Dental Assistant I - Entry Level

Dental Assistant I

Job Summary: The Dental Assistant I (DAI) prepares, sterilizes, organizes, and sets up dental equipment, ensures that all dental instruments are cleaned, dated, and processed according to established safety guidelines and standards.  Monitors and maintains dental equipment, such as compressors, evacuators, radiographic equipment, sterilizers, and light curing units, in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines.  DAI can provide chair side assistance to dentists and dental hygienists in the provision of clinical dental care, including operative, preventative, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic and/or oral surgery procedures, as dentist rendering procedure feels comfortable.  Orders and maintains inventories of dental clinic supplies, equipment, and instruments.   Maintains dental laboratory slips and creates and maintains dental records in accordance with the established protocol and procedures. Must have basic computer skills. This is a non-exempt, full-time position in pay grade 1 with the pay range of $16.17 - $19.41. The Dental Assistant I reports directly to the Dental Clinical Quality Director.

Required Skills/Abilities:                            

• Must be proficient in basic computer skills.
• Career-focused
• Passion/interest in pursuing a career in dentistry.
• CPR certification.

Education and Experience:

• Education- High school diploma or GED certificate.
• Completes EHR competency upon hire.
• Dental experience is a benefit, but not a requirement for this position.
• Dental Radiation Technician license from the state of Maryland required to be obtained within one year of hire. 

CORE VALUES- Standards of Behavior: 

• Commitment To Service 
• Respect 
• Quality  
• Teamwork 
• Patient Focus 
• Integrity  
• Accountability 
• Caring & Compassion  
• Professionalism  
• Listening & Responding 
• Safety  
• AIDET 

Job Related Competencies:

• Empathetic Outlook- The ability to perceive and understand the feelings and attitudes of others; the ability to place oneself “in the shoes” of another and to view a situation from their perspective. 
• Attention to Detail- The ability to process detailed information effectively and consistently.
• Problem Solving- Identifies and analyzes problems weighing the relevance and accuracy of available information. Generates and evaluates alternative solutions and makes effective and timely decisions.
• Communicates Effectively- Developing and delivering multi-mode communication that conveys a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Values And Ethics- Serving with integrity and respect in personal and organizational practices. Ensuring decisions and transactions are transparent and fair.
• Time Management- The ability to effectively manage one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

Commitment to Community: 

Choptank Community Health System (CCHS) is committed to creating a safe and open healthcare environment that improves health outcomes and values and respects the unique experiences and perspectives of both patients and staff by: 

• Prioritizing access for all individuals;
• Offering ongoing training for staff to promote health awareness, preventive measures and early detection for the varied patient population on the Eastern Shore;
• Actively engaging with patients, families and staff;
• Fostering a workplace culture in which everyone is treated with dignity.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Maintains a safe and hygienic patient environment. 
  • Always completes necessary equipment monitoring per established clinical protocol, follows equipment maintenance schedules and completes logs.
  • Maintains patient operatories, including daily disinfection, setup and stocking of dental supplies.
  • Cleans and maintains dental laboratory area daily, and the equipment as necessary (including maintenance of vacuum/compressor, cleaning evacuation lines, etc. per clinical protocol).
  • Monitors and maintains autoclave equipment and dental instruments as necessary to ensure sterile condition and techniques.
  • Prepares laboratory cases to include, contacting the laboratory, preparing for shipment, packaging, and monitoring due date back to the office.
  • Maintains proper inventory of supplies by communicating low stock to designated person or ordering if required.
  • Quality Control Data- monitors oxygen and nitrous oxide tanks, checks fire extinguishers, checks medications for expiration. 
  • Completes Autoclave competency and N2O Quality Assurance Competency upon hire and annually thereafter.
• Performs other duties as required.
  • Takes initiative to solve problems and recommends improvements to lead dental assistant or other leadership as it applies.
  • Traveling to other CCHS sites to cover shortages within the department.
  • Consistently displays professionalism during interaction with CCHS customers, staff, and clinicians. Practices AIDET.
  • A dental assistant’s duties may include answering telephones, greeting patients, scheduling appointments and facilitating referrals.
  • Makes recommendations for cost containment and/or quality improvement.
  • Takes initiative and prioritizes effectively.
  • Works with other staff to achieve a desirable working environment.
  • Takes initiative and anticipates needs of other dental assistants. 
• Assists dentist or dental hygienists.
  • Always prepares dental materials correctly, as needed, and in an amount sufficient to meet the need of the procedure.
  • Consistently anticipates the sequence of dental procedures and is prepared in advance of them as observed by the dentist.
  • Always ensures that chart information is accurate and complete and follows up with the dentist or dental hygienist.
  • Prior to appointment, reviews daily schedule and verifies treatment plan 
  • Assists students and residents with CCHS’s processes and procedures.
  • Assists front office dental staff with planning and scheduling of patient visits.
  • Assures that all instruments and materials are available prior to the patient’s arrival. 
  • Triages dental emergencies.
• Regular, reliable attendance is a requirement of this job.

Benefits: 

• Tuition and education assistance
• Certification scholarships available 
• Paid holidays (9) 
• Flexible paid time off and vacation scheduling
• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Referral program
• Employee wellness program
• Discretionary Bonuses

Choptank Community Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital or family status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.