Dental Assistant (DA)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Shape Your Future. Serve Your Community. Build Your Career with Palms!

What Life Working at Palms Looks Like:

Mission and Meaningful Work: PMG is a not for profit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). That means it’s focused on serving underserved populations, offering affordable primary care and preventative services. For many people, that makes the work feel meaningful.

Stability & Growth: PMG has been around for a long time (since 1971) and we are still expanding!

Comprehensive Services & Variety: We offer a wide array of services – family medicine, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health, prenatal care, etc. – So working here gives exposure to different patient populations, conditions and settings. 

Patient-Centered, Community Focus: PMG emphasizes accessible care (same day scheduling, weekend appointments, bilingual staff) and works in communities throughout North Florida. It is also a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH), meaning there’s an emphasis on continuity of care, relationships with patients, etc. 

Culture & Community: Many reviews say that PMG has a “friendly, compassionate, professional” environment. There is pride among the staff in giving back to the community. 

Perks:

Competitive Wages

Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Professional Development Opportunities

Employee Assistance Programs

Company Paid Life Insurance

401k with 5% Match

11 Paid Holidays

20 Days PTO

Recognition and Rewards

Community Impact 

Position Summary

The Dental Assistant (DA) supports the delivery of high-quality dental care by assisting dentists and clinical staff with patient care, office procedures, and laboratory tasks. This role ensures efficient patient flow, maintains accurate records, and upholds infection control standards. Responsibilities include preparing patients and instruments, assisting during procedures, and providing patient education and post-operative instructions. 

Description of Primary Responsibilities

1) Patient Care Support

a) Provide dental services within the scope of practice and in accordance with Palms Medical Group policies, procedures and protocols.

b) Review patient health histories, dental charts and oral histories prior to treatment.

c) Prepare instrument trays and dental materials for procedures.

d) Assist the dentist during routine and emergency procedures.

e) Record dental treatment details in the patient’s dental chart.

f) Communicate postoperative instructions as prescribed by the dentist.

g) Educate patients on oral hygiene and plaque control techniques.

2) Inventory & Infection Control

a) Monitors inventory levels and submit supply requests through appropriate channels.

b) Clean, disinfect and sterilize dental instruments and equipment. 

c) Maintain a clean, organized and professional clinical environment.

3) Administrative Support

a) Record and review patient medical histories accurately.

b) Assist with internal audits, surveys and quality improvement initiatives. 

c) Perform any other duty assigned to support the efficiency and effectiveness of PMG operations.

Description of Primary Attributes

General Development:

1) Must be organized, a self-starter and detail oriented

2) Job duties require the ability to work independently and as part of a team

3) Expected to travel and cover other sites during dental assistant absences

4) Assist in the training and mentoring of coworkers by sharing knowledge, providing guidance, and supporting skill development

Professional & Technical Knowledge:

1) Employee shall be able to read and interpret written dental instructions 

2) Employee will know how to process radiographs

3) Employee will know how to expose dental radiographs

4) Employee will know how to efficiently operate NextGen EDR

5) Employee will be expected to navigate and operate Microsoft Office suite products, including Word, Excel and Teams 

Licenses & Certifications:

1) High School Diploma or Equivalent 

2) Certificate of completion from an accredited Dental Assistant program with Expanded Functions 

3) Current BLS (basic life support) Certification

Physical/Mental/Emotional Demands:

• Standing for long periods of time
• Sitting for long periods of time
• Viewing a computer monitor for long periods of time
• Bending
• Stretching / Reaching
• Walking short distances
• Lifting up to 50 pounds
• Operating office equipment (computer, fax machines, telephones and copy machines)
• Reading forms / Instructions / Patients Charts 
• Communicating well to people of various ages, educational levels, cultural backgrounds in person or by telephone
• Exposure to potentially violent / irate patients
• Health / Safety Consideration of Position
• Exposure to chemical infectious / contagious illness
• Exposure to chemical and inhalation of antibiotics during reconstitution
• Exposure to X-Ray radiation 
• Exposure to a variety of scents and odors
• Must utilize universal precaution in clinical or exposure situations as prescribed by federal state, and local guidelines and /or laws