Dental Assistant (On-Call) - ICC/Dental

Job Overview

COVID-19 vaccine and booster required.     

Haight Ashbury Medical Clinic (HAMC) at the Integrated Care Center (ICC) offers primary medical, dental, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health services guided by the principle that "Healthcare is a Right, Not a Privilege." HAFC/ICC provides compassionate, nonjudgmental care to patients who experience homelessness, poverty, and addiction. Our providers have specialized expertise in preventative health, acute and chronic conditions, treatment of infectious diseases, psychiatry, and addiction medicine.

Under the general supervision of a Dentist in a clinical setting, assists the dentist in providing dental treatment.

Key Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions:

• Assists in the provision of high-quality care within the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care for dental assistants.
• Prepares each operatory and patient for treatment.
• Takes and prepares radiographs using digital technology.
• Provides active chairside assistance to the Dentist and anticipates the provider’s needs.
• At the conclusion of patient care, assists the patient, clears the work site and prepares for the next patient.
• Monitors the flow of laboratory cases.
• Monitors and records sterilization cycles.
• Maintains and inventories supplies.
• Helps to manage patient flow in clinic.
• Follows proper infection control protocols for the practice and participates in the ongoing evaluation of Dental Program operations to assure the delivery of high-quality services that support the financial sustainability of the program.

Performance expectations—all Dental Assistants:

• Prepares and maintains dental instruments, supplies and equipment.
• Prepares the operatory for the patient visit.
• Seats patient in chair and explains procedures to be performed.
• Collects and records patient health histories.
• Drapes patient with protective linens and sets up instrument tray containing instruments, suction, gauze and other required supplies.
• Prepares dental materials—cements, amalgams, composites, impression materials, etc.
• Takes and prepares radiographs using conventional or digital technology and following proper radiation safety precautions.
• Assists with dental charting as appropriate.
• Assists in the prevention and management of dental emergencies.
• Manages the patient during dental procedures.
• Provides active chairside assistance.
• Transfers instruments as appropriate for four-handed dentistry; anticipates the dentist’s needs; Takes impressions for study casts, athletic mouth guards and custom tray.
• Performs laboratory procedures neatly and efficiently.
• Pours models with no bubbles, properly trim models, polish dental prostheses, make vac-u-press forms.
• At the conclusion of the procedure, assists patient, clears work site of instruments and other materials.
• Follows proper infection control protocols and prepares the operatory for the next patient.
• Monitors and documents the flow of laboratory cases.
• Maintains lab facility.
• Performs, monitors and records all sterilization activities.
• Maintains proper aseptic techniques necessary with dental equipment.
• Maintains and properly sterilizes instruments.
• Routinely cleans, disinfects and restocks operatories.
• Scans reception room for patients and helps to manage patient flow.
• Maintains and inventories dental supplies and reorders as necessary. tracks and verifies invoices.
• Cleans and sterilizes all instruments, helps to manage the dental office infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC and ADA standards. 
• Performs miscellaneous duties within the Dental Program as assigned.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• Work involves considerable exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, unpleasant odors and/or loud noises.
• Moderate physical activity.
• Requires handling average-weight objects up to 15-20 pounds, assisting with patients and standing and/or walking for most of the day.
• Will work with blood or blood-borne pathogens and will require OSHA training.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.

Education and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• CPR/BLS certification.
• Radiology certificate (X-ray license).
• On the job training or Dental Assistant program certificate.
• Infection control course certificate.

Additional, but not required:

• Coronal Polishing certificate.
• Pit and Fissure Sealants certificate.
• Fluent Spanish language skills is highly desired.

Tag: IND100.