Dental Assistant

Lowell Community Health Center (LCHC) is a diverse, community-based health care organization. Our programs have been recognized as national models and LCHC was named one of the top five health centers in the nation for excellence in cultural competency. With a career at LCHC, you will be joining a dynamic team of passionate and talented people.

Summary

Join our enthusiastic dental team that provides services for children and adults that include, but are not limited to dental exams and x-rays, cleanings, sealants, fillings, extractions, dentures, root canals, and crowns! Fourteen operatories in our beautifully renovated mill building create a unique and state-of-the-art dental facility.

Our Dental Assistants work alongside Dentists & Hygienists by preparing the patient for providers, including seating the patient, taking vitals, reviewing patient medical and dental history, and chairside assisting.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide chair-side assistance to Dentist(s) and Dental Hygienist(s) during procedures, including exams, sealants, cleanings, restorations, oral surgery, dentures, and some root canals and crowns
• Under supervision by a dentist, perform delegated duties such as applying fluoride varnish and dental sealants
• Prepare clinical area for daily activities, including start of day and closing
• Prepare, sterilizes, organizes, and sets up dental equipment, ensures that all dental instruments are properly cleaned, dated, and processed according to clinic standards
• Monitor and maintains dental equipment, such as compressors, evacuator systems, radiographic equipment, sterilizers, and light curing units, in accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines
• Prepare patient for provider, including seating the patient, taking vitals and reviewing patient medical and dental history
• Make entries in the patient chart as directed by provider
• Provide patient education, including proper oral home care and assisting the dentist in explaining dental procedures and post-operative instructions
• Properly take digital radiographs in accordance with provider orders and state dental regulations
• Assist in the monitoring and maintenance of radiation safety procedures and protocols
• Take intra-oral photographs, and teach patients about oral health promotion and disease prevention
• Ensure that dental supply inventory is maintained
• Perform miscellaneous clerical duties as needed, such as confirming and scheduling patients
• Report any concerns about equipment malfunctions, patient safety and/or clinical operations immediately to Dental Director
• Utilize computers for data entry and information retrieval with proficiency
• Attend departmental and center wide meetings ex: full-staff, etc.
• Other duties as needed or required

Requirements

• Current and valid license to practice dental assisting in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. On-the-job training possible in order to obtain license.
• At least one year of general dentistry experience preferred
• Spanish, Portuguese, Khmer, Kiswahili language skills a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequent standing and walking for up to 80% of the work day or shift.
• Some lifting, pushing or pulling required up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to see and distinguish color.
• Ability to perform CPR (chest compressions).

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Frequent contact with patients, families, visitors, nurses and other department staff. Occasional requests to change work areas to cover another priority area to meet patient needs. Occasional stress and pressure caused by multiple simultaneous demands. May be exposed to various body fluids and/or infectious diseases. Universal precautions and techniques are included in orientation and the availability of protective wear is supported and encouraged when the employee is at risk for exposure.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.

#INDLC