Registered Dental Assistant

JOB SUMMARY:

Provides oral health screenings, dental examinations, dental treatment, and care coordination services coupled with providing health education counseling to children ages 0-5 years old, and pregnant women; increasing the number of children in San Diego County who are free from oral health disease. Under the direction of the Staff Dentist, will maintain equipment, materials used, and supplies within the working area; work closely with the Dentist by assisting in patient care through dental procedures, and oral hygiene, restorative care, prosthetic and surgical care, and radiology exams, education and training.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Uphold and support the philosophies, objectives and policies of CHSI.
2. Provide age-appropriate oral health education, defined as a personal discussion or conversation with patients and/or clients in the medical and/or dental office or during group presentations and/or classes, or other event.
3. Provide education material related to infant oral hygiene, nutrition, fluoride education, bottle use, and the transmission of bacteria that causes tooth decay.
4. Provide education on brushing and flossing teeth
5. Refer children patients to a dentist based on the result of the screening bases on grant requirements.
6. Screen and refer pregnant women patients for oral health disease and refer to a dentist based on need.
7. Conduct examinations to include teeth cleaning, x-rays, fluoride treatments and/or sealants (as appropriate).
8. Perform caries risk assessments (CRA) on children and pregnant women using a standardized CRA tool; track and identify patients who are at “high risk” for dental caries in the Contract Management and Evaluation Data System (CMEDS).
9. Provide care coordination assistance to patients in obtaining dental services and intensive care coordination services to include assistance with appointment scheduling; appointment reminder calls and mailings; referral management; case management; oral health education; insurance assistance.
10. Additional care coordination services include general health promotion activities such as follow-up encounters with patients to encourage completion of all needed services or clarification to patients regarding their proposed course of treatment.
11. Work to streamline communication between staff in the medical office and the dental office to increase the likelihood that patients will complete needed treatment.
12. Provide education counseling on oral health issues to parents/guardians of children and to pregnant women using standard education and training curricula and materials.
13. Must attend monthly Dental Care Coordinator meetings, as well as trainings, as scheduled, related to services provided under the OHI grant

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position does not require supervisory responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

· Must be physically located at the dental clinic site.

· This employee should possess abilities in “Customer Service” communications, both verbally and in writing.

· Able to perform tasks related to physical activity that include lifting up to 25lbs, bending, and may have extended times of sitting and standing.

· Experience working in dental/medical field helpful and preferred.

· Knowledge and use of clinical/laboratory dental instruments, supplies, and equipment.

· Full proficiency in operating laboratory and dental operatory equipment and/or sterilizers, autoclaves, dry heat ovens, oil and boiling water sanitizers.

· Able to prioritize and organize.

· Ability to remain calm and exercise good judgment in demanding situations.

· Able to perform in an emergency.

· Fluency in English required. Fluency in Spanish desired.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

• High School graduate or equivalent
• 1 year or more experience as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
• Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) License and/or Coronal Polish in addition to, OR
• Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
• Current CPR Certification

· X-Ray license required.