Dental Assistant

About Company:

As one of the largest primary care practices in Southwest Georgia, Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC) provides health care services to more than 54,000  patients and nearly 217,000 office visits per year. AAPHC is also one of the largest Community Health Centers in our region!  To learn more about Community Health Centers, and how this benefits Southwest Georgia.

At AAPHC, we strive to provide comprehensive, coordinated, and continuous care to all who access our services. Did you know that all qualifying medical offices operated by AAPHC are recognized as a Level III Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) by the National Center for Quality Assurance (NCQA)? NCQA offers three levels of PCMH recognition with Level III being the highest level.  As a Level III PCMH, AAPHC is committed to continuously raising the quality of care within our practices, while also lowering our patients health care costs.

Our health care teams are comprised of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurse midwives. Assisting these providers are clinical staff members, laboratory personnel, and business office professionals.  

Our goal is to always provide access, and even expand access, to your provider so you always can reach AAPHC when you need us most!  When you visit an AAPHC office, you can trust that you'll be well cared for by our team.  Always.

About the Role:

The Dental Assistant plays a critical role in supporting dental professionals to deliver high-quality oral healthcare to patients. This position involves preparing treatment rooms, assisting during dental procedures, and ensuring all instruments and equipment are properly sterilized and maintained. The Dental Assistant also educates patients on oral hygiene practices and provides compassionate care to help alleviate patient anxiety. By efficiently managing clinical and administrative tasks, the Dental Assistant contributes to a smooth and effective dental practice operation. Ultimately, this role is essential in promoting patient comfort, safety, and positive dental health outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of an accredited Dental Assisting program.
• Certification in infection control and sterilization procedures.
• Basic knowledge of dental terminology and procedures.
• Ability to follow body motion ergonomics to prevent injury.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) or equivalent.
• Experience with dental software and electronic health records.
• Additional training in patient communication and compassionate care techniques.
• Familiarity with dental radiography and taking dental x-rays.
• Previous experience in a dental office or clinical setting.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare and organize dental treatment rooms and instruments prior to patient appointments.
• Assist dentists during various dental procedures by handing instruments and materials as needed.
• Perform sterilization and infection control protocols to maintain a safe clinical environment.
• Take and record patient dental histories and vital signs accurately.
• Educate patients on post-treatment care and proper oral hygiene techniques.
• Manage patient scheduling, record keeping, and other administrative duties as required.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and maintain cleanliness of the dental office.
• Support the dental team by trimming dental materials and preparing dental impressions.

Skills:

The required skills such as Dental Assisting and Dental Terminology are essential for understanding and supporting dental procedures effectively. Sterilization and Infection Control skills ensure the safety and hygiene of the clinical environment, protecting both patients and staff. Mastery of Body Motion techniques helps the Dental Assistant perform tasks efficiently while minimizing physical strain. Compassion and Dental Care skills are vital for providing empathetic patient interactions and promoting positive dental experiences. Trimming and other technical skills are used daily to prepare dental materials and assist the dentist, ensuring smooth procedural flow and high-quality patient care.