Dental Assistant

Description Perform clinical and administrative duties under the direction of the Dental Manager/Chief Dental Officer. Clinical duties may include taking, recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the dentist in procedures. Administrative duties may include scheduling/confirming appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding for insurance purposes.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

Assist the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures. Prepare treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols this includes asking the patients about their medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse. Document dental care services by charting in patient records. Sterilize, prepare, and deliver instruments to the treatment area, maintaining infection control protocols at all times. Assist chairside by suctioning, passing instruments, and anticipating procedural needs. Provide materials by selecting, mixing, and placing materials on instruments and in the patient's mouth. Provide diagnostic information by utilizing proper technique to obtain digital radiographs. Pour, trim, and polish study casts. Ensure operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques. Maintain dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies. Use equipment and supplies judiciously to minimize waste and support efficient resource management. Prepare patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping patient. Educate patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative instructions. Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations. Communicate all concerns to the dentist. Accurately file patient information and arrange patient charts and radiographs for the next day’s appointments. Maintain necessary logs, both electronically and written. Maintain client and family confidentially. Quick response/accurate data entry to present treatment plans to patients in a short time frame. Assist with agency fundraising activities as requested, including promoting events, selling tickets, soliciting donations and other tasks to support events. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Solid working knowledge of dental procedures, instrumentation, sterilization protocols, radiography, and chairside assisting techniques. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, and the ability to navigate electronic health record systems. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including professional telephone etiquette and the ability to interact effectively with patients, staff, and the wider community. Ability to review, understand, and apply concepts presented in training programs, conferences, and/or professional literature. Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to build effective rapport with patients, staff, and community members from diverse backgrounds. Ability to interact and work with diverse populations. Clear understanding that FoundCare provides information on educating individuals on safer sex practices which would include but not be limited to, exposure to explicit language, explicit printed material, and descriptions of explicit sexual activities as part of the agency’s mission in the prevention and transmission of HIV disease. Ability to adapt to office policy improvements (office is constantly striving for improved customer care/service). Ability to handle various special projects on an ongoing basis while addressing daily needs for the department. Ability to complete projects with minimal directions/instructions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to endure short, intermittent, and/or long periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties. Full range of body motion: Position requires reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing. Ability to lift & carry objects weighing up to 25lbs. Exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and communicable diseases. Ability to utilize standard precautions to prevent transmission of diseases acquired by contact with blood, bodily fluids, non‑intact skin, and mucous membranes. Ability to travel to other FoundCare locations and perform job duties. Ability to travel to other locations to attend meetings, workshops, and seminars, plus travel to other FoundCare departments and FoundCare conference rooms.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduate with a diploma from a Florida board‑approval dental assisting school or program in addition to a high school diploma/GED. Completion of formal training to perform as an expanded functions dental assistant. Minimum of two (2) years of clinical experience. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. #J-18808-Ljbffr Foundcare, Inc.