Dental Assistant - Full Time - Waimea

Hamakua Health Center Inc•Waimea, HI

11d

About The Position

Under the supervision of a Dentist, the Dental Assistant provides assistance across a full range of dental treatments and participates in community-based dental projects and activities. The role follows HAR 79 Subchapter 7 Dental Auxiliaries allowable duties §16-79-69.1. The position supports clinical care, patient education, recordkeeping, referrals, equipment maintenance, and administrative operations. It requires multitasking in a patient-care role serving a diverse population in a clinic environment.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
Extraordinary customer service skills.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask.
Ability to use a computer, type, and comprehend computer logic.
Knowledge of dental equipment and operatory instruments and familiarity with dental procedures.
Ability to operate electronic dental record and medical software, digital X-ray equipment, and standard office equipment.

Nice To Haves

Certified Dental Assistant credentials.
Cultural sensitivity to the needs of the Hawaiian community.

Responsibilities

Prepare patients and the treatment area, including seating and draping patients, adjusting the chair, laying out instruments and supplies, and handing instruments to the dentist.
Assist the dentist during procedures by retracting tissues, placing and removing rubber dams, conducting mouth-mirror inspections and reporting observations, removing procedural debris, and providing other assistance as directed by the dentist.
Perform allowable dental auxiliary duties, including removing post-extraction dressings and sutures, placing matrix retainers after cavity preparation, taking impressions for study casts, removing excess cement with hand instruments, placing non-aerosol and non-caustic topical anesthetics, and completing toothbrush prophies for minors.
Take, expose, and develop radiographs; take intra-oral and extra-oral photographs; record blood pressure and vital signs; relate pre- and post-operative instructions; and monitor the nitrous oxide/oxygen unit.
Provide oral hygiene education to individuals and groups and participate in dental health education, demonstration, promotion, and community projects.
Create and maintain client files, statistics, dental logs, and accurate dental chart entries based on dentists' dictation; maintain patient confidentiality.
Assist with registration, quality-improvement and statistical data collection, client intake and exit documentation, and applications or documentation for health and social services.
Refer clients to appropriate community or state resources, agencies, and health professionals, and follow up to confirm services were received.
Encourage clients to share information about traditional practices and document it in the electronic dental record.
Sterilize instruments and equipment; maintain dental chair water bottles; replace the solid collector and shock waterline weekly; perform daily upkeep and general maintenance of dental equipment; update the SDS binder; and maintain dental and office supply inventory.
Attend training and participate in case review, program development, and implementation.
Greet patients and visitors courteously; answer phones; schedule appointments according to procedure type and duration; and assist with registration and patient checkout.
Update patient account information at every visit, verify insurance eligibility at scheduled appointments, determine copay amounts before services, and make reminder calls according to assignment.
Balance the cash drawer daily and follow end-of-day cash close procedures.
Enter patient data into HKH Electronic Medical Records accurately and promptly.
Maintain a safe, clean, and confidential work environment consistent with OSHA, HIPAA, and HKH standards.
Perform other duties as assigned.