Dental Assistant

Overview

The dental assistant is responsible for both clinical and administrative elements of the day-to-day functioning of the agency’s dental clinic. The dental assistant is a vital to the agency’s infection control program, through sterilization of dental instruments as well as maintaining CDC standards of infection control in a chairside setting. The dental assistant collaborates with the rest of the dental staff to ensure the delivery of comprehensive dentistry.

Key Role Responsibilities

• Maintain infection control according to the 2003 CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Setting, maintain OSHA, and demonstrate current knowledge of dental instrument and machine maintenance by keeping accurate maintenance logs.
• Effectively perform basic chairside dental assisting duties according to licensure, as well as, but not limited to, operatory set-up/break-down, taking radiographs, taking dental impressions, chair-side assisting for all dental procedures as well as assisting hygienist as needed.
• Considers all relevant factors (such as dental schedule/upcoming procedures) and uses appropriate decision making criteria to prioritize work, including, but not limited to, completing lab procedures (pouring up models, sending out cases, completing invoice check request forms for Finance), ordering supplies, disposing of expired materials, organizing the dental clinic, and disposing of waste.
• Values both clinic and administrative time, is able to use time effectively and efficiently and without personal distractions, to attend to a broader range of responsibilities.
• Partners with other dental assistants to achieve shared objectives for smooth operation throughout the dental department; gains trust and support of colleagues by proactively taking on shared responsibilities.
• Demonstrate ability to adapt by seizing new opportunities with a can-do attitude and stepping up to handle challenging situations.
• Helps drive provider results by ensuring that dental providers have instruments, supplies and materials needed to achieve their goals during the appointment. Takes clinical direction from dentists on staff.
• Establishes and maintains effective professional relationships with clients.
• Follows through on commitments to dental team through self-motivation and timeliness.
• Provides assistance to Fallsway, Our Daily Bread, and West Baltimore dental clinics as needed by the Agency.

Key Agency Responsibilities

In addition to role responsibilities, each staff member of Health Care for the Homeless has the following responsibilities as a part of their employment:

• Models and reinforces the Health Care for the Homeless “core values” of dignity, authenticity, hope, justice, passion and balance
• Actively participates in performance improvement activities and actively participates in advocacy activities that support the mission of Health Care for the Homeless
• Performs other duties on an as-needed basis
• Protects our client’s personal health information by maintaining compliance with HIPAA and other relevant Health Care related IT security regulations

Knowledge, Experience, and Skills

Formal Education and Training

Completion of a state recognized training course as a Dental Assistant

• Current Maryland licensure as a Dental Assistant
• Current X-ray certification
• Current CPR certification
• Evidence of ongoing professional continuing education as required

Experience

• At least one year experience in a dental setting
• Experience in a community health center or primary care setting preferred
• Experience working with underserved populations preferred

Skills

• Strong organizational skills necessary to assure smooth operations of the medical clinic
• Excellent communication skills, including comfort with databases and systems
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to work with disadvantaged and underserved populations and to collaborate with other medical team members, other staff members, and personnel of other agencies
• Able to maintain confidentiality surrounding all information related to clients served by the clinic
• Able to cope with interruptions, be flexible, and be a team player
• Able to work with ill, disabled, emotionally upset and sometimes hostile individuals
• Bilingual in Spanish and English strongly preferred
• Ability to work across all sites as necessary