Summary: The Dental Assistant is responsible for assisting the dentist(s) and dental hygienist(s) in the direct provision of primary care dental services to patient of Hunter Health Clinic (HHC). The Dental Assistant is also responsible for sterilization, preparation, and inventory control of dental supplies and instruments. The Dental Assistant supports the Dental Director, Dental Hygienists and other members of the department and provides quality dental care to all Hunter Health Clinic patients while maintaining compliance with all federal grants, OSHA, Dental Board, and Hunter Health Clinic policies and procedures.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist the Dentists and Dental Hygienists in patient care.
• Assist patients in resolving minor difficulties, answering their questions, and giving directions to patients as authorized by the dentist or dental hygienist.
• Prepares operatories for patient treatment as per Dental Department protocols and the dentist’s or dental hygienist directions.
• Exposes and develops dental radiographs in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department directive and protocol.
• Maintains Dental Department equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s directions and Dental Department policy and protocol.
• Maintains all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directives and protocols as well as HHC policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
• Maintains adequate operatory supplies and compiles a list of individual item shortages for inventory control and ordering purposes.
• Maintains a list of all Dental Department patients, monitors patient flow, and assists the Dental Director, dentist(s) and dental hygienist(s) in assuring that all patient records and documents are properly and accurately completed and filed.
• eCW (electronic clinical works) knowledge for documentation of patient charts.
• Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient care of the Dental Department.
• Assists with various clinical and administrative functions of HHC as appropriate and time permits.
• Insure the sterility of all reusable dental instruments and equipment in accordance with Dental Department directive and protocol.
• Insure the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive, HHC policy as well as state and federal regulation(s).
• Performs all functions in full compliance with HHC’s and the Dental Department Exposure Control Plan including but not limited to the use of Personal Protective Equipment and Universal Precautions.
• Participates in appropriate health promotion/disease prevention activities both on-site and off-site as required.
• Travels when necessary to meet operational needs.
• As directed by a supervisor, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.
• Responsible for personal compliance in full of all applicable federal, state, local and HHC rules, regulations, protocols, and procedures including but not limited to the participation of a Dental Assistant in provision of clinical dental care, as well as those relating to, but not limited to personnel issues, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.
• Responsible for distributing clinic literature and providing complete and thorough explanation of all HHC policies pertaining to patient rights, Indian verification, income verification, minimal fees, sliding scale fees, prescription fees, fees for services, and other information to the patient.
• Responsible for thorough registering of patients into clinic by completion of required patient registration forms and the proper filling out of intake forms, medical history forms, income verification forms, and any other required forms for complete patient information.
• Responsible for accurate, complete, and detailed income verifications on each patient and responsible for its minimal semi-annual update.
• Instruct patients in dental procedures, dental hygiene, etc., as directed by the Dentist and Dental Hygienist.
• Assist with dental billing and data compilation as it relates to the dental program.
• Prepare dental rooms according to professional standards for daily patient use.
• Maintain the acceptable standard of client confidentiality according to law and professional office standards.
• Maintain courtesies and congeniality with all patients.
• Maintain referral relationships with the HHC staff for follow-up on dental and medical assistance.
• Assume custodial duties as assigned for proper health sanitation.
• Participate in continuing education relative to the Dental Assistant's position (college hours, workshops, seminars, etc.).
• Schedule dental appointments as appropriate.
• Assist in maintaining recall system and mail out appropriate recall cards. Call patients that have a phone for confirmation.
• Refer all 0 percent patients to the Eligibility Coordinator for screening of Medicaid eligibility.
• Triage emergency and Walk In patients.
• Other duties as assigned by the Dental Clinic Manager and/or Dental Director.

Patient-Centered Medical Home Job Responsibilities

1. Patient Population Management:
   1. Listens, identifies, and responds quickly and effectively to internal and external customers’ needs and sets work activities; accordingly, goes beyond what is expected and follows up to ensure customer satisfaction
2. Care Coordination:
3. Self-management Support:
4. Communication Skills:
   1. Display the ability to communicate effectively with vulnerable populations, including those made vulnerable by their financial status, personality characteristics, place of residence, health status, and/or age. Understand health literacy levels or other approaches to addressing communication needs.
   2. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills are required, including the ability to multi-task and adapt to a changing work environment. Display good judgment and decision-making skills.
   3. Effectively conveys and receives ideas, information, and directions; seeks to clarify and confirm the accuracy of their understanding of unfamiliar or vague terms and instructions; listens effectively; demonstrates good verbal and written communication
   4. Successfully works with others to achieve desired results; contributes to team projects; exchanges ideas, opinions; helps prevent, resolve conflicts; develops positive working relationships; is flexible, open-minded; promotes mutual respect
   5. Demonstrates a high level of customer service both internally and externally.
   6. Display professional appearance in accordance with Hunter Health Clinic’s (HHC) policy.
5. Quality Improvement:
   1. Develops realistic plans; balances short and long-term goals; uses time and resources effectively; prioritizes duties in a manner consistent with organizational objectives and emergencies; meets deadlines and follows through; requests assistance when necessary to complete duties
   2. Pursues goals with commitment and takes initiative eagerly; results-oriented; desires to excel on the job; works steadily and actively; demonstrates self-confidence and positive attitude.
   3. Demonstrates accuracy, thoroughness, and reliability; manages time and priorities; develops and follows work procedures
   4. Attend all applicable facility in-service and staff developmental activities as scheduled.
   5. Monitors and takes initiatives to adhere to compliance aspects of the position.
   6. Evaluates own practice and accepts constructive feedback regarding performance.

Qualifications:

• Certified Dental Assistant preferred. Completion of accredited course in dental assisting preferred.
• Minimal high school diploma or GED.
• Preferred 1 to 3 years of experience as an assistant.
• Ability to be cross-trained, ability to effectively communicate with the under-served people.
• Ability to attend to multiple tasks at the same time and to prioritize assignments and responsibilities to ensure compliance with established deadlines and protocols.
• Effective oral and written communication skills in English are required. Effective oral communication skills in Spanish is preferred.

Physical and Mental Demands of the Job:

All employees, including those who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job function listed below, either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation. The functions listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. These essential functions document does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

• Talking: The ability to speak effectively
• Average Hearing: The ability to hear average conversations and respond accordingly.
• Repetitive Motion: The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is required to stand; walk; reach with hands.
• Finger Dexterity: Using primarily just the fingers to make small movements such as typing, picking up objects and pinching fingers together
• Average Visual Abilities: Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Working Conditions: Works in a well-lit, climate-controlled environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually high. Potential exposure to infectious disease is possible.
• Physical Strength: The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
• Mathematical Ability: Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with this job. Hunter Health Clinic Inc. reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs.