Dental Assistant

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THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

The Population and Community Health Bureau (PCHB) is within the Public Health Division with the New Mexico Department of Health. The mission of the PCHB is to partner with populations, communities, organizations, and systems to create health equity where New Mexicans live, learn, work and play. The PCHB values are centered on positive relationships, accountability, respect and excellence. The Office of Oral Health is one of ten programs within the PCHB.

Why does the job exist?

Chapter 24 of the New Mexico Health and Safety Code mandates that the Department of Health operate a dental health program. The Office of Oral Health¿s (OOH) mission is to reduce the incidence of oral disease among children and adults. The OOH program consists of conducting clinical oral health prevention programs, a clinical mobile school-based prevention program, provides funds to contractors to increase access to oral health services to low income and uninsured children and adults, promoting oral health throughout the state, promoting Community Water Fluoridation, and serving as a clearing house for oral health issues. The overall goal of the program is to reduce the incidence of tooth decay and promote the importance of oral health and overall health thereby improving the oral health status of pre-school and school aged children especially those children residing in rural and frontier New Mexico.

How does it get done?

The dental assistant position supports the school-based prevention program. The primary duty of the dental assistant is to assist the Registered Dental Hygienist in evaluating the children¿s teeth, applying dental sealants or fluoride varnish, heath records management and recording metrics. The dental assistant prepares materials for the application of dental sealants and fluoride varnish in collaboration with the dental hygienist. Other duties include scheduling and confirming event appointments, receives and maintains records, orders dental and office materials/supplies. The dental assistant is responsible for maintaining the dental supplies in collaboration with the Registered Dental Hygienist (following OSHA infection control guidelines).

Who are the customers?

The school-based programs serve low income and uninsured children. Populations served are from urban and rural schools in New Mexico.

Ideal Candidate

• Bilingual (English and Spanish)
• Experience reporting metrics (data surveillance)
• Current CPR and OSHA certification.
• Experience with providing oral health education to individuals and groups of people

High School Diploma or equivalent and a Certificate in Dental Assisting or Associate’s Degree in Applied Science of Dental Health. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling two (2) years may substitute for the required education.

Employment Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent and a Certificate in Dental Assisting or Associate’s Degree in Applied Science of Dental Health and two (2) years of experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of the classification.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
• Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certification from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.

Working Conditions

Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (bending, stooping and reaching). Operation of a cargo van or similar vehicle. In-state travel; long distances by state vehicle. Work in a school setting with various ages of youth and in an office setting with exposure to visual/video display terminal (VTD) and extensive phone usage.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.