Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Every employee of SIHF Healthcare is expected to uphold our vision, mission, and values. Our actions will reflect our values of Compassion, Diversity/Inclusivity, Excellence, Integrity, Respect and Stewardship creating a culture in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. This will result in our vision of an "Enriched health and life in a just society" through the fulfillment of our mission to build partnerships, develop safe and affordable housing, community engagement in building trust and solutions, foster economic development, provide access to comprehensive health care services, and reduce disparities.

Treat every person with dignity, respect and kindness by listening with your full attention, addressing questions/concerns immediately, and accepting responsibility to follow through by always doing what you say you will do. You support our customers, and your team, by being patient, understanding and positive, knowing that you are SIHF Healthcare to those we serve.

Assist Dental Director, Dentists and Hygienists in the care and treatment of SIHF Healthcare patients in addition to performing duties of reception, chair side assisting, inventory, and records.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assist the dentists and hygienists in chair side procedures routinely done in a general dental practice.
2. Responsible for preparation and setting up instruments, materials, and equipment necessary for each procedure.
3. Provide oral hygiene and post operative care instructions.
4. Responsible for the sterilization of instruments, and the cleaning and routine maintenance of equipment and work areas.
5. Take X-rays as necessary.
6. Schedule patients, handle routine reception work, accurately record information on patient records.
7. Help implement the processing of encounters and billing and bookkeeping procedures.
8. Help to identify related medical and/or social problems, and complete insurance forms.
9. Order supplies and materials.
10. Manage the inventory of supplies and materials, ensuring thorough and accurate documentation.
11. Provide coronal polishing and application of pit and fissure sealants.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Ability and willingness to learn.
2. Ability to establish and maintain effective communications with patients and coworkers.
3. Ability to communicate in English and Spanish desirable.
4. Desire to expand abilities.
5. Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
6. Ability to motivate patients.
7. Ability to prepare and maintain charts, records, logs, and reports.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective and positive working relationship with patients and staff.
9. Ability to tolerate prolonged intervals of sitting, standing and walking.
10. Able to comply with all safety procedures (bloodborne pathogens and hazard communication standards).
11. Certification in coronal polishing and application of pit and fissure sealants desired.
12. Maintain CPR Certification.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or GED equivalent required. Graduate of an accredited school for Dental Assistant or 1 year of previous dental assisting experience and approval/completion of internal SIHF Dental Assistant credentialing program.

Physical Demands:

Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature. Local travel by personal automobile is required along with a valid driver's license and insured automobile, if necessary.

Work Schedule:

Normal work hours for this position are Monday through Friday dayshift. Attendance at off-site meetings will be required with no overnight stay. Occasional out-of-town travel may be required.

Compliance Statement:

Abide by the requirements of all applicable State and Federal laws.

Medical Home Statement:

Be aware and understand the expectations and responsibilities of the Patient Centered Medical Home. Understand role, complete relevant duties, and the requirement to maintain highest level of proficiency within scope, as part of this team-based approach in the patient care continuum.