Dental Assistant Job at Fair Haven Community Health Care in New Haven

Overview

Fair Haven Community Health Care (FHCHC) is a forward-thinking, dynamic community health center that provides care for multiple generations at over 143,000 office visits in 21 locations. Overseen by a Board of Directors, the majority of whom are patients themselves, FHCHC offers a wide range of primary and specialty care services, as well as evidence-based patient programs to educate patients in healthy lifestyle choices. The mission of FHCHC is “To improve the health and social well-being of the communities we serve through equitable, high quality, patient-centered care that is culturally responsive.” FHCHC has been a health care leader for 53 years, providing excellent, affordable primary care to all patients, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. FHCHC believes that everyone should have access to high-quality medical and dental care, regardless of ability to pay.

Job purpose

To ensure proper and efficient patient workflow and to enhance the dental patient experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepares treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols.
• Prepares patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping patient.
• Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
• Provides instrumentation by sterilizing and delivering instruments to treatment area: positions instruments for dentists’ access, suctioning and passing instruments utilizing four-handed technique.
• Provides procedural materials by selecting, mixing and placing materials on instruments and in the patient’s mouth, as necessary.
• Provides diagnostic information by exposing and developing radiographic studies, as well as pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts.
• Educates patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative instructions.
• Documents dental care services by charting in patient records, as requested by dentist and/or Dental Director.
• Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential as outlined by the organization’s HIPPA policies.
• Maintains a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations as outlined by the Dental Director.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols as outlined by OSHA.
• Ensures efficient and effective operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements with oversight by Lead Dental Assistant, including following manufacturer’s instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions, calling for repairs, maintaining equipment inventories and evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Maintains dental supply inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level and reporting back to the Lead Dental Assistant current level and need.
• Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks and participating in professional societies when directed.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related tasks in a timely fashion.
• Helps dentist manage dental and/or medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply and emergency telephone directory.
• Completes all required organizational trainings in a timely fashion.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED), and specified training courses as mandated by state for certification, licensure, or registration are required.
• The selected candidate must embrace a positive team approach to patient care.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Certificates / Licensures / Registrations

• Must have successfully completed the dental radiography portion of DANB examination.
• Infection control certification upon hire preferred; on-the-job training provided with the understanding that DANB infection control certification will be obtained within the first 6 months of hire.

American with Disabilities Requirements

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case by case basis.

Fair Haven Community Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FHCHC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.