Dental Assistant

This position will be posted for a minimum of 5 days

Coalition Mission

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for families, children, and individuals who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness throughout Colorado. 

The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being, and stability of those it serves.

Our Philosophy of Service

We believe all people have the right to adequate housing and health care. We work to remove the barriers that restrict access to these rights. Society benefits when adequate housing and healthcare are available to everyone.

We create lasting solutions to homelessness by:

1. Honoring the inherent dignity of those we serve, affirming their capabilities, and fostering their hope that a better life is possible;
2. Building strong, caring, and trauma-informed communities through the integration of housing, health care, and supportive services;
3. Advocating for social and racial equity, inclusion, and diversity and challenging the status quo in partnership with our workforce members and those we serve;
4. Achieving excellence through continuous quality assurance, innovation, and professional development;
5. Using resources judiciously and effectively.

Position Summary

The Dental Assistant I plays a crucial role in supporting dentists and hygienists in the care and treatment of clients within an integrated health care setting. This entry-level position involves assisting during various dental procedures, managing patient intake and records, and ensuring compliance with infection control protocols. Key responsibilities include preparing patients for treatment, maintaining a clean and organized work environment, and providing post-treatment care instructions. The Dental Assistant I also engages with patients to ensure their comfort and assists in managing medical emergencies as needed.

Duties/Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Assist the dentist and hygienist during a variety of treatment procedures within the scope of practice as defined by Colorado law
• Provide quality dental intake and records into the electronic health record (EHR), including blood pressure, smoking status, drug allergies, blood glucose, A1C, and risk assessments
• Maintain compliance with infection control protocols to include the cleaning, disinfecting, sterilization and re-circulation of instruments
• Ensure a clean and orderly work environment to include stocking, cleaning, disinfecting treatment rooms and maintaining equipment and work areas
• Complete protocols for opening and closing the clinic
• Perform primary chair-side assisting duties, including:
  • Assist in the prevention, examination, and treatment of oral disease.
  • Prepare charts and mount x-rays when the patient is seated
  • Set up instrument trays and prepare materials used in dental procedures
  • Keep the patient’s mouth free of debris and hand appropriate instruments to the dentist during procedures
  • Practice rubber dam techniques and sterilize equipment while maintaining infection control protocols
  • Prepare dental materials, cements, amalgams, composites, impression materials; prepare casting models and dies
  • Take, develop, mount, and label dental radiographs (x-rays)
  • Prepare outgoing lab cases and receive incoming lab cases
• Help patients feel comfortable before, during, and after procedures, including using low voice tones and providing reassurance
• Provide patients with post-treatment oral care instructions as prescribed by the dentist
• Dispose of contaminated biological and chemical waste according to OSHA procedures and protocols
• Assist the dentist in managing medical and dental emergencies, performing CPR if necessary
• Ensure timely & accurate recording of all clinical/non-clinical services, communications, and tasks in the EHR and other systems as required while maintaining complete up-to-date charts and any future upgrades as directed
• Performs other job duties as assigned

Education, Licensure and Certifications 

• AHA or ARC Basic Life Support Certification required within 30 days of employment
• Dental Radiology Certificate required within 30 days of employment
• High School Diploma or Equivalent Required
• Dental Assistant Program Certificate Preferred

Experience

None required

Job Competencies

• Ability to make sound decisions using available information while maintaining confidentiality (HIPAA protocols)
• Exhibit strong listening skills and show concern for patients, maintaining a friendly and polite demeanor under pressure
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences in a calm and professional manner
• Organize and prioritize multiple responsibilities simultaneously
• Knowledge of general dental procedures and instruments
• Understanding of OSHA regulations concerning infection control and dental clinic operations
• Awareness of homeless issues and sensitivity to underserved populations (preferred)
• Bilingual preferred
  
  

Physical Demands and Working Conditions
The physical demands and work environment are representative of those that must be met or encountered to successfully perform the essential functions of the job with or reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, CCH provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Company.

Physical Demands

Working Conditions

• Works primarily in a climate-controlled clinical environment.
• Frequent interpersonal interactions with clients, dentists, hygienists, and team members.
• Exposure to infectious diseases and use of dental/medical equipment.
• May require flexibility in scheduling, including variable start/end times or occasional weekends.

Coalition Benefits:

We offer a full suite of benefits for our eligible employees and their dependents. We’re proud to offer same-and opposite-sex domestic partner coverage.

• Health Insurance - HMO or PPO 
• Dental plans, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, supplemental life insurance
• Company paid basic life and AD&D insurance coverage, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) retirement savings matching,
• Extensive paid time-off, including holidays, sick leave, and vacation

The effective date for your benefits will be the first of the month following your date of hire.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others. CCH is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any characteristic protected by law.