Dental Assistant

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Dental Assistant for the Dental Van will provide direct support to the dentist in delivering high-quality dental care in a mobile, portable setting. This position requires both clinical and administrative skills to assist with a variety of dental procedures, recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the dentist in procedures. Administrate duties may include scheduling/confirming appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding for insurance purposes. The Dental Assistant will be responsible for driving to the assigned location of the mobile dental unit each day, ensuring prompt and safe arrival at the designated site. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assist the dentist during a range of clinical treatment procedures. 
• Prepare treatment rooms by following prescribed procedures and protocols, including reviewing patient medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse. 
• Document dental care services accurately in patient records. 
• Sterilize, prepare, and deliver instruments to the treatment area, maintaining infection control protocols at all times. 
• Select, mix, and place materials on instruments and in the patient's mouth. 
• Expose and develop radiographic studies, and pour, trim, and polish study casts as required. 
• Ensure proper operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance, following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions. 
• Maintain equipment inventories and evaluate new equipment and techniques. 
• Maintain dental supplies inventory by monitoring stock levels, anticipating needs, placing orders, and verifying receipt of supplies. 
• Use equipment and supplies judiciously to minimize waste and support efficient resource management. 
• Prepare patients for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping. 
• Educate patients on oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative care. 
• Maintain a safe and clean working environment by complying with all applicable procedures, rules, and regulations. 
• Accurately file patient information and arrange patient charts and radiographs for the next day’s appointments. 
• Enter treatment plan data accurately and promptly to support timely patient consultations and scheduling. 
• Communicate all concerns to the dentist. 
• Assist with agency fundraising activities as requested, including promoting events, selling tickets, soliciting donations and other task to support events. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Solid working knowledge of dental procedures, instrumentation, sterilization protocols, radiography, and chairside assisting techniques. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, and the ability to navigate electronic health record systems.
• Ability to orally communicate effectively with others, with or without the use of an interpreter. 
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing using the English language, with or without the use of auxiliary aids or services. 
• Ability to review, understand, and apply concepts presented in training programs, conferences, and/or professional literature. 
• Clear understanding that FoundCare provides information on educating individuals on safer sex practices which would include but not be limited to, exposure to explicit language, explicit printed material, and descriptions of explicit sexual activities as part of the agency’s mission in the prevention and transmission of HIV disease. 
• Ability to handle various special projects on an ongoing basis while addressing daily needs for the department. 
• Good interpersonal skills to maintain effective rapport with patients, dentists, other staff members and community. 
• Ability to adapt to evolving policies and processes in support of continuous service improvement. 
• Ability to interact and work with diverse populations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to endure short, intermittent, and/or long periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment (e.g., facemask, goggles, latex/non-latex gloves) as needed.
• Ability to work in a patient care setting with possible exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, and ability to utilize standard precautions to prevent transmission of diseases.
• Full range of body motion required. Position requires reaching, bending, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing.
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing 25 pounds or less.
• Ability to use standard office and clinical equipment, including computers and telecommunication devices.
• Ability to travel between FoundCare locations and attend off-site meetings, workshops, and seminars as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate with a diploma from a Florida board-approval dental assisting school or program in addition to a high school diploma/ GED. 
• Completion of formal training to perform as an expanded functions dental assistant.
• Minimum of (two) 2 years of clinical experience. 
• This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.