Dental Assistant

Brief Description

The Organization:

Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) is a community-based health care organization. Our programs have been recognized as national models. With a career at Lowell Community Health Center, you will be joining a dynamic team of passionate and talented people.

Summary:

Join our enthusiastic dental team who 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! The operatories in our beautifully renovated mill building create a state-of-the-art dental facility. Our Dental Assistants work alongside Dentists & Hygienists by preparing patients for providers, including seating the patient, taking vitals, reviewing patient medical and dental history, and chairside assisting.

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.
• Prepares, sterilizes, organizes, and sets up dental equipment, ensures that all dental instruments are properly cleaned, dated, and processed according to clinic standards.
• Monitors 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.
• Performs 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 the 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.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Successfully complete a course on the CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Healthcare Setting
• Pass the BORID Ethics and Jurisprudence Exam.
• Hold a current CPR/BLS certification.
• Successfully completed a BORID-approved radiation health and safety training course.
• 1 year of experience in a customer service background.
• 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.

Benefits:

Lowell Community Health Center offers a competitive salary with an excellent benefits program; including sick, personal and paid holidays, health insurance, company paid life and long-term disability, 403B, & flexible spending accounts.

Lowell Community Health Center is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.