Position Summary:    

The Dental Assistant is responsible for delivering professional dental care services while upholding the ASQ (Access, Stewardship, and Quality) pillars. They assist dentists and hygienists with procedures, room setup, and x-rays, and ensure an organized, infection-free environment. The Dental Assistant performs specific duties as assigned by the Lead Dental Assistant, Dental Clinic Manager, and Dental Provider. The primary work location for this position will be at the Pediatric Dental Office.

The Dental Assistant 1 will be trained in theory and practical application under the supervision of practicing dentists, hygienists, and assistants. Lectures on the fundamentals of general dentistry and the basic skills, knowledge, and technical proficiency necessary to assist the dentist in the various operative procedures performed in a dental clinic.

Why Join Us?

• Live, work, and play in 'Colorado's Playground'! Summit County offers four world-class ski resorts, with Vail Resort just 45 minutes away. With rivers, lakes, hiking, and mountain biking trails, it's a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Year-round activities include skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, fishing, and boating. Music, art, cultural, and social events are plentiful. The communities include Frisco, Breckenridge, Dillon, and Silverthorne, with ski resorts like Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin. This is your dream job location!
• Mission-Driven Work: Be part of a nationally recognized Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health services in a collaborative team-based model of care.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a flexible schedule supporting professional growth and outdoor adventure.
• Competitive compensation: Attractive salary, benefits, and bonus potential.
• Loan Repayment Opportunities: We offer loan repayment assistance for qualifying candidates.
• Growth Opportunities: We're committed to helping you grow professionally through continued education and development.
• Comprehensive Benefits:
  • Insured group health, dental, and vision plans.
  • 401k retirement plan with employer match.
  • Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability plans.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, one floating holiday, and sick pay.
  • Free access to confidential resources through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Additional voluntary benefits include accident insurance, critical illness, short-term disability, and group pet insurance.
  • Lifestyle Spending Account for full-time employees.
  • Fringe benefits like a shared ski medallion, discounted Rec Center membership, and more.

Essential Functions: 

• The DA will follow the Tier 1 curriculum and adhere to its requirements for completion.
  • Completion of this tier is required regardless of prior experience.
• Receives patient for treatment, performs mouth mirror inspection, identifies oral anatomy, and charts existing restorations. Performs coronal polishing procedures, applies topical fluoride, and provides preventive education and oral hygiene instructions to patients. Takes, records, and monitors vital signs.
• Using the concept of four-handed dentistry assists the dentist in restorative and surgical dental procedures. It maintains the field of operation during dental procedures through retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing or removing cotton rolls, etc. Mixes dental materials; places and removes retraction cord and matrix bands; removes sutures, places and removes dental dam; and removes permanent cement from supragingival surfaces.
• Maintains accurate, up-to-date records for dental patients.
• Referral to Alliance Dental Practices.
• Follow through on Treatment Plans.
• Organizes and maintains the dental operations.
• Producing and preparing radiographic images for the dentist.
• Applies effective communication techniques and demonstrates knowledge of ethics, jurisprudence, and patient confidentiality. Recognizes, understands, and responds to dental and medical emergencies.
• Central Sterilization Area – Weekly Sterilization Testing.
• Understand and comply with OSHA requirements as determined by the OSHA Officer.
• Additional Tasks/Responsibilities (these may change, and additional duties may be assigned)
  • Outreach Activities in the community.
  • School screening and sealant days.
  • Equipment repair and maintenance​​​.

Additional Requirements:

• Grants are vital to ECH's revenues and directly or indirectly support all positions. This role may have responsibilities that are closely associated with grant deliverables. Grants and grant responsibilities may change over Time.
• Complete all required training as designated by HR and the position supervisor.
• Adhere to all organization policies and those outlined in the Care Clinic Employee Handbook.
• Comply with all ECH Vaccine Mandates.
• Willingness to travel and work at other ECH locations as determined by the supervisor.
• Comply with all applicable Credentialing and Privileging requirements in a timely manner.
• Embrace the ECH Mission and Vision and agree to work within the ECH Guiding Principles and the principles set by the position supervisor.
• Must participate in quality assurance/ improvement activities when applicable.

Qualifications

Qualifications:   

To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements below represent the required knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education/Experience:  

Must-Haves to be successful:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience using computers for a variety of tasks.
• Able to provide excellent patient care.
• Ability to read, write, and speak the English language. 
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and deal with multiple linguistic variables. 
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, be self-directed, and organized. 
• Ability to reason objectively. 
• Ability to handle various duties that may be interrupted or changed by immediate circumstances.
• Ability to work well in a high-stress environment.
• Willingness to complete tier 1 within 12 months.

Nice to Have:

• On-site Dental Training Program offered.
• Ability to speak Spanish (bilingual) is preferred.

Work Environment: 

The work environment in a healthcare setting can be fast-paced and involves working directly with patients and healthcare professionals. The individual may also work in a clerical setting. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Below are the minimal knowledge/physical requirements of this position.