1st Choice is seeking a compassionate and skilled Dental Assistant to join our team and provide vital health services to our valued Government Client. Fluency in both English and Spanish is preferred.

Role Summary:

This position is providing dental assistance to Dentists who provide basic dentistry to clients. Interactions include contact with patients and the families of patients, the clinic dentist, the clinic dental hygienists and staff of public and private agencies and are for the purpose of scheduling/confirming appointments, explaining and providing dental service to the patient and obtaining or giving facts. In this role the successful candidate will provide immediate and short-term public service and assistance on a daily, recurring basis to those patients served.

Responsibilities:

• Schedules patients for dental examinations and treatment.
• Greets and prepares patients for treatment.
• Places, exposes and processes intra-oral radiographs.
• Prepares equipment and material for use by dentist - e.g., lays out necessary instruments, mixes filling materials.
• Provides assistance to dentist during chair-side dentistry - e.g., passes instruments and medications to dentist, keeps treatment area clear in patient's mouth.
• Monitors and implements effective infection control techniques and hazardous materials guidelines.
• Counsels patients in oral hygiene, nutrition and/or post-operative care.
• May relay instructions to patient from dentist for post-treatment care.
• Cleans and sterilizes instruments and equipment.
• Maintains records of examinations and treatments.
• Maintains dental supplies in clinic; keeps inventory and orders supplies as necessary.
• Performs related duties as required.

Skills Required:

• Must have knowledge of the basic methods and procedures required to assist a dentist in the performance of intra-oral treatment and the implementation of appropriate infection control procedures; and, the skill to set up, operate and adjust the necessary dental equipment and appropriate infection control procedures.
• Take direction from dentist who will provide continuing or individual assignments by directing what is to be done, and how and when it is to be accomplished, with additional definite instructions for new, difficult or unusual dental situations.
• Work involves light physical effort - e.g., long periods of standing, and is performed in a clinic setting with some discomfort or unpleasantness imposed by the nature of the work.
• Responsible observance of special safety precautions and intermittent use of special equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, goggles or protective clothing) to protect from exposure to infection, contagious disease and radiation.

Qualifications:

• Experience: One (1) year of experience as a Dental Assistant.
• Education: Completion of high school or High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of Maryland and proof of enrollment or completion of a Dental Assistant Program approved by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners is required.
• Certification: Certificate Radiation Technology and Level III CPR is preferred, but must be acquired within an agreed upon time from date of employment.
• License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant's state of residence.
• Fluency in both English and Spanish is preferred.