Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

Description

Community Health Centers of America (CHCA) is dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality healthcare to underserved communities. Our dental team plays an essential role in supporting the oral health needs of our community, and we foster an inclusive, collaborative environment that values teamwork, professional development, and patient-centered care. Join us to make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.

Community Health Centers of America (CHCA) is seeking a dedicated and skilled Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) to join our mission-driven team in a part-time position in providing comprehensive dental care to underserved communities. The RDA will assist dentists in a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties, ensuring efficient patient flow and exceptional care. This position involves performing expanded functions permitted under California's BPC Section 1752.4, including coronal polishing, sealant application, and temporary crown fabrication, in accordance with HRSA guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical and Expanded Functions Under California's BPC Section 1752.4, the RDA is responsible for performing the following duties

As Part Of Comprehensive Patient Care

• Chairside Assistance: Provide chairside assistance as needed, setting up instruments, supporting the dentist, and ensuring all infection control and safety protocols are followed.
• Mouth-Mirror Inspections: Conduct mouth-mirror inspections to chart lesions, restorations, and missing teeth for dentist review. Coronal Polishing: Polish coronal surfaces of teeth to remove plaque and stains, preparing them for further treatment.
• Sealant Application: Apply pit and fissure sealants to prevent decay, ensuring proper isolation and adherence techniques. Provisional Crowns: Fabricate, adjust, cement, and remove temporary crowns, including stainless steel crowns as provisional restorations.
• Bleaching Agent Application: Apply and activate bleaching agents using non-laser lightcuring devices for cosmetic treatments. Caries Detection: Use automated caries detection devices to assist the dentist in gathering diagnostic information.
• Radiographic Imaging: Capture and process high-quality dental radiographs (x-rays) in accordance with state guidelines, ensuring all images are accurately documented in eClinicalWorks (eCW).
• Additional Expanded Functions:
• Place and remove post-extraction and periodontal dressings
• Adjust dentures extra-orally
• Dry endodontic canals using paper points Place ligature ties and archwires, and remove orthodontic bands (following additional training if required)
• Patient Preparation and Education Patient Preparation: Prepare patients for treatment by reviewing health histories, explaining procedures, and ensuring patient comfort throughout their visit.
• Oral Health Education: Educate patients on oral hygiene practices, dietary recommendations, and post-procedure care to support long-term oral health.
• Post-Procedure Instructions: Provide clear and empathetic aftercare instructions, answering any patient questions and ensuring they understand follow-up care.
• Infection Control and Safety Compliance Sterilization and Disinfection: Adhere to strict infection control protocols, including sterilizing instruments and disinfection of treatment areas, to prevent cross-contamination.
• OSHA Compliance: Follow OSHA and HRSA standards to ensure a safe environment for both patients and staff, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Administrative and Documentation Support:
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) Management: Accurately document patient records, procedures, and follow-up instructions in eClinicalWorks (eCW), ensuring HIPAA compliance.
• Sliding Fee Scale Program Support: Assist with patient intake and eligibility verification for the sliding fee scale program, ensuring compliance with FQHC standards.
  
  

Requirements

• Current California RDA license
• Coronal Polishing and Dental Sealants certification
• Completion of California Dental Practice Act and Infection Control training
• Radiation Safety certification or completion of an approved radiation safety course
• Current CPR/BLS certification
• 1 year of experience as an RDA, ideally within a community health or FQHC setting
• Familiarity with eClinicalWorks (eCW) or similar EHR systems
• Strong understanding of dental procedures, instruments, and terminology for effective support in clinical and expanded functions
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to provide culturally sensitive care to a diverse patient population
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple clinical tasks efficiently and adapt to changing environments
• Language Skills: Bilingual in English and Spanish, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, or Russian preferred to better serve our diverse patient base.
• Driver's License: Valid California driver's license and proof of auto insurance if travel is required for clinic duties.
• Health and Immunization Clearances: Compliance with California Department of Public Health requirements
  
  

Physical Work Environment: Busy dental clinic setting with high patient interaction. Physical Demands: Frequent standing, walking, and use of hands to handle or feel instruments. Must occasionally lift or move up to 20 pounds. Requires specific vision and hearing abilities for patient care and communication.