Office Support/ Dental Assistant

• Manage patient financial records to achieve the maximum reimbursement rates for services provided
• Work with dentist & dental assistant to ensure services are coded accurately and at the highest reimbursement level
• Collect insurance information from patient prior to appointment and call to verify benefits are active prior to appointment; Obtain pre-approval from insurance companies and Medicaid for dental procedures and maintain current benefit information
• Verify proof of income per agency policy and utilizing the federal poverty level income guidelines determine patient’s percentage of pay
• Collect patient fees and complete daily report, to include deposit and turn all into Administrative Specialist and/or designee; provide copies of daily report and checks to Administrative Specialist (billing) in main dental clinic
• Scan paper documents into electronic record
• Order office supplies for your area as needed from the Purchasing Agent in the health department 
• Escort Students between School and Mobile Dental Unit for appointments
• Compile and prepare student welcome dental packages, and deliver to the next school 2 weeks prior to moving the mobile dental clinic.  Collect completed student paperwork from the school nurse on moving day. 
• Work closely with health department Social Worker processing Medicaid and Health Choice applications and setting up appointments

• Conduct self in a professional manner, utilizing customer friendly techniques that express care and understanding 
• Schedule and coordinate patient appointments for dentist and dental hygienist to ensure optimal clinic flow
• Confirm patient appointments the day before via phone 
• Maintain a call list of patients that can come on short notice to optimize productivity 
• Register patient and establish patient record in electronic dental record
• Ensure that telephone is always answered. Check phone for messages throughout the day and before leaving at the end of the day.
• For returning patients, update patient demographics in electronic dental record
• Manage patients in lobby and assist with patient flow to minimize patient wait times
• Open all mail and distribute appropriately
• Follow-up on all referrals and document information in patient’s chart and referral log book 
• Perform various other duties as directed by the supervisor, or the Health & Human Services Director necessary to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives
• Establish rapport with school personnel & promote dental services
• Schedule mobile unit for maintenance concerns and assist with preparation for mobile relocation and setup at new sites with Health Department Administrative Officer
• Take complete and accurate medical history; review medical history on return visits and report findings to dentist
• Take vital signs as needed
• Ensure proper informed consents have been discussed with and signed by patient prior to procedure
• Have proper instruments and supplies ready prior to procedure
• Place appropriate burs into hand pieces for procedures being performed
• Have knowledge of dental procedures so that appropriate instruments are placed into or removed from dentist’s hands at appropriate times to ensure efficiency
• Have knowledge of dental procedures so that appropriate dental materials are dispensed in proper sequence
• Keep field of operation clear of obstruction and operative site well-illuminated adjusting operatory light as necessary to ensure optimal visibility for dentist
• Evacuate saliva and other debris from patient’s oral cavity as needed
• Retract tongue and cheeks so instrument and material placement is facilitated
• Take impressions for study models and opposing casts as necessary 
• Place cavity liners as necessary
• Pack gingival retraction cord for crown impressions as necessary
• Insert matrix bands and wedges
• Place and remove rubber dams as needed
• Cement temporary restorations and clean up appropriately
• Apply acid etch materials and bonding agents
• Remove sutures
• Remove excess cement
• Flush dry and temporarily close root canals
• Perform extra oral adjustments of any temporary restoration or appliance
• Apply topical anesthetics; apply topical fluoride
• Apply sealants
• Write out prescriptions dictated by dentist for his/her review and signature
• Write out lab orders dictated by dentist for his/her review and signature
• Perform coronal polishing 
• Expose and develop radiographs
• Properly clean and sterilize all instruments used in patient procedures
• Properly disinfect all surfaces exposed to potentially infectious materials
• Properly dispose of all disposable items exposed to potentially infectious materials 
• Maintain equipment per dental clinic’s schedule of maintenance policy and in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines
• Assist with monitoring of inventory
• Complete all necessary documentation
• Document patient progress notes in patients’ charts according to dental clinic protocol
• Document existing treatment and new treatment according to dental clinic protocol
• Assist with patient flow

Salary : $39,666 - $49,087