High Country Community Health
Dental Assistant
High Country Community Health, Newland, North Carolina, United States, 28657
Dental Assistant
High Country Community Health
Location Newland, NC
Job Summary Provide quality care and services to patients by assisting dentists, hygienists, and other staff in a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. Enhance patient flow and efficiency by preparing patients, handling x-rays, managing instruments, and ensuring infection control.
Duties and Responsibilities
Prepares treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols
Prepares patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping the patient
Ensures all patients enjoy a positive experience and are treated with care and compassion
Asks about the patient’s medical history and pre/post‑op vitals (blood pressure, pulse, glucose) as necessary
Enters and updates patient medical history, reconciling all medications
Informs patients of planned treatment, obtains consents, and provides pre‑ and post‑operative instructions
Assists the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures
Assists the hygienist in patient treatment, including seating, chart examination, and recording results
Communicates patient concerns to the dentist/hygienist
Documents dental care services by charting in patient records, new and existing treatment
Provides post‑operative oral care instructions and instructions for temporary restorations or removable appliances
Counsels patients on preventative dental care and nutrition
Answers patient and employee questions and requests
Provides instrumentation by sterilizing and delivering instruments, positioning for access, suctioning, and passing instruments
Maintains moisture by using suction system
Fabricates temporary restorations and cleans, polishes removable appliances
Takes and develops dental radiographs (x‑rays)
Creates impressions of teeth for study casts or lab tasks under the dentist’s direction
Performs office management tasks: referrals, school/work notes, scheduling appointments, verifying benefits, etc.
Maintains patient confidentiality and protects operations by safeguarding information
Implements operatory and instrument infection control: sterilizing instruments and equipment for each patient
Ensures patient records are accurate and HIPAA compliant
Assists with billing and collection, ensuring timely and accurate submission
Builds favorable working relationships with all clinic staff and personnel
Represents the organization professionally at all times
Maintains a safe and clean work environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations
Adheres to infection‑control policies and protocols to protect patients and employees
Performs preventative maintenance of dental equipment, follows manufacturer instructions, and requests repairs when needed
Manages inventory of dental supplies: checks stock, anticipates needs, places orders, verifies receipt
Conserves resources by using equipment and supplies efficiently
Manages time effectively to prepare for clinic operations
Maintains professional and technical knowledge through training and required meetings
Travels to other HCCH sites for clinic coverage when needed
Performs other tasks as requested by the dentist or supervisor
Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent
Radiation safety certification or successful completion of a radiation safety course
Current dental assisting license or certification; National Certified or Registered Dental Assistant credentials preferred
CPR certification for Health Care Providers (required)
Current vaccination record meeting ACIP Healthcare Workers recommendations
Strong time‑management skills
Ability to travel to off‑site meetings
Environmental Working Conditions
Usual working environment in an outpatient primary care office
Occasional pressure due to multiple phone calls and patient scheduling
Exposure to blood products, body fluids, cleaning solutions, and medications
Physical and Mental Requirements
Hearing adequate for in‑person and telephone communication; use of stethoscope required
Clear verbal communication with patients in person and over the telephone
Adequate visual acuity to perform duties; read information from print and screens
Frequent lifting and carrying items up to 30 pounds; assistance of patients when required
Manual dexterity and ability to perform repetitive hand movements, bending, reaching, standing, walking, squatting, and sitting
Exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids
Seniority Level Entry level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Health Care Provider
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Location Newland, NC
Job Summary Provide quality care and services to patients by assisting dentists, hygienists, and other staff in a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. Enhance patient flow and efficiency by preparing patients, handling x-rays, managing instruments, and ensuring infection control.
Duties and Responsibilities
Prepares treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols
Prepares patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping the patient
Ensures all patients enjoy a positive experience and are treated with care and compassion
Asks about the patient’s medical history and pre/post‑op vitals (blood pressure, pulse, glucose) as necessary
Enters and updates patient medical history, reconciling all medications
Informs patients of planned treatment, obtains consents, and provides pre‑ and post‑operative instructions
Assists the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures
Assists the hygienist in patient treatment, including seating, chart examination, and recording results
Communicates patient concerns to the dentist/hygienist
Documents dental care services by charting in patient records, new and existing treatment
Provides post‑operative oral care instructions and instructions for temporary restorations or removable appliances
Counsels patients on preventative dental care and nutrition
Answers patient and employee questions and requests
Provides instrumentation by sterilizing and delivering instruments, positioning for access, suctioning, and passing instruments
Maintains moisture by using suction system
Fabricates temporary restorations and cleans, polishes removable appliances
Takes and develops dental radiographs (x‑rays)
Creates impressions of teeth for study casts or lab tasks under the dentist’s direction
Performs office management tasks: referrals, school/work notes, scheduling appointments, verifying benefits, etc.
Maintains patient confidentiality and protects operations by safeguarding information
Implements operatory and instrument infection control: sterilizing instruments and equipment for each patient
Ensures patient records are accurate and HIPAA compliant
Assists with billing and collection, ensuring timely and accurate submission
Builds favorable working relationships with all clinic staff and personnel
Represents the organization professionally at all times
Maintains a safe and clean work environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations
Adheres to infection‑control policies and protocols to protect patients and employees
Performs preventative maintenance of dental equipment, follows manufacturer instructions, and requests repairs when needed
Manages inventory of dental supplies: checks stock, anticipates needs, places orders, verifies receipt
Conserves resources by using equipment and supplies efficiently
Manages time effectively to prepare for clinic operations
Maintains professional and technical knowledge through training and required meetings
Travels to other HCCH sites for clinic coverage when needed
Performs other tasks as requested by the dentist or supervisor
Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent
Radiation safety certification or successful completion of a radiation safety course
Current dental assisting license or certification; National Certified or Registered Dental Assistant credentials preferred
CPR certification for Health Care Providers (required)
Current vaccination record meeting ACIP Healthcare Workers recommendations
Strong time‑management skills
Ability to travel to off‑site meetings
Environmental Working Conditions
Usual working environment in an outpatient primary care office
Occasional pressure due to multiple phone calls and patient scheduling
Exposure to blood products, body fluids, cleaning solutions, and medications
Physical and Mental Requirements
Hearing adequate for in‑person and telephone communication; use of stethoscope required
Clear verbal communication with patients in person and over the telephone
Adequate visual acuity to perform duties; read information from print and screens
Frequent lifting and carrying items up to 30 pounds; assistance of patients when required
Manual dexterity and ability to perform repetitive hand movements, bending, reaching, standing, walking, squatting, and sitting
Exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids
Seniority Level Entry level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Health Care Provider
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