Dental Assistant- Per Diem

Who We Are:

Since 1985, BHCHP’s mission has been to ensure unconditionally equitable and dignified access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in greater Boston. Over 10,000 homeless individuals are cared for by Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program each year. We are committed to ensuring that every one of these individuals has access to comprehensive health care, from preventative dental care to cancer treatment. Our clinicians, case managers, and behavioral health professionals work in more than 30 locations to serve some of our community’s most vulnerable—and most resilient—citizens.

From our earliest days as a program, we have always sought to do work that is transformational: recognizing our shared humanity; centering dignity, compassion, mutual respect and supporting the right of every individual to access the highest levels of health care and every staff member to reach their fullest potential. We continue to be committed to building bridges and breaking down barriers, including systemic racism which harms us all. We provide community-based health care services that are compassionate, dignified, and culturally appropriate, incorporating social determinants of health, with the goal of breaking down the physical and systemic barriers that our patients face.

Bilingual, Bicultural, LGBTQIA identifying, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about working at BHCHP, watch our video Please Click Here.

Job Summary:

Hours: Per Diem, as needed (shifts include Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 7am-3:30 pm, and Thursdays 11am-7:30 pm; every Saturday from 8am-12pm )

The Dental Team offers a variety of dental procedures and services for homeless adults. As the Dental Assistant you will support the dental team in a variety of functions, ensuring that our patients receive the highest level of care. In this role, you must ensure that all patients enjoy a positive experience and are treated with the care and compassion expected, establish, and maintain good professional work relationships with all team members and uphold and consistently always represent the values and the mission of the organization.

Responsibilities:

-Receive and prepare patients on time for treatment, including seating, positioning the patient chair, and placing the basic setup; help patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatment

-Review and navigate dental records

-Complete medical history review (medications, allergies, and PCP check) and dental history review (including if patient has a dental prosthesis)

-Take and develop digital and phosphor plate radiographs

-Clean, sterilize and set-up supplies

-Take and record vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, and pulse) on each patient chart; take preliminary alginate impressions (if requested)

-Provide oral hygiene post-op instructions and patient education

-Assist in implementing infection control measures; clean and organized dental laboratory daily

-Provide direct dental care

-Perform dental polishing and applying topical fluoride, if CDA certified

-Perform routine maintenance of dental instruments.

-Perform sterilization and disinfection after procedures.

-Assist the Dentist and Dental Hygienist- chair side (four handed dentistry) by organizing instruments for dentist/hygienist use as needed.

-Ensure inventory control of dental supply (list all items as needed)

Qualifications:

-Successful completion of a Dental Assistance training program from an accredited institution and/or successful employment as a dental assistant with a minimum of two years of working experience

-Current and valid License to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

-Ability to understand written and oral instructions and strong interpersonal skills

-Life support training certification (e.g., CPR, BLS, and ACLS) from a course that includes a hands-on, in-person -component

-Fluency in Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred

-Demonstrate understanding of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention; demonstrate understanding of the OSHA -Blood borne Pathogens Standard

-Demonstrated interest in working with an underserved population.