Dental Assistant

Community Health Centers of America is searching for a compassionate, organized and knowledgeable Dental Assistant to join their dental clinic team in Sacramento. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to providing top-tier care for every member of our community. Learn more at www.chcahealth.org.

***Experience in the dental field is required.***

The Dental Assistant is essential to providing exceptional patient service, handling scheduling, assisting with treatment plans, and providing administrative support to the practice. This role involves a combination of patient-facing duties and administrative support while supporting efficient clinic operations. Will provide quality care and services to patients by assisting dentists and other staff in a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. Will affect the efficiency and productivity of patient flow through timely, accurate and professional preparation of patients and patient information.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

1. Ensure all patients enjoy a positive experience and are treated with the care and compassion expected.
2. Ensure all patient records and related documents are managed and maintained timely, accurately, and consistent with all HIPAA and related regulations and requirements.
3. Affect favorable billing and collection outcomes. Ensure all patient services and billing information is collected and submitted timely and accurately.
4. Ensure all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes, and related duties comply with all regulatory and accreditation standards, as well as clinic policies and procedures.
5. Develop favorable relationships with all patients. Instruct patients and their family members on general oral health care and/or information related to post-treatment care as appropriate.
6. Establish favorable working relationships with all staff members associated with clinic operations, including dental assistants, treatment coordinators, dentists, and related staff.
7. Uphold and consistently represent the values and mission of the organization at all times. Represent the organization in a highly professional manner at all times.
8. Ensure compliance and attention to all corporate policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Greet and welcome patients to the dental office with compassion and professionalism, assisting with check-in and check-out processes
2. Verify insurance eligibility and benefits and manage submission and follow-up of dental claims, pre-estimates and referrals.
3. Schedule and confirm appointments for dental treatments
4. Handle incoming phone calls
5. Coordinate with dental team to ensure smooth patient flow and efficient treatment scheduling
6. Maintain accurate patient records and update information timely to support treatment and billing consistent with HIPAA and requirements
7. Partner with dentist to present treatment plans to patients, providing clear explanations and answering questions. Educate patients on benefits, insurance coverage and financial options. Help address financial barriers.
8. Assist with managing office inventory and ordering supplies
9. Prepare and maintain dental instruments, materials and equipment.
10. Collect and record patient health histories (dental and medical) and record information for dentist's reference prior to examination.
11. Help patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
12. Take and process x-rays.
13. Assist dentist chair-side by organizing and preparing instruments for dentist's use and assisting as needed during procedures.
14. Advise patients in oral hygiene and dental care.
15. Follow through with post-visit duties.
16. Interact positively with a diverse, sometimes difficult, and demanding patient population. Provide service in a manner that is appropriate for the patient's age; demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to meet the patient's physical, psychosocial, educational and safety needs.
17. Demonstrate commitment to the mission of the organization in promoting dental health.
18. Read, write, and maintain patient records and related administrative documentation.
19. Utilize the requisite tools, systems, technology and equipment in the collection of patient data, records management and collections.
20. Demonstrate knowledge of dentistry procedures, clinic infection control procedures, cleaning and sterilization of instruments, tray setup and materials.

Benefits:

• Competitive pay
• Comprehensive health benefits: medical, dental, vision, EAP, life, voluntary
• 401(k) w match
• Vacation
• Paid sick time

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Rotating weekends

• 2 years dental practice experience required
• Dental practice electronic records experience
• Dental Assistant certifications required
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Current BLS required
• Radiation safety certification
• Working knowledge of MicroSoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of dental practices and procedures
• Ability to work independently and prioritize
• Customer/patient services and de-escalation experience
• Knowledge of Dental HMO and Medi-Cal Dental plans, insurance verification, fee schedules and financial presentation
• Experience with Dentrix or Open Dental or similar dental management software and proficiency in MicroSoft Excel and Office suite.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with patients and dental team members
• Strong organizational skills with focus on accuracy, detail and multitasking
• Bilingual English and Spanish, Russian, Farsi or Pashto preferred