Dental Assistant

Job Location: Heart of Florida Health Center MAIN - Ocala, FL 34470

Position Type: Full Time

Entry‑level position for the dental assistant role. Responsible for performing all delegable clinical dental assisting duties listed in Florida Statutes 466 and Administrative Rules 64B-5, including but not limited to screening and preparing patients for treatment, assisting hygienist/dentists in treating patients, educating patients, and processing instruments. Adheres to HIPAA, CDC, and OSHA standards. Team members are involved in continual training.

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Successful completion of an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Certificate (EFDA) Training course from an accredited Dental Assistant school or training program, including dental radiology, is required.
• Current BLS certificate from an accredited AHA or American Red Cross provider.
• Nitrous oxide certification is preferred or willing to obtain within 12 months of hire.
• Must have a valid Florida Driver’s license and have a reliable form of transportation.
• Experience working with children is a plus.
• Experience dealing with underserved populations and cultural competency is a plus.
• Experience working with children and comfortable working with patients of all ages preferred or willing to train.
• Experience dealing with underserved populations and ability to relate to patients of all religions, ethnical and cultural backgrounds preferred.
• Good communication skills: must have good people skills and communicate following the HFHC Core Values.
• Emotional intelligence and adaptability: must be able to stay positive in stressful situations and deal professionally with unhappy, fearful, and confrontational individuals.
• Adherence to policy and procedures: must have a good working knowledge of dental terminology, dental policies and procedures, oral health issues, or be willing to train. Follow the organizational and department professional code of conduct.
• Time management skills: must be able to organize and prioritize workload.
• Competent in general office skills such as computers (Microsoft Office products, EHR eCW), faxes, telephones, and copy machines.
• Teamwork: must be team‑oriented and maintain an effective and positive professional working relationship with all clinical and nonclinical staff.
• Proactive attitude: willing to train in additional duties and expanded functions to grow professionally within the organization.
• Flexibility and attendance: must be able to work flexible hours and at various sites as needed or assigned by the Dental Practice Manager and COO.
• Bilingual a plus:
  Spanish speaker preferred.

• Chairside dental assisting tasks as allowed by the Florida Statutes and Administrative Rules and the following: identify patients using double identifiers (name and birth date); document patients’ chief complaints; collect and record medical history, medications, surgeries, hospitalizations, and social/dental history; obtain and record vitals (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, glucose when applicable, height, weight); operate dental X‑ray equipment and take diagnostic X‑rays;
  
  handle dental instruments, cleaning, oiling, bagging, sterilization/disinfection, and re‑circulation following OSHA and CDC standards; assist in educating patients and parents/guardians regarding oral hygiene, treatment options and plans; assist the dentist through 4‑handed dentistry, suction, handling materials, and transferring instruments; perform preventative dental treatment such as crown polishing, flossing, sealant, and fluoride placement as delegated; perform operatory disinfection before and after procedures;
  
  record accurate charting of existing restorations and new caries; record dictated charting for patients >18 years of age; assist in completion of exam and procedure documentation and close procedure codes; complete necessary paperwork/data entry into eCW medical record; assist in patient scheduling; perform follow‑up phone calls; be flexible with providers and dental assistants; present treatment plans and obtain signatures; provide patient education including postoperative instructions;
  
  prepare, scan, and fax referrals, medical clearance, and other forms; proactively participate in patient care to ensure office efficiency; assist with maintenance of office inventory, dental equipment and logs as instructed; may be required to travel to other HFHC locations; assist with other clinical and office duties assigned by supervising dentist, manager, or COO.

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to stand or sit chairside for extended periods of time.
• Must have manual dexterity to handle specialized dental equipment.
• Must have clear vision to inspect instruments for cleanliness, residue or defects.