Community Dental Assistant I

NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER•Milwaukie, OR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Neighborhood Health Center is a non-profit organization local to Portland, OR serving underserved patients in the areas of primary care, internal medicine, dental services and more. Our patient-centered approach to care honors the unique needs and circumstances of each individual patient. NHC sees people, not problems, and recognizes that the time spent as a patient in a doctors office is only one factor in a persons overall health. Our leading edge, integrated clinical teams work in partnership with patients, their families, and the communities we serve to provide whole-person care, prevention, and ongoing support. NHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate differences in the workplace and do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (sex), national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. 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.

Requirements

High School Diploma, or equivalent, is required
Current BLS for Healthcare Providers/CPR certification is required
Active and unencumbered driver’s license is required
Evidence of personal vehicle insurance is required
Ability to communicate professionally both orally and in writing with a service-oriented approach, sometimes in stressful circumstances.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA policies.
Ability to serve individuals with limited English proficiency, low literacy, and limited experience with insurance.
Ability to communicate well via phone, email, and face-to-face with professionals, and students and their families.
Ability to work independently, effectively and professionally.
Ability to comprehend and manage documentation in multiple databases.
Proficient knowledge of MS Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and electronic tablets.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, peers, patients and the general public.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Nice To Haves

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
Basic knowledge of dental terminology preferred.
Spanish and English bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

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.
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 (if working in clinics when Community Dental activities are not scheduled).
Communicates with Dentist of their daily schedule and patient information; communicate with dental team about schedule changes and informs providers of changes (if working in clinics when Community Dental activities are not scheduled).
Communicates expected wait times to patients, Dentists, and dental receptionist (if working in clinics when Community Dental activities are not scheduled).
Seats and positions patient in the operatory (if working in clinics when Community Dental activities are not scheduled).
Serves as anesthesia monitor for patients receiving care under nitrous oxide sedation (if working in clinics when Community Dental activities are not scheduled).
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 (if working in clinics when Community Dental activities are not scheduled).
Charts findings and treatment plans under the Dentist’s or Dental Hygienist’s direction (if working in clinics when Community Dental activities are not scheduled).
Performs all duties necessary to support teledentistry (if working in clinics when Community Dental activities are not scheduled).
Performs receptionist functions on an as needed basis (if working in clinics when Community Dental activities are not scheduled).