Dental Assistant

Description

Heritage Health is hiring a full-time (1.0 FTE) Dental Assistant to join our friendly and fast-paced team in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. 

Why You Should Join our Dynamic Healthcare Team:

Passionate Purpose: We're committed to enhancing lives, every day. 

Unmatched Support: We are committed to a fun and supportive team environment.

Balanced Lifestyle: No weekends or holidays, ensuring a healthy work-life balance.

Collaborative Care: Work with a dedicated team to provide the best patient outcomes in the right settings.

Exceptional Rewards: Competitive pay

Schedule: PRN, as needed with no guaranteed hours. Must provide availability and/or be available to fill in on short notice. Flexible schedule requires, including potential short-notice requests.

In this role, you will support the daily operations of our dental clinic by assisting dentists and dental hygienists in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. As a Dental Assistant, you will play a vital role in enhancing the patient experience and ensuring the efficiency of the dental department.

Your responsibilities will include performing intraoral x-rays, assisting with documentation of existing conditions and treatment plans, and ensuring a smooth handoff to the dental scheduling team. You’ll be a key contributor to a positive, welcoming environment that reflects Heritage Health’s commitment to excellence in care.

Expected to quickly integrate into existing workflows and follow clinic protocols with minimal guidance. Expected to stay up to date on essential updates (annual trainings, policy & protocol updates, etc.).  Expected to respond to shift requests or schedule inquires, even if unavailable. 

Requirements

•  BLS certification, required or must be obtained within 90 days of hire
•  Completion of an accredited dental assistant program, preferred.
•  Completion of externship or federally registered apprenticeship program, preferred
•  Experience with Dentrix Enterprise and Dexis, preferred
•  Previous experience as a dental assistant is required, 1 year minimum. 

Your Essential Duties:

•  Welcome and prepare patients for treatment.
•  Aide in explaining procedures and ensure patient comfort throughout the appointment.
•  Prepare for and assist the dentist(s) or dental hygienist(s) during various dental procedures using four-handed practices chairside.
•  Take diagnostic x-rays for the dentist(s) to determine extent of any decay and disease.
•  May perform complex or specialized radiography under direct supervision of Dental Assistant Supervisor or dentist(s).
•  Obtain vitals and update medical history of patient, highlighting significant information for dentist's review.
•  Record areas of existing restorations, enter and treatment plan decay and other pathoses as diagnosed by dentist.
•  Educate patients on oral hygiene technique, post-treatment care, and preventative measures as instructed by dentist(s) or dental hygienist(s).
•  Ensure accurate patient documentation including, but not limited to health history, consent forms, treatment plans, progress notes, and referrals under the supervision of the dentist(s).
•  Apply knowledge of proper technique of all dental procedures and materials.
•  Ensure dental tools, equipment, and treatment area are properly sterilized and/or sanitized and maintained according to health and safety standards. 
•  Assist with ordering and maintaining dental supplies and equipment, ensuring everything is in stock and in good condition.
•  Practice universal precautions and follow infection control procedures.
•  Assist Dental Sterilization Technician, Dental Hygienists, and Dentists as needed.
•  May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, confirming patient visits, and handling patient inquiries.
•  Maintain familiarity of and compliance with all Heritage Health policies and procedures, OSHA, HIPAA, and state regulations. 
•  Attend and actively participate in all required meetings and in-services. 
•  Promote positive interpersonal relationships with fellow employees, dentists, and patients.
•  Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position.
•  Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
•  Perform all functions to which he/she is certified for under supervision of a dentist as required by Idaho State Law including, but not limited to: 
• Rubber dam placement and removal
• Retraction cord placement and removal
• Placing temporary restorations
• Placing and removing matrix band and wedge
• Pit and fissure sealants
• Coronal polish and fluoride application
• Application of silver diamine fluoride
• Suture removal
• Administration of nitrous oxide
• Fabrication of temporary crowns
•  Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Your Success Factors:

•  Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
•  Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time management skills.
•  Ability to manage several tasks simultaneously without compromising quality or accuracy.
•  Knowledge of dental procedures, terminology, and equipment.
•  Ability to follow safety and infection control protocols.
•  Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team

Job Overview:

Working Conditions: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/dental clinic work environment in a medical and dental clinic building. Work may be demanding and chaotic at times. May be exposed to patient population that will present a variety of contagious diseases, physical injuries and emotional states of mind.

Physical/Mental Requirements:

•  Prolonged periods of standing and working on a computer.
•  May lift up to 15 pounds at times.
•  Must be able to access and navigate various departments of a given location.
•  Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy or stressful environment.
•  Must be able to adhere to process protocol.

Safety: Heritage Health enforces a safety culture whereby all employees have the responsibility for continuously developing and maintaining a safe working environment. Each employee is responsible for completing all training requirements, participating in emergency response tasks as requested, and serving on safety committees and teams as requested. In addition, employees must accept responsibility for maintaining the safety of themselves and others by adhering to all written and verbal instructions, promptly reporting and/or correcting all hazards or unsafe conditions, and providing feedback to supervisors and management on all safety issues.