Dental Assistant (Bilingual Spanish Speaking Preferred)

Dental Assistant

PHMC serves as both a direct service provider to individuals, families, and communities across the region and as an intermediary agent — managing large-scale contracts, government and philanthropic partnerships, and multidisciplinary initiatives that require operational sophistication, strategic leadership, and deep mission alignment.

Summary Job Description: Under the supervision of a dentist, the dental assistant supports the dentist in the provision of high-quality care within the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care for dental assistants.

Responsibilities:

• Prepares and maintains dental instruments, supplies, and equipment.
• Prepares the operatory for the patient visit.
• Seats the patient in a chair and explains the procedures to be performed.
• Collects and records patient health histories.
• Drapes patient with protective linens; sets up instrument tray with required supplies.
• Prepares dental materials, cements, amalgams, composites, impression materials, etc.
• Takes radiographs using conventional or digital technology and follows radiation safety precautions.
• Assists with dental charting.
• Assists in the prevention and management of dental emergencies.
• Manages the patient during dental procedures.
• Provides active chairside assistance; transfers instruments as appropriate for four-handed dentistry.
• Places and contours amalgam and other restorative materials.
• Performs coronal polishing.
• Performs fluoride treatments, including fluoride varnish.
• Takes impressions for study casts, athletic mouth guards, and a custom tray.
• Performs laboratory procedures, including the pouring and trimming of models; polishing dental prosthetics, and making vac-u-press forms.
• At the conclusion of the procedure, follows proper infection control protocols and prepares the operatory for the next patient.
• Helps manage the dental office's infection control plan to meet all regulatory requirements.
• Monitors and documents the flow of laboratory cases; maintains the lab facility.
• Performs, monitors, and records all sterilization activities.
• Maintains proper aseptic techniques necessary with dental equipment; maintains and properly sterilizes instruments.
• Routinely cleans, disinfects, and restocks operatories.
• Helps manage patient flow.
• Maintains the inventory of supplies and reorders as necessary.
• Tracks and verifies invoices.
• Translates dental treatment, after care, and answers questions in English and Spanish from doctor to patient.
• Performs duties within the dental program as assigned.

Skills:

• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines
• Ability to manage the dental office infection control plan to meet regulatory requirements
• Maintains and expands the current level of dental assistant skill and knowledge by periodically attending continuing education programs
• Ability to effectively communicate, translate, read, and write in Spanish is preferred.

Experience:

• Experience as a dental assistant preferred.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.
• Experience in a community health environment serving uninsured or underinsured patients is preferred.

Education:

• High school diploma or GED
• CPR/BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required
• A National DANB Radiation and Safety exam Certificate of Completion is required
• Certification in Dental Assisting is required

PHMC is an EOE and an E-Verify Employer