Dental Assistant III - Community Dentistry

Supports dentists and hygienists in teaching and patient care in both community-based settings as well as the dental clinic. The primary patient populations being served are developmentally disabled, physically disabled, sensory impaired, pediatric, and other vulnerable populations requiring advanced care. Assists dentists and hygienists in teaching best practices of patient care- especially for vulnerable populations in community and clinic settings. Prepares work areas, equipment, instruments, and supplies needed for patient care. Is responsible for maintaining equipment and instruments as well as their proper disinfection, transportation practices, sterilization, and storage. Helps to assure authorization and consent to treat is appropriate and updated medical histories are provided. Helps to ensure record keeping is timely, complete, and appropriate follow-up care is arranged. Collects program and/or billing data as needed for reporting purposes.

Qualifications:

* Graduated from an accredited Dental Assisting School with Radiology Certification

* A minimum of 10 years of dental assisting experience-preferably serving vulnerable populations.

* Experienced in operating and maintaining dental equipment, notably portable dental units, mobile dental equipment, and portable radiographic equipment.

* Documented experience in complex dental delivery settings

* Experienced in interprofessional communication and the provision of interdisciplinary whole person health care.

* Experience with various electronic healthcare record (EHR) systems, medical and dental record keeping practices. Experienced in applying HIPAA, FERPA, and Infection Control standards in both clinical and community-based settings

* Experience in the social services field and is anticipated to serve as a liaison between the School of Dentistry and the community rotation sites preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

* Strong interpersonal/human relations skills- including active listening, empathy, and non-verbal communication skills.

* Leadership ability and organization skills to manage multiple tasks within time constraints and with the appropriate degree of urgency.

* Attention to detail and anticipatory judgement regarding patient safety, comfort, and follow-up.

* Ability to set-up, trouble shoot, maintain, and tear down portable/mobile dental equipment.

* Ability to apply fluoride varnish, successfully secure diagnostic radiographs, and provide post-operative or oral hygiene instructions in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.

* Demonstrated competency in the use of Word, Excel, and MS Office.

* Ability to utilize multiple dental software systems for record keeping, billing, and reporting needs.

* Ability to maintain dental equipment and supply inventories within budget and according to utilization and scope of services.

* Application and adaptation of infection control and asepsis standards across multiple delivery environments including, but not limited to; break down, decontamination, packaging, sterilization, chemical/biological monitoring, logging, tracking, transportation and storage of instrumentation, armamentarium, and PPE.

* Knowledge of dental emergency response and medical emergency kits.

* Ability to work collaboratively with a healthcare team at multiple locations. Must have reliable means for transportation to commute to multiple sites.

* Assist dental students and faculty working with vulnerable populations to include taking radiographs, suctioning, passing instruments and material. Lift, push, pull up to 25lbs of mobile dental equipment and transport of patients with assistive devices.

* Capacity to work independently, efficiently and maintain organization.

* Proficiency in electronic health records for documentation of patient records, excel database and must be comfortable using telehealth as a service delivery method.