This position is responsible for providing patient-centered care which ensures that patients, students, and their families feel comfortable and understand their dental needs. This position as Dental Assistant is primarily responsible for assisting the Community Dental Hygienist and Community Dental Expanded Function Dental Assistant with the delivery of patient care in school and community-based settings using portable dental equipment and will provide services across all community dental programs; and secondarily will receive the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in clinical settings, with optional training available to support growth toward a dental assistant role. This role will also intermittently support education services and will use evidence-based and age-appropriate education tools to promote oral health and sealant services.

Essential Job Duties

• Assists the dental hygienist and dental assistant in setting up and tearing down portable dental equipment and supplies at designated locations/schools on days and times scheduled.
• Sets up and ensures that instruments, supplies, and equipment are immediately available for patient care.
• Drives company cargo van with portable equipment to and from dental events.
• Provides direct assistance to the dental hygienist and dental assistant in oral screenings and dental sealant application procedures by performing 4-handed dentistry, including passing instruments for procedures.
• Assists in recording findings using a paper form or electronic application as determined by NHC.
• Assists in sorting paperwork, accompanying students to and from their classrooms, and seating patients.
• Maintains proper infection control practices at all times, including the following areas: PPE, hand hygiene, handling and disposal of sharps and biohazard waste, instrument sterilization and dental chair and equipment disinfection. 
• Maintains punctual, regular, and predictable attendance. 
• Assists at in-class education events in all school districts served by NHC’s sealant program.
• Helps set up and operate a hands-on oral health learning lab for school-based sealant program.
• Educates students about the importance of preventative oral health care and help increase their oral health literacy.
• Promotes sealant and School Based Health Center services at school events.
• Enhance cultural responsiveness.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• If working in clinics when Community Dental activities are not scheduled, this position may receive training to assist with the following clinical tasks:
  • Provide direct clinical assistance to dentists and dental hygienists by performing 4-handed dentistry, including passing instruments for operative and oral surgery procedures and mixing filling and medicinal materials.
  • Communicates with Dentist of their daily schedule and patient information; communicate with dental team about schedule changes and informs providers of changes.
  • Communicates expected wait times to patients, Dentists, and dental receptionist.
  • Seats and positions patient in the operatory.
  • Serves as anesthesia monitor for patients receiving care under nitrous oxide sedation.
  • Effectively cleans and/or sterilizes instruments and treatment rooms according to company policies and procedures and in accordance with State and Federal regulations for infection control.
  • Charts findings and treatment plans under the Dentist’s or Dental Hygienist’s direction.
  • Performs all duties necessary to support teledentistry.
  • Performs receptionist functions on an as needed basis.

Education and/or Experience

• High School Diploma, or equivalent, is required
• Completion of Dental Assistant training is preferred, or it can be obtained on the job
• At least one year’s experience in a health setting is preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be qualifying
• Current BLS for Healthcare Providers/CPR certification is required
• Active and unencumbered driver’s license is required
• Evidence of personal vehicle insurance is required

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