Dental Assistant 1

Seeking Dental Assistant 1 at a Thriving Dental Practice

What makes South San Francisco Dental Care different? Since 1977, we have been proud to stay true to our roots as a family-owned and family-operated practice. For us dentistry has always been personal: caring for generations of families, not just teeth.

What began as Dr. Kelvin C. Choi's solo practice has grown into a dynamic, trusted team of general dentists and specialists dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care for every generation.

Dr. Choi's passion for dentistry has carried through the next generation with two of his children, Dr. Alexandra Choi and Dr. Philip Choi, having proudly joined the practice. Together, they continue the family's legacy of clinical excellence, integrity, and patient-centered care.

Today, South San Francisco Dental Care is a privately-owned, leading, innovative multi-specialty group practice dedicated to delivering exceptional dental care. We combine outstanding customer service with modern technology to create an unparalleled patient experience.

The Dental Assistant 1 position is an entry level dental assistant position, responsible for working directly with dentists and hygienists to support the clinical operations of the office. The responsibilities of a Dental Assistant include, but are not limited to:

PATIENT INTAKE AND TRIAGE:
- Warm welcome for new and existing patients, and foster an enjoyable experience from intake to walkout.
- Review patient information, treatment plans, consent forms, and medical history records.
- Complete the initial New Patient interview to find out a patient’s Chief Concern.
- Full understanding of the Patient Management System’s (PMS) Tooth Chart to input restorations, missing teeth, flag watch areas and complete periodontal charting.
- Full understanding of the office’s services, providers on staff and their areas of expertise.
- Basic understanding of the office’s treatment philosophy and ability to provide various treatment options for patients.
- Documentation of the patient conversation, and providing initial recommendations based on Chief - Concern to complete the co-diagnosis process.

IMAGING:
- Full understanding and navigation of the PMS imaging module.
- Proficiency in capturing intraoral radiographs (i.e. periapical and bitewing radiographs) using both the PSP and sensor methods
- Proficiency in capturing panoramic radiographs.
- Proficiency in capturing assisted intraoral photographs using the intraoral camera as well as extraoral photographs using the office camera.
- Scanning or transferring all images into the patient’s EHR or sending images to the appropriate labs for review.
- Confidence in taking full arch intraoral scans.

CHAIRSIDE ASSISTANT FOR DIRECT OPERATIVE AND REMOVABLE PROCEDURES:
- Understanding and ability to explain the treatment recommendations provided by the assistant or the doctor.
- Proficiency in assisting the doctor at all times during treatment:
- Full understanding of the operatory layout and location of supplies/instruments.
- Proper chair and light positioning, head positioning and suction locations.
- Proper isolation technique, and understanding all steps of a direct operative procedure for any tooth.
- Familiarity with all types of matrix systems and their various functions.
- Familiarity with all types of removable appliances and the steps to complete each type of removable treatment.
- Confidence in taking clinically acceptable alginate impressions for fabrication of any removable appliance.
- Chart treatment diagnosed by doctor, and prioritizing treatment by urgency and appointment efficiency (i.e. chief concern/infection first, quadrant dentistry).

TREATMENT SCHEDULING:
- Full understanding of the provider schedules for proper next visit scheduling.
- Full understanding of next visit scheduling protocols for removable treatments, including lab turnaround times and delivery appointment duration.
- Input of clinical chart notes and all relevant information (i.e. treatment completed, patient information, next visit, etc.).
- Input of prescription information into the PMS.
- Completing the handoff to the administrative team during walkout.

Sterilization:
- Follow proper OSHA protocols to clean, sort and bag all instruments.
- Full understanding of the instrument labeling system for the GP and Hygiene departments, and familiarity with storage locations.
- Full understanding of setups needed for restorative and removable treatment.
- Turning over rooms for both the doctors and hygiene departments.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- As assigned by the Assistant Team Lead or Head of Clinical Operations

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs.
- Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the office.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
- Self motivated, great attitude, and tactful
- The ability to multi-task and adhere to deadlines
- Organization / time management skills

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Dental Assistant certification
- CPR & First Aid
- Radiation Registration

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

BENEFITS:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Employee discount
Free parking
Health insurance
On-the-job training
Paid sick time
Paid time off
Profit sharing
Uniform allowance

EXPERIENCE:
- Dental assisting: 1 year (Preferred)

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:
- X-Ray Certification (Required)
- Registered Dental Assistant license (Preferred)

Work Location: In person