Dental Assistant

Job description

At Wood River Health we appreciate the dedication and hard work of our staff. If you are looking for a great work environment with work/life balance and fantastic benefits, this is the place! We have an opportunity for full time, benefit eligible, Dental Assistant to join our clinical team. As a Dental Assistant you are an integral part of providing high-quality care to our patients. We also have opportunity for part time and per diem schedules.
We are proud to offer an outstanding benefits package, including generous paid time off, health insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching contributions, tuition assistance, and resources that promote work/life balance and employee well-being.
Position Summary
The duties of the Dental Assistant are among the most diverse and comprehensive in the dental department. Many tasks performed require both interpersonal and technical skills. The Dental Assistant maintains a professional office environment and promotes a positive image for Wood River Health. Essential duties include:
• Assisting the dentist during a variety of operative, endodontic, prosthodontics, and surgical procedures using four-handed techniques.
• Positioning and exposing digital radiography sensors.
• Taking impressions of patients’ teeth for cast stone models.
• Reviewing and recording patient’s medical history.
• Taking and recording patient’s vital signs, including blood pressure and pulse.
• Developing and maintaining the standards of infection control, including disinfecting operatory surfaces and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment.
• Completing maintenance duties, such as cleaning autoclaves, changing solutions, performing spore tests, etc.
• Monitoring supply levels in each operatory and ordering when appropriate.
• Helping patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatment.
• Providing patients with post-visit instructions for oral care following treatment procedures such as fillings, dentures, extractions, etc.
• Teaching patients’ appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (e.g. brushing, flossing, nutritional counseling, fluoride supplementation).
• Scanning and abstracting documents into electronic health and dental records.
• Becoming proficient with the navigation of NextGen Electronic Practice Manager, Electronic Health Record, and Electronic Dental Record.
• Processing the release of patient information requests according to HIPAA guidelines.
• Performing various clerical support functions required for the daily operations of the Dental Department.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all matters.
• Operate within the scope of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act to safeguard the privacy of protected patient health information.
• Enliven and support the mission, vision, and values of Wood River Health.
• Adhere to organizational policies and procedures.
• Adhere to the Wood River Health Compliance Program Standards.
• Performing other duties as assigned to meet business needs.

The ideal candidate will have:
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Certification in Radiation Health and Safety, required
• Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), preferred
• Minimum of one year dental office experience, preferred.
• Electronic Dental Records experience, preferred.

WORK ARRANGEMENT:
This position is fully onsite. The employee must be able and willing to work at both the Hope Valley, Westerly, and Block Island locations as business needs require. Work assignments may be scheduled at either site on a temporary, regular, or rotating basis.
Wood River Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal law.