Dental Assistant I or II

Family Healthcare of Hagerstown • Hagerstown, MD

12h • $22 - $31 • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, this role performs general chairside and clinical functions related to patient dental care in both an office setting and a Mobile Unit. The Dental Assistant shares responsibility with the dental team for individual patient care, operates x-ray equipment, prepares operatories, and prepares patients for dental treatment by explaining procedures. This position requires maintaining and demonstrating competence in clinical practice and supporting the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of Family Healthcare of Hagerstown (FHH). Key responsibilities include assisting with patient assessments, utilizing appropriate techniques during dental procedures, anticipating the needs of the dentist and team, accurately recording patient data in electronic records, ensuring parental consent, performing intra-oral rinsing and aspiration, retracting oral tissues, mixing alginate and pouring impressions, preparing and tracking lab cases, calming and reassuring patients, wearing personal protective equipment, ensuring patient safety, demonstrating proper body mechanics, responding to emergencies, and reporting safety issues. The role also involves managing operatory equipment and sterilization, including preparing and ordering instruments, maintaining aseptic technique, preparing instrument packets for autoclaving, and working cooperatively with the dental team. Proficiency in dental radiography, including taking, scanning, and mounting radiographs according to Maryland State Dental Board regulations and radiation safety guidelines, is essential. Efficient utilization of time and supplies, assisting with inventory, managing resources for cost management, using downtime effectively, setting priorities, and assisting with patient scheduling and scanning are also key aspects. The position requires maintaining respectful interpersonal relationships, exhibiting emotional maturity, displaying positive attitudes during change, working cooperatively, accepting direction, fostering a non-discriminatory environment, and maintaining confidentiality. Job duties must be performed in accordance with FHH policies, including infection control, standard precautions, and right to know, with a focus on safe equipment use and reporting any safety issues.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school.
• Successfully complete Dental Assistant Program with national accreditation.
• Maintains certifications to ensure privileges at Meritus Medical Center to assist in dental OR cases.
• Maintains DANB by continuing education and community resources.
• Minimum of 1 - 2 years of experience as dental assistant with pediatric experience preferred.
• Must have proficient computer skills.
• CPR certified.
• Certified through Dental Assistants National Board and Certified by State of Maryland to take x-rays.
• Sits and stands eight hours a day for prolong intervals.
• Light lifting 0 - 20 pounds.
• Reaching below and above shoulder level.
• Seeing within normal limits with or without eyeglasses.
• Hearing within normal limits with or without hearing aid.
• Excellent manual dexterity with instruments and small dental items.
• Able to extend arms for prolonged intervals.
• Excellent bilateral integration.
• Excellent hand-eye coordination.
• Long periods of concentration with attention to details and procedures.
• Frequent contact with children who may exhibit acting out behaviors.
• Frequent contact with technical equipment, instruments and supplies.
• Frequent judgment decisions regarding dental procedures.
• Contact with computer technology.
• Works closely with other members of the dental team.
• Has access to confidential information.
• Sensory requirements include the ability to articulate and comprehend the spoken English language, in addition to being able to read and write the English language.

Nice To Haves

• pediatric experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Assists with assessing patients and treatment needs.
• Utilizes the appropriate techniques to assist the dentist with dental procedures.
• Anticipates the needs of the dentist and the dental team.
• Records all pertinent data in patient's electronic dental record.
• Assures parental consent is received prior to treatment.
• Performs intra-oral rinsing and aspiration procedures, during dental treatment.
• Retracts oral tissues, including lips, tongue, and flaps, during dental treatment.
• Mixes alginate and pours impression for diagnostic casts accurately.
• Prepares and tracks lab cases and verifies insert date within the scheduling system.
• Demonstrates the ability to calm and reassure patients.
• Utilizes appropriate behavior modification techniques with confidence.
• Displays and maintains a professional attitude.
• Wears personal protective equipment per FHH policy.
• Protects patients' safety during dental procedures.
• Demonstrates proper body mechanics and exercises safety measures while carrying out detail work activities.
• Appropriately responds to emergency and/or crisis situations.
• When a safety issue arises, immediately notifies supervisor and initiates a written report.
• Accurately makes and seats temporary crowns and bridges.
• Places topical anesthetic in location appropriate to treatment plan.
• Takes accurate bite registrations.
• Effectively oversees the preparation and ordering of instruments, equipment and supplies.
• Maintains aseptic technique by removing blood and debris from operatories, maintaining chain of sterility and asepsis and disinfecting equipment between patients per ADA, OSHA, MOSH standards.
• Date-stamps and initials instrument packets and cassettes prior to placing in autoclave.
• Takes responsibility for instruments used in operatory.
• Prepares instrument cassettes for sterilizer per ADA, OSHA, MOSH standards.
• Works as a team member assisting with instruments utilized by other staff, without prompting.
• Demonstrates care in handling and assembly of equipment.
• Lubricates hand pieces on air station.
• Checks the sterility indicators.
• Demonstrates proficient skills and knowledge in taking, scanning, and mounting dental radiographs according to the Maryland State Dental Board.
• Takes radiographs of patient's mouth following Radiation safety guidelines as established by American Dental Association.
• Maintains digital x-ray sensors according to manufacturer guidelines.
• Takes and updates radiographs and Panorex as needed and as dictated by office policy.
• Always places an apron on patients when taking x-rays.
• Inquires if female patient of childbearing age is pregnant.
• Effectively utilizes time and supplies to the benefit of the dental practice.
• Assists with maintaining inventory of dental supplies by keeping list up to date.
• Is able to manage resources in a manner that is conducive to the overall goal of the practice as relates to cost management.
• Utilizes down time by checking and stocking supplies in operatories.
• Demonstrates ability to set priorities.
• Regularly helps Patient Care Assistant and Front Desk Receptionist with patient scheduling and scanning, as time permits.
• Compiles and turns in assigned reports and safety logs to Dental Supervisor in a timely manner.
• Completes Daily Maintenance Log accurately.
• Maintains respect for employees, parents, and volunteers, and their individual commitment and contributions in support of FHH’s mission to provide consistent quality services.
• Exhibits emotional maturity through the resolution of conflicts by following established communication standards, expresses thoughts and concerns to the appropriate person at the appropriate place and time.
• Exhibits positive attitudes during times of change and disruption.
• Assists and supports Providers and co-workers.
• Works cooperatively in group situations.
• Readily accepts direction from supervisors and team leader.
• Without prompting, works cooperatively with dental team and others.
• Fosters a non-discriminatory environment.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient and departmental information.
• Role-models clean and neat work area.
• Cleans up after self and others.
• Performs job duties in accordance with FHH policies to include Infection control, standard precautions, and right to know.
• No occurrences of using equipment, supplies, instruments for unintended purposes.
• To include no injuries or potential of injury to self, co-workers, or patients from not using equipment properly.

Benefits

• accrued paid time off
• 7 paid holidays
• 1 Anniversary Award (after first year)
• health care, vision and dental benefits (employee, parent and child, employee and spouse, or family options)
• Company provided Life and AD&D Insurance
• Company paid Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) plan with company match
• additional voluntary benefits including cancer, hospital, accident coverage, and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree