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Position Purpose
This role supports dental care by preparing treatment rooms, assisting patients, managing instruments, and performing procedures. It also involves coordinating community outreach programs and promoting the dental services offered by the organization to underserved populations. This staff member is also responsible for reviewing patient accounts ensuring for accuracy; maintaining appearance and order of dental office, patient scheduling and patient management; collecting, posting and managing accounts for dental payments; verification of insurances to ensure coverage of our patient base by working with clinical and administrative staff, insurance companies and referral sources. The role may also require participation in quality improvement (QI) activities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Attendance during the normal work hours is an essential function of the job to ensure work goals are met and customers are served.Â
- Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
Dental Assistant
- Patient Support:
- Ensure patients are comfortable in the dental chair.
- Take medical histories, vital signs (e.g., blood pressure), and review oral care instructions with patients before and after treatment.
- Provide clear explanations to patients about the procedures and post-treatment care.
- Clinical Assistance:
- Assist the dentist during procedures by handing instruments, holding equipment like suction hoses and curing lights, and maintaining a sterile field.
- Perform certified tasks such as coronal polishing, fluoride application, placing temporary fillings, and other preventive dental care procedures under supervision.
- Radiographs & Lab Tasks:
- Position and operate the X-ray machine to take clear dental radiographs, ensuring safety by using protective aprons for patients.
- Evaluate the diagnostic quality of radiographs and assist in lab tasks such as preparing materials for impressions, temporary crowns, and other dental appliances.
- Sterilization & Equipment:
- Sterilize instruments and ensure proper infection control protocols are followed.
- Maintain and set up dental equipment, ensuring all instruments are properly sterilized and treatment rooms are prepared for procedures.
- Patient Records & Billing:
- Keep accurate, up-to-date records of dental treatments and patient history.
- Schedule patient appointments, handle patient communications, and assist with billing and payment collection as required.
- Compliance:
- Adhere to HIPAA regulations, always maintaining patient confidentiality.
- Follow OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standards and other infection control guidelines to ensure a safe environment for both patients and staff.
Patient Services
- Opening and closing the dental office according to office protocol.
- Greet, welcome and check in patients.
- Check patient back up list to try to fill in cancellation and no-show appointment times.
- Collect payment from patients at the time of treatment and attempt to collect all outstanding balances.
- Make follow-up appointments as needed.
- Collect and verify all information needed to set up patients for Sliding Fee Program. Update information annually or as deemed necessary based on SFS policy.
- Evaluates patient’s financial status and reports status of delinquent accounts.
- Works with the patient to guide them through all the necessary steps that their insurance company requires for approval.
- Verifies insurance eligibility with Medicaid and private insurance companies. Sliding Fee status should be verified at each visit.
- Addresses claim denials and questions from third parties.
- Maintains a knowledge base of insurance trends and learn new policy changes within the dental industry.
- Verifies patient treatment plans with clinical staff prior to submission to the insurance company to ensure proper patient coverage.
- Provides excellent customer service and maintains a professional demeanor when working with insurance companies.
- Gathers and accurately records dental, medical, and insurance information from patients.
- Tracks cases and referrals to and from other doctors.
- Updates insurance information on all patients.
- Submits treatment plans for predetermination of benefits and/or prior authorizations.
- Organizes supporting materials for claim forms, such as radiographs or written narratives.
- Document coverage and prior authorization information in Billing Note.
- Other duties as assigned.
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Qualifications
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: High School diploma or GED and graduation from an accredited dental assisting program or completed necessary on-the-job training for DA I designation.
Bilingual preferred.
SKILLS/ABILITIES:
Certified to perform a range of dental assisting duties, including taking X-rays, sterilizing equipment, and assisting with restorative and surgical procedures.
Strong verbal communication skills to educate and assist patients effectively.
Ability to collaborate with dentists and the dental team to provide high-quality care.
Knowledge of sterilization procedures and adherence to OSHA standards for infection control.
Working Environment
Occasionally exposed to chemicals, fumes, or airborne particles. Comfortable working in a clinical environment with patient interaction.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.
Physical Requirements
Regularly required to sit for extended periods, use hands/fingers for handling instruments, and assist patients. Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Â
Direct Reports
None
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