What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dental Assistant Lead position at DotHouse Health?
Description
DOTHOUSE MISSION STATEMENT
To be an essential resource for our community in its efforts to achieve the highest levels of health, well-being, and quality of life for its residents. To provide affordable, accessible, and exceptional health care and other essential services in an environment that respects our consumers, our staff, and our diverse community. To be a leading force for change in the health, economic, and social status of our community.
SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Director of Oral Health, the Dental Assistant Lead is responsible for overseeing the daily operations and management of Dental Assistants as well as assisting the Dentist in the delivery of dental patient care of pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients. This is achieved by assisting with chair-side procedures, including radiology, sterilization, infection control, medical records, maintenance, and inventory.
GENERAL CLINICAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES AS DENTAL ASSISTANT:
1. Enters and maintains dental charting, updates medical history and verifies patient information.
2. Prepares patient for dental treatment by seating patient in chair and explaining procedures to be performed.
3. Takes digital x-rays.
4. Provides active chair side assistance-utilizes four handed dentistry and anticipates provider’s needs.
5. Maintains dental assistant clerical workspace.
6. Stocks and maintains assigned operatory.
7. Screens emergency patients, triages according to department procedures.
8. Responds to questions and issues regarding patients’ concerns.
9. At conclusion of a procedure: assists patient; clears work site of instruments and other materials; follows proper infection control protocols, prepares for next patient and sterilizes instruments when needed.
10. Maintains and expands current level of dental assistant skill and knowledge by periodically attending continuing education programs.
11. Monitors denture and crown lab case logs.
12. Confirms patient appointments when assigned.
13. Perform other tasks as required.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES AS LEAD:
1. Assists the Director of Oral Health with smooth operation of clinical sessions by ensuring dental assistants complete their daily tasks.
2. Manages and updates the Dental Assistant schedule, in accordance with the daily dentist schedule.
3. Assists in maintaining survey compliance, quality assurance, and staff development activities, as assigned; and attends DHH compliance and safety committee meetings with Director of Oral Health.
4. Attends BMC quarterly meetings to stay informed on quality assurance/quality improvement, employee health, infection control, and safety, and assists in communication to dental assistant staff.
5. Assists in the creation and implementation of dental assisting policies and procedures.
6. Participates in the recruitment of Dental Assistants, ensuring they reflect the diverse community and patients served by DotHouse Health.
7. Responsible for the onboarding, training, and performance management of all Dental Assistants.
8. Acts as a primary resource for dental assisting staff, offering ongoing training and support to maintain high morale and effective performance.
9. Works with the Director of Oral Health to ensure the ongoing maintenance of dental assistant competencies, including BMC sterilization and infection control competency.
10. Collaborates with the Director of Oral Health to ensure all regulatory, licensure, and accreditation standards related to dental assisting are met. Assists in communicating any changes to the Dental Assistant staff.
11. Monitors, maintains, and tracks the inventory of dental supplies, and supports the Director of Oral Health with receiving and distribution processes.
12. Reports maintenance issues, including dental equipment and instruments, to the Specialty Practice Manager.
13. Oversees the recordkeeping and maintenance of sterilization machines and Hydrim daily, ensuring staff adherence to OSHA regulations, including conducting biological spore testing on a daily basis.
14. Monitors suction line maintenance logs for all dental rooms and performs quarterly waterline testing.
15. Performs other duties as needed to support the dental clinic’s operations.
Requirements
REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:
Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Successfully complete a Dental Assisting program of not less than one year in an accredited Dental Assistant program or recognized by: the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) OR New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) OR Meets the standards of the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Experience:
- Minimum of 3 years of clinical dentistry experience.
- Minimum of 1-year supervisory experience.
Licensure/Certification: Current registration with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry
- Current BLS/CPR certification
- X-Ray Certification
Software/Hardware: Must be proficient and have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.), Experience with Dentrix preferred.
