Dental Advocate

Dental Advocate

Provides specialized dental support and advocacy for adults with serious and persistent mental illness, including conserved individuals with complex behavioral and medical needs. Uses professional dental hygiene knowledge (non-clinical/ non-hygiene-practicing role) to assess dental needs, educate clients, coordinate care, and ensure access to appropriate dental services. Supports clients and clinical teams by improving communication, enhancing oral-health understanding, navigating Denti-Cal systems, and promoting overall wellness through oral-health interventions.

Responsibilities and duties:

• Conducts dental screenings and identifies oral-health concerns using RDH training in a non-clinical capacity.
• Provides hands-on oral-hygiene instruction, including demonstrations and selection of appropriate oral-hygiene products.
• Educates clients on oral health.
• Supports clients in understanding their dental needs and recommended treatment.
• Coordinates scheduling for dental appointments and monitors the need for follow-up care.
• Tracks upcoming and past appointments; helps clients remain engaged and prepared.
• Develops working knowledge of Denti-Cal benefits, coverage, and available services.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with Denti-Cal Provider Relations, partnering dental offices, and conservators involved in client care.
• Serves as a liaison between clients and dentists, answering questions, clarifying terminology, and ensuring clients understand their treatment options.
• Helps clients navigate dental care systems and empowers them to make informed choices.
• Collaborates with residential staff, clinical staff, and program teams to support dental-related needs and follow-through.
• Reviews treatment authorization approvals and monitors progress to support timely next steps.
• Documents all services provided, maintaining accurate and professional written notes.
• Demonstrates strong communication, and problem-solving skills when working with clients and providers.
• Uses critical thinking skills to support emergency dental intervention needs and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Independently manages workflow, shifting priorities as needed in a dynamic environment.
• Participates in team communication, outreach, and case discussions as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Demonstrates tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment; remains calm and effective in emergency situations; and works well with individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, languages, value systems, and abilities. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Language Ability: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Math Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage and to draw and interpret bar graphs using Microsoft Excel.
• Reasoning Ability: Demonstrates sound judgement in following written, verbal or visual instructions and effectively resolves issues involving multiple variables in both routine and emergency situation.
• Computer Skills: Knowledge of Microsoft Word; Microsoft Excel; electronic medical records software, inventory and database software.

Education and Experience:

Registered Dental Hygienist preferred

5-10 years of clinical experience preferred

Experience working with mental health clients highly desired.

Must be 18 years of age or older.

Certificates and Licenses:

Certified First aid and CPR training from an accredited institution.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Special Requirements:

Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance as required by Title XXII, licensing regulations including FBI and DOJ clearance. A health screening, by or under the direction of a physician, must have been performed not more than one year prior to employment or within seven (7) days after employment. Health screening must include TB clearance not more than one year prior to employment or within seven (7) days after employment. Must have a "valid" standard first aid card from an accredited institution. Must be physically able to assist clients and/or staff in the evacuation of program facility in emergency situations. Must be able to administer first aid in an emergency situation.

Physical Requirements of Position:

The following are required in day-to-day performance of the duties of this position: Walking, Sitting, Pinching and Finger Flexion, and Visual/Auditory Acuity are required constantly (over 1/3 of the workday); Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling, Bending, Stooping, Crouching, Kneeling and Twisting are required occasionally (under 1/3 of the workday). Balancing, Climbing and Crawling are generally not required.