Licensed Dental Assistant

Mary's Center is committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within our organization and the communities we serve. We embrace diversity of experiences, ideas, and individuals, and seek to bring a diverse group of candidates to the table.

Important Note: Mary's Center is mandating the COVID-19 vaccine + booster for all staff.

The Licensed Dental Assistant I (LDA I) assists the dentist and clinic in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions, including setting up and cleaning dental unit for timely turnover. The Dental Assistant will also be responsible for providing appropriate oral health information to Mary's Center participants and staff, including outreach events.

Reportability

This position will report directly to the Dental Operations Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Preparation and maintenance of dental instruments, supplies and equipment
• Collection and recording of patient health histories so the dental records accurately and completely reflect the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided
• Patient management during dental procedures
• Instrument transfer
• Dental procedure isolation techniques
• Preparation of dental materials, cements, amalgam, composite, impression materials, etc.
• Dental charting
• Prevention and management of dental medical emergencies and assistance in the oral health management of all clinic patients.
• Inventory control and management
• Taking dental x-rays
• Applying topical fluoride treatments
• Taking impressions and bite registrations
• Assisting in the maintenance of all Oral Health Department areas in compliance with department directives and policies as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control, and safety issues
• Receiving and placing necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business, and patient care of the Oral Health Department
• Assisting with various clinical and administrative functions of the center as appropriate and time permits
• Ensuring the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Oral Health Department directive and center policy as well as state federal regulations(s)
• Complying in full with the center's Exposure Control Plan.
• Traveling when necessary to meet operational needs
• As directed by a supervisor, performing other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives
• Bearing responsibility for personal compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing the practice of dental hygiene and the clinical provision of dental hygiene services as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, workplace safety, public health and confidentiality.
• Assisting the providers in the electronic transfer of data from paper to digital: scanning, data transfer, etc.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience - Must have current CPR (BLS) certification, DANB certification, and x-ray licensure. Must be licensed or license in progress in DC and/or Maryland.

Physical Demands - Regularly required to sit; frequently required to reach with hands and arms, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear; must be able to lift objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

Work Environment - Mostly in a dental site with moderate to loud noise level.

Full-time Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package, including medical, dental & vision insurance, plus retirement options
• 25 days of paid time off (PTO) annually, in addition to 10 paid holidays, plus 5 educational days to attend training and conferences
• 4 days per week/10 hour shifts
• $2000/year tuition reimbursement to attend training and conferences
• WMATA metro/bus subsidy