assist dentists at chair-side, and to support departmental staff. The DA must be professional, objective, and have superior customer service standards.

The DA must wear scrub tops and bottoms and personal protective equipment such as protective eyewear, masks and gloves and follow specific company and OSHA procedures when handling hazardous materials. Long hair must be tied back away from the face and no jewelry may be worn. Employees who provide direct clinical care should refrain from having facial, oral and intra-oral piercings. For safety reasons employees must not have hoop earrings larger than 1” in diameter or that dangle longer than 1”. Cleanliness above all is essential. Such employees must refrain from having artificial nails, painted nails and natural nails longer than ¼ inch beyond the tip of the finger. Punctuality and professional demeanor at all times is required.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Perform all duties with excellence and in accordance with the Dental Practice Act of California.
• Provide support to dentists. This includes following all instructions from the assigned dentist at chair-side.
• Greet all members in a courteous, professional, and timely manner.
• Ability to work in the General and Pediatric Dental Clinics.
• Explain plaque control to all members in a manner that ensures their understanding.
• In collaboration with the dentists, provide oral hygiene instructions to members and parents/caregivers.
• Apply topical anesthetic as requested by the assigned dentist.
• Check members; vital signs (i.e., blood pressure, temperature, etc.) as necessary and/or requested by the assigned dentist.
• Prepare operatory for member reception, according to departmental policy. Ensure operatory is as aseptic as possible for member welfare.
• Ensure pre-set trays are well maintained, and always ready to be used for procedures.
• Proactively review chart notes for the planned treatment, in order to set up trays and operatory appropriately.
• Ensure all materials and instruments needed for providing treatment are ready and available for use.
• Prepare anesthesia for transfer to the assigned dentist.
• Retract oral tissues in order to increase visual access into the oral cavity.
• Remove excess moisture from the mouth by using hi-vac systems and/or air.
• Properly transfer instruments to dentists while maintaining extremely high attention to detail and adhering to sterilization standards.
• Prepare and properly deliver any required restorative materials to dentists. Obtain Informed Consent prior to dental treatment, and deliver post-operative instructions with guidance from assigned dentist.
• Assist clinical staff in optimizing member flow. This will include restocking items, seating members, ‘floating’, and supporting other dental team members with member care.
• Keep work area well organized, stocked, and clean at all times. This includes supporting on-site staff with monthly inventory.
• Keep uninvolved people out of the operatories at all times.
• Take impressions for diagnostic and opposing study models.
• Pour impressions with proper stone, package them for transport to dental laboratory, and forward to the receptionist.
• Operate digital dental radiographic equipment for the purpose of oral radiography.
• Proactively inform supervisor of any supplies that need to be replenished, so a consistent level of supplies is maintained at all times.
• Assist the assigned dentist with referrals, prescription phone-ins, and other processes involved in providing high quality dental care.
• DA, as deemed necessary and requested by supervisor.
• Perform Sterilization duties in both the Dental and Pediatric Dental Clinics by performing sterilization and maintenance procedure according to departmental policy.
• Engage in outreach and dental treatment such as school dental screenings and other school/community events.
• Provide translation services, as needed and if applicable, for the department.
• Member Care: Demonstrate understanding and apply working knowledge of safety policies and ensuring safe member practices.
• Employee Safety: Safely performs all duties; follows required protective protocols to ensure personal safety as well the safety of others.
• Must maintain compliance with ergonomic safety standards; be mindful of posture and regularly practice ergonomic stretches.
• Quality Improvement: Actively participate in internal quality improvement teams and work with members proactively to drive quality improvement initiatives in accordance with the mission and strategic goals of the organization, federal and state laws and regulations, and accreditation standards, when assigned.
• HIPAA: Keep all protected health information (PHI) confidential and abide by HIPAA policies for the release and disclosure of any PHI. Will report unauthorized use of disclosure of PHI immediately, to supervisor or HIPAA security officer.
• Work well under pressure, meet multiple and often competing deadlines.
• At all times demonstrate cooperative behavior with supervisors, subordinates, colleagues, clients and the community.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.