Dental Assistant

Committed to Our Community in the Heart of the Redwoods. Removing Barriers to Healthcare Access

FoCHC Fortuna Community Health CenterThe Dental Assistant (DA) provides chair-side support to dentists and dental hygienists, working collabo-ratively in a patient-centered care team setting. Dental Assistants advocate for patients and assist in the furtherance of their care as directed within the California DA Scope of Practice.

A DA possesses basic understanding and demonstration of DA tasks and scope of practice with support of additional training as outlined in the essential duties and responsibilities below.

Our Dental Assistant hourly wage ranges are listed below. All new hires will start at the base wage for the position. Job Experience and other requirements may be required to be hired at a higher step on our ladder.

• Dental Assistant - $26.00 to $34.06
• Registered Dental Assistant - $28.00 to $36.71

Hmong and Spanish speakers who successfully pass a language exam will receive a minimum of .75 cents added to their wage. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Able to demonstrate at end of probationary period)

• Prepares patients for procedures by dentist and assists chair-side. 
• Assists dentist with as many procedures as adequately trained to do, including but not limited to: cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns, extractions, dentures and coronal polishing. 
• Takes, develops and mounts X-rays; properly uses Scanx, Sensors, and panorex machine as qualified; imports and exports images. 
• Checks blood sugars for patients. 
• Files patient dental information into chart accurately. 
• Provides patient education on proper dental care. 
• Prepares operatories between patient visits by cleaning and stocking in accordance with dentist’s practices and OSHA compliance guidelines. 
• Wraps equipment for autoclaving and operates autoclaves correctly; mixes and uses different cleaning solutions as required for each test. 
• Follow guidelines for universal precautions including hand washing and use of Personal Protective 
  Equipment (PPE) as appropriate. 
• Navigates medical emergency according to safety procedures and scope of practice. 
• Keeps operatories, hallways, and other areas clean. 
• Adheres to the basic DA scope of practice in California. 
• Other duties and responsibilities as designated by supervisor.  

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Ability to promote effective communication between the patient and the dental provider. 
• Ability to accurately chart patient information. 
• Ability to handle difficult or confrontational situations in a calm, consistent, and equitable manner. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish constructive professional working relationships among a diverse workforce.  
• Ability to work as a member of a team in order to communicate and/or solicit pertinent information to and from other team members and support team decisions; ability to work independently as well. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, written and verbal; Ability to establish constructive working relationships with all levels of management and employees of varied and diverse backgrounds. 
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to effectively represent ODCHC’s interests in the community and maintain effective working relationships among coworkers, public, private, and professional groups. 
• Strong computer skills with specific aptitude in Microsoft Office Suite and/or Electronic Medical Records (EMR).  
• Exercises sound and responsible judgment. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Completion of accredited Dental Assistant training program OR two or more years of dental assistant experience.  

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Current CPR Certification.
• Certificate of Completion or degree of accredited Dental Assistant training program or evidence of equivalent related experience and/or training as a Dental Assistant (required).
• Dental Radiography Certificate
• Infection Control and OSHA Certificate

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None.

SUPERVISION AND SUPPORT: The Dental Assistant reports directly to the Administrative Site Director and is an integral member of the Dental care team.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical requirements described are representative of those needed to successfully perform the essential duties of the position. Reasonable accommodation will be made to allow otherwise qualified candidates to perform these functions.

• Ability to communicate via telephone, video, and/or in-person. 
• Vision adequate to read documents, computer screens, forms.
• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods. 
• Ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move up to 25 pounds.
• Good manual dexterity. 
• Ability to use keyboard and view computer screens for extended periods.
• Ability to travel locally and long-distance as needed. 
• Ability to move around offices and clinics as needed