Dental Assistant I

First Choice Community Healthcare•Los Lunas, NM

14d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Dental Assistant I provides clinical, administrative, and staff support for a full-range dental services operation. The position assists with dental and radiography procedures, prepares and maintains dental equipment and supplies according to established protocols, and supports day-to-day patient administration, records management, and office activities. The role provides chairside assistance to dentists and dental hygienists across a range of procedures, prepares and sterilizes instruments, maintains dental equipment, exposes and processes radiographs, and helps ensure compliance with applicable clinical and radiation-safety standards. It also supports patient intake and triage, third-party approvals, records and laboratory slips, patient education, supply inventory, follow-up calls, and dental impressions under a dentist’s direction. The position works primarily inside a controlled clinic environment and may require travel throughout the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Work is regularly scheduled Monday through Friday; weekends may be required to meet deadlines. The role involves moderate physical activity, including handling objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four hours per day.

Requirements

High school graduation or GED certificate.
Active license from the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care, with Dental Radiography certification.
Obtain CPR certification within the first six months of hire and maintain it.
Ability to work as a team member in a clinical environment.
Current knowledge of and ability to follow dental clinical procedures and protocols.
Knowledge of federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines for dental outpatient services.
Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation according to regulations and guidelines.
Knowledge of sterile procedures.
Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a range of dental equipment according to procedures and standards.
Ability to expose and process dental radiographs and knowledge of radiation-safety procedures, standards, and protocols.
Knowledge of supply and service ordering and inventory control.
Interviewing skills; knowledge of planning and scheduling techniques and patient evaluation and triage procedures.
Records maintenance skills and familiarity with the compliance program.
Ability to cooperate fully and comply with laws and regulations.
Good dexterity to operate a personal computer and basic medical and laboratory equipment.
Ability to read computer monitor output and basic medical test results accurately, and to communicate clearly and accurately for work and safety compliance.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an ADA-recognized certificate program.
Bilingual English/Spanish ability.
Work experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Provide chairside assistance to dentists and/or dental hygienists during operative, preventive, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic, and oral surgical procedures.
Prepare, sterilize, organize, and set up dental equipment; ensure instruments are cleaned, dated, and processed according to clinic guidelines.
Monitor and maintain dental equipment, including compressors, evacuator systems, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers, and light-curing units, according to manufacturers’ guidelines.
Expose and process dental radiographs according to provider orders and assist with radiation-safety procedures and protocols.
Follow applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations, guidelines, policies, and standards for dental clinical services.
Order and maintain inventories of dental clinic supplies, materials, and equipment.
Interact with and process dental clinic patients, conduct telephone triage and patient interviews, and obtain prior approvals from third-party payors.
Maintain dental laboratory slips and create and maintain dental records according to established protocols and procedures.
Prepare instruments for sterilization and storage in trays.
Educate patients about prevention and control of oral diseases using appropriate teaching aids.
Contact patients by telephone to arrange return visits.
Take and pour up dental impressions under the direction of a dentist.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.