[ref. b6189924] Dental Assistant

As a federally qualified health center, we provide care without regard to health insurance or a patient’s ability to pay. We also strive to improve our Patient Centered Medical Home model to ensure all patients get the right high-quality care, at the right place and the right time.

Must work diligently to assure that services are accessible, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective. Must be committed to eliminating barriers to care that is centered on the needs and convenience of patients above all other factors.

The Healthy Smiles Student Loan Repayment Program provides educational loan repayment to qualified dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants in exchange for a service obligation to practice full-time at dental clinics located in medically underserved areas.

• Dentists receive up to $300,000 for a 3-year service obligation
• Hygienists receive up to $50,000 for a 2-year service obligation
• Dental assistants receive up to $20,000 for a 2-year service obligation

Practitioner Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a United States citizen or permanent resident.
• Must be licensed to practice in Tennessee (dentists/hygienists).
• Must agree to use the Tennessee Dental Repayment Incentive Program funds only to repay qualifying educational loans.
• Must have no obligation for health professional services and have not breached a health professional contract.
• Must agree to pay damages for breach of service.
• Must not have a judgment lien against his/her property for a debt to the United States, any federal debt written off as non-collectible, or any federal service or payment obligation waived.
• Must be willing to commit to a service agreement contract for a minimum of three (3) years for dentists, and two (2) years for hygienists and assistants.
• Must provide services in a rural or medically underserved area of Tennessee.
• Must work full-time.

• One year work experience as a Dental Assistant is preferred.
• Maintain current certification and TN license.
• Good computer, spelling, filing and other general office skills
• Good basic reading, writing and math skills
• Good basic technical knowledge and skills related to clinical duties
• Ability to speak clearly and to use tact, discretion and sensitivity with patients
• Ability to deal courteously and efficiently with providers, referral sources and other business representatives.
• Ability to use discretion in handling confidential information
• Commitment to UNHS vision.

• Maintains responsibility and obligation primarily to the dental practitioner to whom he/she is assigned.
• Assures that all instruments, charts, DVR's and radiographs are available in the operatory prior to the arrival of the patient.
• Provides proper instruments, at the correct time, in proper sequence for any given treatment procedure.
• Prepares dental materials correctly, as needed, and in an amount sufficient to meet the needs of the procedure but not so much as to allow wasting of materials.
• Anticipates the sequence of dental procedures and is prepared in advance of them so that the dentist may work as efficiently as possible.
• Maintains a clean oral working area.

• Demonstrates good personal oral hygiene (healthy gums, clean teeth) as an example to the patients.
• Questions each patient to ascertain home care status, either during breaks in the treatment or prior to the dentist's arrival.
• Whenever possible, instructs patients in techniques of flossing, brushing, and disclosing to help remedy any problems detected in 2b

• All chairside clean‑up procedures are completed before any patient is seated.
• Any portions of the dental chair exposed to saliva or the oral cavity are disinfected before any patient is seated.
• Cleans and sterilizes instruments.
• Hand washing will take place in the presence of every patient.

• The date of the health history review and any changes are entered on the treatment page and initialed by the assistant.
• All exam findings and treatments rendered are recorded completely and accurately in the patient's chart.
• Clinical information entered on the DVR's is completed by the dental assistant. Patients are dismissed with necessary records complete.

• Accepts delegation of only those duties within personal skill levels.
• Exposes X‑ray films suitable for diagnostic purposes.
• Develops, mounts, and labels films so as to assure their use in diagnosis.
• Pours and trims models, fabricates trays and performs other lab duties.

• Performs assigned housekeeping' and maintains duty on required date and initials assignment
• Organizes and cleans lab and staff room on assigned date.
• Performs duties requested by practitioner to whom the assistant is assigned.

• Maintains a warm and professional demeanor.
• Maintains cultural sensitivity to a diverse customer and team composition.
• Acts as a team member.
• Takes initiative in assisting other team members during lulls in one’s assigned duties.
• Understands and complies with JCAHO patient safety standards including read-back, repeat orders, abbreviation use, etc.
• Understands and complies with MSDS and UNHS policies.
• Understands and complies with OSHA’s Bloodborn Pathogen Standard and other OSHA safety measures.
• Understands and complies with infection-control precautions.
• Understands and complies with HIPAA and patient confidentiality standards.
• Understands and applies knowledge of age appropriate care.
• Keeps abreast of insurance and Tenn Care information as it affects services.
• Participates in continuing education and staff meetings and committees as requested.
• Related duties as assigned.

DECISION-MAKING: Moderate supervision to minimal with competency and experience

• Report to work at location as assigned
• Requires continual movement with limited lifting
• Have sufficient manual dexterity to operate telephone system, computer keyboard, copier, fax or other office or medical equipment
• Be sufficiently mobile (standing and reaching) to access and utilize required equipment, supplies and resource material with reasonable accommodation
• Possess sufficient vision and hearing acuity to see and hear callers, team members and patients with reasonable accommodation.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None