Dental Assistant - Bilingual

Smiles of Faith Mobile Dental Clinic - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Job Title: Bilingual Dental Assistant (English/Spanish)

Reports To: Executive Director

Clinical Supervision: Dentist

Organization: Smiles of Faith Mobile Dental Clinic

Employment Status: Part-Time (0.8 FTE, Four Days per Week)

Work Location: On-site, Mobile Clinic Operations at Various Community Locations

Compensation: Starting at $23.00 per hour, based on qualifications and experience.

Benefits: Refer to Compensation & Benefits section below.

Organization Overview and Workplace Culture

Smiles of Faith Mobile Dental Clinic is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive oral healthcare to uninsured and underserved communities throughout Tulsa and the surrounding areas. Rooted in faith, dignity, and community service, Smiles of Faith seeks to restore confidence, hope, and health through accessible dental care.

Smiles of Faith Mobile Dental Clinic is committed to fostering a collaborative, mission-driven workplace grounded in faith, compassion, professionalism, and service. Every team member plays an essential role in advancing the clinic's mission to provide free, high-quality dental care while treating every patient with dignity, respect, and excellence.

Position Summary

The Bilingual Dental Assistant serves as an essential member of the clinical team by providing chairside assistance, preparing treatment areas, obtaining diagnostic radiographs, maintaining infection prevention standards, and supporting efficient daily clinic operations. This position contributes to a safe, welcoming, and patient-centered environment while helping ensure the delivery of high-quality dental care to underserved populations.

The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, compassionate, and adaptable. Because Smiles of Faith serves a diverse patient population, bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is required to promote effective communication and culturally responsive care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Patient Care

• Assist the dentist during restorative, surgical, preventive, emergency, and other dental procedures.
• Prepare treatment rooms and maintain patient comfort and safety.
• Escort patients and promote a positive, compassionate patient experience.

Chairside Dental Assisting

• Prepare instruments, materials, and equipment for treatment.
• Maintain a clean clinical field and assist with expanded functions as permitted.

Dental Radiography

• Obtain diagnostic radiographs and maintain radiation safety standards.
• Upload images accurately into electronic records.

Infection Prevention and Sterilization

• Follow OSHA, CDC, and clinic infection control protocols.
• Sterilize instruments, maintain sterilization records, and prepare operatories between patients.

Clinical Documentation

• Document treatment, update patient records, and assist with treatment planning documentation.

Patient Education

• Provide oral hygiene and post-operative instructions and reinforce treatment recommendations.

Inventory and Equipment Management

• Monitor supplies, organize inventory, and report equipment maintenance needs.

Mobile Clinic Operations

• Assist with setup, breakdown, transportation readiness, and organization of the mobile clinic.

Administrative Support

• Assist with scheduling, records, and front office operations as needed.

Team Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with the dentist, hygienist, Patient Services Coordinator, Executive Director, volunteers, and community partners.
• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of the clinic's mission.

Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Graduate of an accredited dental assisting program preferred.

Licensure and Certifications

• Active Oklahoma Dental Assistant Permit.
• Oklahoma Radiation Safety Permit.
• Coronal Polishing Permit preferred.
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Valid Oklahoma driver's license.
• Current immunization record.

Experience

• Minimum six months of chairside dental assisting experience required.
• Public health or nonprofit dental experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bilingual in English and Spanish required.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and computer skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced mobile clinic while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and compassion.

Work Schedule and Conditions

• Standard work schedule consists of four (4) weekdays per week.
• A one-hour unpaid lunch break will be provided each workday.
• Work locations may vary depending on mobile clinic scheduling and community partnerships.
• Occasional evening or weekend community events may be required.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation

• Hourly Rate: Starting at $23.00 per hour

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Employees are eligible to receive ten (10) days of paid time off per calendar year.
• PTO will be used for vacation, personal leave, and/or illness. Separate sick leave is not provided.
• PTO does not roll over into the following calendar year and resets annually on January 1.
• All PTO requests must receive prior approval from the Executive Director.
• Unused PTO has no cash value and will not be paid out upon separation of employment or year-end.

Holiday Break

• Employees will receive up to two (2) weeks, equivalent to eight (8) working days, of paid holiday leave during the Christmas and New Year season.
• Specific holiday closure dates will be determined collaboratively by the Executive Board, Executive Director, and Dentist(s).

Attendance Expectations, Payroll Policies, and Excessive Absences

Employees are expected to maintain regular and dependable attendance. Paid Time Off (PTO) must be used for approved absences related to illness, personal leave, or other time away from work.

Once all available PTO has been exhausted, any additional approved absences will be unpaid.

Employees are expected to communicate absences promptly and follow all call-in and scheduling procedures established by Smiles of Faith Mobile Dental Clinic.

Regular attendance is essential to the effective operation of Smiles of Faith Mobile Dental Clinic and to maintaining quality patient care. Employees are expected to report to work as scheduled and to provide timely communication regarding any absence or tardiness.

Excessive absenteeism, repeated tardiness, failure to follow call-in procedures, or patterns of unexcused absences may result in corrective action, up to and including termination of employment.

The determination of excessive absenteeism will be based on factors including, but not limited to:

• Frequency and pattern of absences or tardiness
• Failure to provide adequate notice
• Operational impact on clinic services and patient care
• Previous attendance concerns or disciplinary actions

Smiles of Faith reserves the right to address attendance concerns in a manner consistent with organizational needs, applicable law, and the mission of the clinic.

Performance Evaluations

• Performance evaluations will be conducted annually.
• Compensation adjustments may be considered based on employee performance, organizational needs, and available funding.

Background Check Requirement

Employment with Smiles of Faith Mobile Dental Clinic is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. This may include criminal history verification, reference checks, and any additional screening deemed necessary by the organization.

Smiles of Faith reserves the right to withdraw an employment offer or terminate employment based on the results of the background screening if the findings are determined to be inconsistent with the responsibilities, standards, or mission of the organization.

All background checks will be conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Confidentiality and HIPAA Acknowledgment

Due to the nature of this position, the Patient Services Coordinator will have access to confidential patient, employee, and organizational information. Employees are expected to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all protected health information (PHI), patient records, clinic operations, and internal communications.

Employees must comply with all applicable Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, organizational privacy policies, and security procedures designed to protect sensitive information.

Unauthorized disclosure, misuse, or improper handling of confidential information may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Employees may be required to complete HIPAA and confidentiality training upon hire and periodically throughout employment.

Employment-at-Will Statement

Employment with Smiles of Faith Mobile Dental Clinic is considered “at-will.” This means that either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law.

Nothing contained in this job description, employment policies, or related materials shall be interpreted as creating a contract of employment or a guarantee of continued employment for any specific duration.

Only a written agreement signed by the Executive Director and authorized representatives of the organization may alter the at-will nature of employment.

Pay: From $23.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23