Dental Assistant - II

Howard Brown Health is a nationally recognized leader in LGBTQ+ health and wellness. Our commitment to inclusive and affirming care has made us a cornerstone of the Chicago community. At Howard Brown, we believe in providing holistic, patient-centered care that empowers individuals and enriches lives.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to health equity and social justice.
• Work in a supportive, inclusive, and culturally competent environment.
• Access to continuous learning opportunities and professional development.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Contribute to groundbreaking health initiatives and research.

Benefits

• Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance with two PPO plans and an HMO plan.
  • BCBS HMO, PPO, and PPO Select Plans
  • BCBS Dental
  • BCBS Vision

• Paid Time Off:
  • 3-weeks paid vacation and 1-week of personal time
  • 12 accrued sick days per year
  • 10 paid holidays, including Juneteenth
  • PTO Exchange allows employees to turn unused PTO into liquid assets
• 401k program with up to 5% employer match after 90 days
• Employer-paid basic life insurance valued at one times the annual salary
• Voluntary Life and AD&D, and Short-term and Long-term disability
• Pre-tax commuter and parking benefit account
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Forgiveness Programs; NHSC & PSLF
• Employee Assistance Program with 5 employer-paid counseling sessions
• 50% off at Brown Elephant Resale Shops and discounts at local businesses

What you can expect:

Reporting to the Dental Hygiene Manager and under the supervision of a licensed Dentist, the Dental Assistant II will carry out fundamental and supportive dental procedures. Executing expanded functions, including Coronal Scaling and Intra-coronal Temporization, while ensuring compliance with infection control protocols. Manages patient records, communicates patient care plans, insurance, and billing processes. Conducts financial assessments, manages, and directs phone calls, schedules and confirm patient appointments and changes as necessary. Leverages industry knowledge and best practices to promote the mission and vision of Howard Brown Health as well as supports culture enhancement and management efforts.

Pay:

Dental Assistant II: $23.24

How you will make an impact:

Clinical Services and Procedures:

• Provides support during dental procedures by transferring instruments, manipulating dental materials, retracting, and evacuating the oral cavity, and assisting with sedation as needed.
• Arranges dental equipment, prepare tray setups, organize dental materials and supplies, and maintain patients’ records efficiently.
• Reports any malfunctions of operatory or X-ray equipment to the appropriate personnel and assist in identifying and reporting general maintenance issues within the clinic.
• Aides the supervisor in the ordering, stocking, inventory management, and distribution of dental supplies and equipment; ensure that all supplies and equipment are cleaned and properly stored after use.
• Exposes digital, cone-beam, computed tomography (CBCT), and film-based dental radiographs under the supervision of a dentist or dental X-ray technician, adhering to all radiographic techniques and radiation protection protocols.
• Provides guidance to patients on proper oral hygiene practices as directed by supervising staff.
• Prepares, organizes, and packs dental instruments and supplies systematically for efficient use.
• Cleans and sterilizes all supplies and instruments, applying disposable barriers on equipment as required by facility protocols for patient treatment.
• Takes, pours, trims, and polishes study casts and dental models to assist in diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Performs tasks comparable to those associated with the next lower level in this series and undertake other related duties as assigned.
• Conducts coronal polishing procedures to enhance dental hygiene and promote optimal oral health for patients.
• Applies pit and fissure sealants. ​
• Monitors the patient while nitrous oxide is being administered.​
• Monitors a patient under minimal sedation, moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia. ​

Administrative Duties / Patient-Centered Services/Electronic Health Information Recording:

• Records treatment information in patient records in EPIC.
• Generates patient referrals to specialists as ordered by the Dentist, using the appropriate channels as dictated by the patient’s dental insurance carrier.
• Schedules appointments and maintain records, manually or using computer.
• Maintains an organized and well-stocked dental operatory to facilitate efficient workflow during dental procedures.
• Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
• Safeguards confidentiality of the medical charts/records and complies with all local, state, and federal laws pertaining to medical records.
• Evaluates high levels of asepsis in the dental operatory before receiving, during treatment, and following dismissal of patients according to OSHA guidelines.
• Participates in all required team meetings and continuing education in-services.
• Determines needs, orders, stores, and keeps inventory of supplies and equipment used in the clinic.
• Maintains the overall operating efficiency of equipment in the clinic.
• Adheres to Howard Brown Core Values and Customer Service Expectations.
• Participates in emergency preparedness plan as dictated by the policy and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent.​
• One year (1) of work experience as Dental Assistant I level.​
• Current Certification as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) by the Dental Assisting National Board.​

CERTIFICATION / LICENSURE

• Certified in expanded functions, including:
  • Coronal Scaling and Intra-coronal temporization of a tooth accomplished either through a board-approved course relative to the expanded function in question. ​
  • Coronal Polishing and Sealants.
• Current BLS/CPR certification for Healthcare Providers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES (K/S/A)

• Possess a thorough understanding of dental procedures and medical practices relevant to dental assistance, including knowledge of four-handed dentistry methods.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including vocabulary, spelling, composition rules, and grammar.
• Proficient in utilizing various clinical software applications for data entry, information retrieval, and document creation.
• Capable of performing administrative tasks such as managing files and records, designing forms, and overseeing inventory management.
• Ability to establish and maintain a positive rapport with patients, enhancing their experience and comfort.
• Ability to swiftly coordinate hand and arm movements for grasping, manipulating, or assembling various objects.
• Capable of maintaining focus on tasks for extended periods while sitting, standing, or moving.
• Ability to work affirmatively with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and HIV+ patients.

ADA SPECIFICATIONS

• Requires ability to speak audibly and listen actively.
• Requires ability to use computers, telephones, and other office equipment.
• Requires ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• May require periodic travel.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:
Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees at Howard Brown are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age, FMLA status, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state or local statutes.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.