PT Dental Assistant - Corrections

HEART OF FLORIDA HEALTH CENTER INC•Bushnell, FL

19d•Onsite

About The Position

Entry-level dental assistant position at SCJ - Bushnell, Florida. This part-time role is scheduled for one day per week, eight hours per day. The dental assistant performs delegable clinical assisting duties authorized under Florida Statutes 466 and Administrative Rules 64B-5. Duties include preparing and screening patients, assisting dentists and hygienists, educating patients, and processing instruments in accordance with HIPAA, CDC, and OSHA standards. Team members participate in ongoing training.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Successful completion of an accredited Dental Assistant Certificate (EFDA) training course, including dental radiology.
Current BLS certificate from a nationally recognized organization that includes hands-on skills verification; online-only or unrecognized certifications are not accepted.
Valid Florida driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Good people skills and ability to communicate in accordance with HFHC Core Values.
Ability to remain positive in stressful situations and deal professionally with unhappy, fearful, or confrontational individuals.
Knowledge of dental terminology, policies and procedures, and oral health issues, or willingness to train.
Ability to organize and prioritize workload and competent general office skills, including Microsoft Office products, EHR, fax machines, telephones, and copy machines.
Team-oriented approach and ability to maintain effective, positive professional relationships with clinical and nonclinical staff, including detention staff.
Willingness to train in additional duties and expanded functions to grow professionally within the organization.
Ability to work the assigned day and time for dental services.
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, stand or sit chairside for extended periods, use manual dexterity to handle specialized dental equipment, and see clearly enough to inspect instruments for cleanliness, residue, or defects.

Nice To Haves

Experience or training as a dental assistant; no dental assistant experience is required.
Experience working with underserved populations and cultural competency.
Experience working with patients of all ages, or willingness to train.
Ability to relate to patients of all religions and ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Bilingual ability.

Responsibilities

Screen and prepare patients for treatment and identify patients using double identifiers.
Document patients’ chief complaints in their own words and collect and record medical, medication, allergy, surgery, hospitalization, and social/dental history.
Obtain and record patient vital signs and other measurements as needed, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, glucose levels when applicable, height, and weight.
Operate dental X-ray equipment and take diagnostic dental X-rays as prescribed by the dentist.
Clean, oil, bag, sterilize or disinfect, and recirculate dental instruments according to OSHA and CDC standards.
Educate patients about oral hygiene, treatment options and plans, consent, and post-operative instructions; obtain witness signatures for specialty procedures as needed.
Assist the dentist through four-handed dentistry, including suctioning, handling dental materials, and transferring instruments.
Perform delegated preventive dental treatments, including crown polishing, flossing, sealant placement, and fluoride placement.
Disinfect the operatory before and after dental procedures.
Record accurate dental charting of existing restorations, new dental caries, and planned restorations.
Assist with dental exam and procedure documentation, close procedure codes after visits, and complete required paperwork and medical-record data entry.
Assist with patient scheduling and present dentist-prepared treatment plans for patient signatures.
Participate proactively in patient care to support office efficiency and productivity.
Assist with office inventory, dental equipment, and logs as instructed by the assigned dentist.
Follow professional conduct requirements and organizational and department policies and procedures.
Work collaboratively with clinical and nonclinical staff, including detention staff at the correctional site.