Dental Assistant

Job Summary
This position is to assist in the management of a large teaching dental office focusing on children and veterans, responsible for the day-to-day functions of the back office, assisting dental interns and volunteer Preceptor Dentists in providing free dental care under the guidance of Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton & Clinton Counties agency direction.
Agency Expectations of Employee

• Supports the Mission, Vision, and values of the agency
• Acts as a role model within and outside the agency
• Works in partnership with fellow team members
• Is sensitive to the cultural diversity of colleagues and clients served
• Is responsive to internal and external customers
• Represents Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton & Clinton Counties in a professional, conscientious manner at all times
• Demonstrates ongoing professional growth and knowledge through training and experience
• Forges mutually respectful partnerships with persons served and their families to assist them in gaining skills and confidence to address the problems and issues they face
• Sets limits and maintains the helping role of the practitioner/volunteer/intern and intervenes appropriately to meet the needs of the persons or family members served
• Believes in the capacity of people to grow and change

Role and Responsibilities
Sterilization and Maintenance

• Perform daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual maintenance of equipment with documentation
• Assist in sterilization daily following OSHA/CDC guidelines, ensuring proper sterilization techniques are used at all times
• Assist dental interns in proper PPE donning and doffing
• Assist in the management of supplies necessary to perform tasks- keep up on stock by anticipating supply needs and maintaining consistent availability of supplies and equipment within budget constraints
• Cultivate and manage collaborative relationships with vendors for donations and learning opportunities for dental interns
• Under the guise of the Clinic Manager, work with equipment companies to maintain functioning equipment, collaborate on repairs, and work with the Clinic Manager to plan for any downtime

Clinic Oversight

• Assist Preceptor Dentists with their roles and responsibilities in the clinic
• Assist dental interns in locating dental materials, setting up/breaking down rooms, rooming/dismissing patients, updating patient records, taking radiographs, and working chairside as needed
• Represent Catholic Charities in community collaborations relating to dental projects and initiatives
• Work in partnership with the Office Manager to fill the dental schedule and manage patient appointments
• Under the guise of the Clinic Manager, ensure that dental interns use behavior guidance techniques to provide a positive experience for all patients
• Schedule lunch-n-learns with the Clinic Manager as appropriate
• Manage numerous projects of varying sizes and complexity simultaneously
• Manage and report sharps injuries following clinic protocols
• Attend mobile dental events as requested
• Have working knowledge of agency policies and administrative procedures
• Have a plan for downtime when dental interns are absent
• Fill in for Office Manager as necessary

Product Management

• Assist the Clinic Manager in the management of supplies necessary to perform tasks- keep up on stock by anticipating supply needs and maintaining consistent availability of supplies and equipment within budget constraints
• Work with Clinic Manager to cultivate and manage collaborative relationships with vendors for donations and learning opportunities for dental interns
• Work with vendors to make recommendations on products and report on products requested by dental providers
• Utilize all collaborations and networking opportunities to acquire monetary and in-kind donations as able
• Under the guise of Clinic Manager, work with equipment companies to maintain functioning equipment, collaborate on repairs, and have a plan for any downtime
• Maintain and work within a budget for all expenditures
• Assist the Clinic Manager in developing a digital laboratory program in-house
• Work closely with Clinic Manager and vendors to provide a cutting-edge learning experience for dental interns

Qualifications and Education Requirements
Education: Will consider an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Experience : Experience in areas related to Eaglesoft dental software system, supply management and product ordering, laboratory/prosthodontics, and program planning including budget preferred. Prefer a desire to work with children, well suited for a lively, fast-paced atmosphere.

• Effective knowledge and practice of sterilization/OSHA/CDC/HIPAA guidelines
• Demonstrated ability to learn behavior management skills
• Ability to develop good working relationships with staff, volunteers, and all community members
• Knowledgeable and efficient with computers and dental programs including radiography
• Strong organizational skills for managing dental materials, supply, and ordering
• Diverse communication skills in regard to teaching and managing dental interns
• Awareness of social justice issues and DEI practice with staff and patients
• Obtain and maintain appropriate CE and certifications for licensure
• Positive attitude with strong work ethic and ability to multitask

Registration, licenses, certifications, or special training: RDA licensure recommended
Physical Demands : The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Emotionally able to work with information that may be traumatic in nature, as well as, work with individuals or families in crisis or experiencing trauma
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: use hands to finger, manipulate, handle, and feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear
• The employee is frequently required to stand or sit for long periods, occasionally required to walk in a rushed manner, and must lift and/or move up to 40 pounds as needed
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to sit and use computer workstation, including keyboard and visual display terminal for extended periods.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may involve frequent outbursts and crying from child patients
• Child patients may occasionally kick, bite, vomit, or punch
• Work in an environment with various degrees of discomfort
• Driving as needed throughout the day

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Exposure Risk
Under normal working conditions, HIGH exposure risk for blood-borne pathogens is present.
Additional Notes
This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions, and the essential requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change duties at any time.