Dual Role Registered Dental Assistant

Christ Community Health Services • Jackson, TN

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Christ Community Health Services (CCHS) is seeking a welcoming, detail-oriented Registration Representative and Expanded Functions Dental Assistant to support both patient access and clinical dental services. This position often provides a patient's first impression of CCHS by greeting patients, answering calls and questions, completing registration and payment activities, coordinating appointments and referrals, and communicating accurate messages to the dental team. The role also provides chairside assistance to a licensed dentist, performs approved expanded dental functions, maintains clinical records and supplies, and supports infection-control and equipment procedures. The employee must be prepared to work at various CCHS locations as operational needs require.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of a Registered Dental Assistant program and expanded-functions education.
• One to two years of experience performing fundamental and expanded duties of a registered dental assistant as outlined by the Tennessee State Board of Dentistry.
• Experience completing dental radiographs and alginate impressions.
• Experience performing clerical and patient-registration duties in a dental office.
• Current registration to practice as an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant in accordance with the laws and administrative rules of the Tennessee State Board of Dentistry.
• Current CPR certification.
• Strong communication, customer-service, scheduling, documentation, and cash-handling skills.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention while balancing recurring front-office and clinical variables.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients, respond to questions when appropriate, and connect patients with the correct staff member or resource when additional assistance is needed.
• Facilitate completion of registration forms and ensure patients receive the information needed for registration, follow-up appointments, and future communication.
• Obtain and update patient demographic information in the practice-management system.
• Verify insurance coverage and primary care provider selection when applicable.
• Establish the method of payment and collect copayments, deductibles, insurance payments, and sliding-fee payments accurately.
• Schedule appointments, consultations, and procedures in accordance with provider availability and applicable insurance guidelines.
• Make reminder calls for appointments and recall services across CCHS health and dental centers.
• Answer and route incoming calls promptly, use the overhead paging system when needed, and take complete messages for administrators, dentists, hygienists, and other staff.
• Document the date, time, and operator initials on messages and email messages to managers from dental offices as appropriate.
• Complete daily activity reports, count funds collected, and reconcile the cash drawer at the close of each business day.
• Generate and track dental referrals and dental preauthorizations as directed by the dentist.
• Provide chairside assistance to a licensed dentist, including retracting the patient's cheek, tongue, and other tissue and using water-removal equipment.
• Take, expose, and develop dental radiographs of the mouth, gums, jaws, and teeth in accordance with applicable standards.
• Apply topical medications and place rubber dams as authorized.
• Remove excess cement adjacent to crowns, bridges, and orthodontic bands; place matrix bands; remove and replace ligature wires; and remove sutures when permitted.
• Perform dietary and salivary analyses and required infection-control procedures.
• Demonstrate oral-care procedures and techniques and accurately chart the patient's mouth.
• Flush evacuation systems with approved chemical cleaners and follow established equipment-cleaning procedures.
• Complete clinical reports and maintain accurate patient and operational records.
• Order supplies and equipment, maintain an accurate inventory, request repairs for dental equipment, and research pricing and equipment specifications.
• Perform coronal polishing and mechanically polish restorations.
• Place and remove temporary restorations.
• Monitor patients while nitrous oxide is being administered.
• Apply pit and fissure sealants.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous Paid Time Off, including 120 hours during the first year, plus paid holidays.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Annual paid Restorative Day supporting wellness and work-life balance.
• Mission-driven culture and employee recognition programs.
• Professional development and opportunities to grow within healthcare and dental operations.
• The opportunity to help expand access to high-quality healthcare throughout Jackson.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED