Dental Assistant

Neighborhood Health Clinics Inc•Fort Wayne, IN

15h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Dental Assistant / Expanded Function Dental Assistant with a career ladder that includes six levels. After completing foundational duties, employees can advance through levels based on interest, skill set, and business needs, with corresponding enhancements to their position and compensation. Level I covers basic dental assisting duties. Levels II through VI are achieved by mastering additional competencies such as radiology licensure, expanded functions (restorative or preventative), nitrous oxide certification, or basic front office duties.

Requirements

Clinical knowledge and skill in dental assisting process and treatment room procedures.
Ability to maintain knowledge of, and act in accordance with, current NHC policies and procedures.
Problem-solving skills: identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully, reacts calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
Interpersonal skills: builds relationships with patients and colleagues, practices good customer service, remains open to others’ ideas, maintains friendly and supportive relationships with coworkers, communicates effectively, and builds collaborative relationships with diverse populations.
Oral communication skills: speaks clearly and persuasively, demonstrates group presentation skills.
Written communication skills: edits work for spelling and grammar, presents numerical data effectively, reads and interprets written information.
Planning/organizing skills: prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently.
Quality control: understands compliance standards, pays close attention to accuracy and detail.
Adaptability: adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, deals with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.
Dependability: consistently at work on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction, solicits feedback to improve performance.
Safety and security: actively promotes and observes safety and security procedures, uses equipment and materials properly.
Information Technology/Dental Equipment proficiency: proficient in the use of computers and other dental equipment/instruments.
Graduate of an accredited Dental Assistant Program preferred but not required for Foundational, Radiology, Restorative, and Front Office duties.
Completion of DANB Radiation Health and Safety program and exam required for Radiology Licensure.
Completion of an Expanded Restorative Functions Dental Assistant course approved by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry preferred but not required.
Certificate of Completion of Coronal Polishing/Fluoride Varnish Application course approved by Indiana State Board of Dentistry required for Expanded Functions, Preventative.
Certificate of Completion of a course in Nitrous Oxide sedation approved by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry required for Nitrous Oxide Certification.
Experience in a clinical setting preferred.
Computer experience preferred.
Knowledge of dental terminology preferred.
Experience with electronic medical/dental record software preferred.
Obtain CPR upon hire.
Hold an active Indiana Dental Radiographer license or obtain within six months of eligibility.
Hold Preventative Functions Dental Assistant certification or complete applicable training within six months of eligibility.
Hold Coronal Polishing/Fluoride Varnish Application certification or obtain within six months of eligibility.
Obtain Nitrous Oxide Sedation Certification within six months of eligibility.
Prolonged standing, walking, and sitting; some stooping, bending, and stretching.
Full range of body motion, manual dexterity, and eye-hand coordination.
Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 35 lbs.
Corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
Ability to work under stressful conditions.
Exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.

Nice To Haves

Graduate of an accredited Dental Assistant Program preferred but not required for Foundational, Radiology, Restorative, and Front Office duties.
Completion of an Expanded Restorative Functions Dental Assistant course approved by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry preferred but not required.
Experience in a clinical setting preferred.
Computer experience preferred.
Knowledge of dental terminology preferred.
Experience with electronic medical/dental record software preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepares patients for dental examination by evaluating medical/dental history, escorting patients to operatory rooms, and taking vital signs (Blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, blood glucose, temperature, and SpO2).
Maintains and reviews patients’ records, charts, and other pertinent information.
Assists the dentist during treatment procedures by helping patients feel comfortable, preparing operatories and tray set-ups, transferring instruments, and preparing dental materials.
Charts conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment.
Makes impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts.
Assists with answering the Dental Wi-Fi Phone Line.
Assists with processing laundry cycles.
Assists with maintaining inventory of supplies within the Dental Department and placing orders.
Provides patient education on oral hygiene strategies, nutrition, and post-treatment care.
Assists with sterilizing instruments following infection control guidelines.
Assists with reconciliation of patient referrals.
Maintains and reconciles invoices for lab cases, ensuring correct charges, and updating patient appointments.
Assists with maintenance of dental equipment, lab trays, and pouring models.
Assists with collecting and preparing biohazard material for removal.
Checks appointment schedules and assists front desk staff with provider schedules.
Stays current in advanced practice changes and translates findings into clinical practice.
Attends and participates in meetings and in-services as required; chairs and serves on committees as requested.
Performs duties in accordance with NH Standards of Conduct and Mission Statement.
Performs related work as required and other duties as assigned.
Participates in professional development activities and maintains professional affiliations.
Takes dental radiographs.
Places restorations, fabricates temporary crowns and bridges, packs retraction cords, and places dental sealants under the supervision of a dentist.
Completes coronal polishing and applies topical fluoride varnish and/or silver diamine fluoride under the supervision of a dentist.
Delivers nitrous oxide when appropriate/indicated, under the direct supervision of a Dentist.
Obtains and enters new patient demographics and updates patient information in the EHR.
Researches, enters, and updates all information needed to complete the billing process, including verifying income, insurance, and Medicaid coverage.
Collects all co-pays, balances, and pre-payments, and applies payments to balances.
Balances charges and receipts at the end of each shift.
Preps accounts.
Enters preferred pharmacy information.
Schedules appointments according to clinic policy and provider notes, including walk-in patients and requests over the phone.
Calls patients to preregister and confirm appointments, updating demographic and pay source information.
Completes recall reminders.