Dental Assistant II

Who We Are:

Neighborhood Health Center is a non-profit organization local to Portland, OR serving underserved patients in the areas of primary care, internal medicine, dental services and more. Our patient-centered approach to care honors the unique needs and circumstances of each individual patient. NHC sees people, not problems, and recognizes that the time spent as a patient in a doctors office is only one factor in a persons overall health. Our leading edge, integrated clinical teams work in partnership with patients, their families, and the communities we serve to provide whole-person care, prevention, and ongoing support.

NHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate differences in the workplace and do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (sex), national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why work with us?

• We are a non-profit organization, passionate about providing the underserved population with medical and dental services across the greater Portland area, committed to making a difference daily.
• We offer our employees a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes 20 days of PTO (based on full time employment), 9 paid holidays, health/dental/vision insurance, quarterly wellness reimbursements, generous 401k retirement plan with employer match, employer paid disability insurance, EAP and life insurance.
• Our employees voted NHC a Top Workplace in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024!

Job Title: Dental Assistant I

Department: Dental

Reports To: Dental Clinic Manager

Work Type: On-Site

Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Schedule: Four 10-hour days/week (closed on weekends)

Language Differential: Eligible

SUMMARY

This position provides direct chairside support to Dentists, Hygienists and other Dental Assistants in the delivery of high-quality dental care and service at Neighborhood Health Center.

Essential Job Duties

• Provides patients and their families with instruction on oral hygiene, oral disease prevention and post-operative instructions, including anticipated next steps and appointment information.
• Sets up operatories and portable unit equipment and ensures that instruments, supplies, and equipment are immediately available for patient care.
• Obtains and enters patient information into electronic dental record, including chief complaint, health history, medications, allergies, vitals, patient pain level
• Provides direct clinical assistance to dentists and dental hygienists by performing 4-handed dentistry, including passing instruments for operative and oral surgery procedures and mixing filling and medicinal materials.
• Maintains proper infection control practices at all times, including the following areas: PPE, hand hygiene, handling and disposal of sharps and biohazard waste, instrument sterilization, and dental operatory disinfection.
• Communicates with Dentist of their daily schedule and patient information; communicate with dental team about schedule changes and informs providers of changes.
• Communicates expected wait times to patients, Dentists, and dental receptionist.
• Seats and positions patient in the operatory.
• Serves as anesthesia monitor for patients receiving care under nitrous oxide sedation.
• Assists in new employee training on specific tasks, as needed.
• Effectively cleans and/or sterilizes instruments and treatment rooms according to company policies and procedures and in accordance with State and Federal regulations for infection control.
• Charts findings and treatment plans under the Dentists or Dental Hygienists direction.
• Performs all duties necessary to support tele-dentistry.
• Performs receptionist functions on an as needed basis.
• Maintains punctual, regular, and predictable attendance.
• Complies with NHC standardized workflows, protocols, HIPAA, OSHA, and safety guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned.