Expanded Function Dental Assistant

Heart City Health is looking for an Expanded Function Dental Assistant! This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our communities. As a valued member of our dental team, you will play an important role in delivering exceptional patient care while working alongside compassionate and talented professionals. We are committed to supporting your growth, fostering a collaborative environment, and ensuring you have the tools and resources needed to succeed. We look forward to learning more about you and exploring how your skills and passion for patient care can contribute to our team.

Position Summary:

The dental assistant provides quality care and services to patients by assisting dentists and other staff in a variety of patient care, office and laboratory duties.

Affect the efficiency and productivity of patient flow through timely, accurate, and professional preparation of patients and patient information, including taking and processing x-rays.

Primary Accountabilities:

Affect favorable billing and collection outcomes.

Develop favorable relationships with all patients.

Establish favorable working relationships with all staff members associated with clinic operations, including Patient Services Reps (PSR)), dental hygienists, dentists, and related staff.

Essential Functions:

Chair-side Assistance:

Greets and seats patients, making them as comfortable as possible

Checks every patient’s medical history for alerts, allergies and medications

Verifies procedure to be performed with patient; investigates further if a toothache is the chief complaint

Prepares proper procedural tray; associated instruments and materials

Prepares and maintains dental instruments (sterilize), rooms (sterilize), supplies and equipment (traps cleaned weekly)

Manages patient during dental procedures keeping them comfortable with mouths clean and dry for dentist

Transfers instruments to the dentist as required or requested

Places rubber dams as needed

Prepares dental materials, cements, amalgams, composites, impression materials, etc.

Documents patient chart as necessary regarding treatment necessary and/or already performed

Prevents and manages dental medical emergencies

Checks and maintains inventory; communicates needs for ordering purposes

Gives patients post op instructions as indicated

Enters complete and accurate chart notes documenting each patient’s visit

Prints out and delivers accurate route slips to front desk for patient check-out

Keeps rooms stocked with supplies and maintains orderliness

Other duties as assigned

Expanded Clinical Assistance:

Takes dental radiographs

Assists hygienist as needed (coronal polishing and topical fluoride application if additional training has been completed)

Takes preliminary dental impressions and bite registrations for crowns

Fabricates temporary crowns

Applies pit and fissure sealants

Fits and places temporary crowns

Removes excess cement from fabricated restorations

Places amalgams/composites as requested by dentist

Business Office Assistance:

Schedules appointments and makes confirmation calls as needed using proper telephone etiquette

Pulls and/or files patient charts as needed

Answers phones as needed

Completes no-show letters weekly

Sends emails including radiographs to referral sources weekly

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Excellent communication skills; active listening as well as written and oral comprehension/communication skills; Gives full attention to what individuals are saying, understands the point being made, asks appropriate questions to gain better knowledge of situation(s) and repeats information to ensure understanding.

Excellent customer service skills; actively seeks ways to assist individuals within the scope of assigned duties

Good computer skills; Windows, Word and Excel specifically; Dentrix exposure preferred

Good time management skills; self evaluates the use of time and understands how others may be affected

Cultural diversity awareness and skills; respects all people regardless of race, nationality or social standing

Ability to work independently (self-motivating) and as part of a team

Ability to multi-task; comfortable in a fast-paced environment

Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, providers, managers, patients and vendors

Problem sensitivity skills; empathetic/understanding

Deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills

Organized and detail-oriented

Bilingual (English/Spanish) language skills preferred

Education, Experience and Licensure:

Must have an Expanded Functions certification.

Minimum of 1-2 years experience as an expanded duties dental assistant

Must have a current Indiana x-ray license

Must have a current CPR card

N2O2 Certificate

Physical Demands:

May sit and/or stand for long periods of time

Must be able to see and hear in normal range with or without correction device(s)

Dexterity and hand to eye coordination as normally associated with operating office equipment, computers and telephones

Work Environment:

Professional, fast-pace office work environment

May be exposed to bodily fluid and bloodborne pathogens risking infectious disease exposure

We’re proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and overall well-being, including:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage

A strong commitment to work-life balance — enjoy weekends off

Employer-paid life insurance for added peace of mind

Short-term and long-term disability coverage

Optional Aflac supplemental insurance plans

403(b) retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support and resources

Employee discount programs to help you save on everyday purchases

This package reflects our commitment to taking care of our team so you can focus on doing meaningful work and thriving both inside and outside of work.