Dental Assistant, Outreach Clinics

**Dental Assistant, Outreach Clinics**:
**Primary Purpose**: This position provides clinical support to a diverse group of patients, students, staff, and dentists within a clinical outreach dentistry setting to support the delivery of patient care and the clinical student experience. The position is responsible for providing continuity of care and ensures timely, efficient, and effective service and contributes to an environment that values the beliefs, needs and contributions of a culturally diverse community.

The Dental Assistants work primarily in College outreach clinics in the Big River First Nation, LaLoche, Ile-a-la-Crosse, Prince Albert Campus Dental Clinic, or Saskatoon West Dental Clinic but may be required to provide service at other clinics, requiring travel within the province. Specific work locations and scheduling will be agreed upon between the Dental Assistants and the Director.

**Nature of Work**: Living and working in rural and remote northern locations in Saskatchewan provides exciting opportunities to engage closely with communities and live in places few people ever get to see. Northern communities provide an abundance of outdoor recreation including world class hiking and fishing, as well as unique opportunities to learn more about local Indigenous cultures. Our outreach clinics provide rewarding experiences both personally and professionally.

The College of Dentistry has a strong commitment to increase access by extending dental service and care to priority populations outside of cities. Reporting to the Director of Inclusive Community Outreach, the Dental Assistant works with dentists, staff and students to support the teaching, learning, and patient care functions in northern and rural communities. The position provides excellent, culturally responsive service to all and must have a good overall understanding of Clinic and College policies and processes to appropriately meet the needs of diverse patients and students.

**Typical Duties or Accountabilities**
- Provides chairside support to dentists and students in dental procedures
- Sterilizes, distributes and maintains dental instruments and equipment maintaining overall asepsis in clinical areas
- Helps coordinate necessary schedules and activities for patient care and student learning
- Assists patients by acquainting them with policies, procedures, costs relevant to their care and helping them navigate the system as necessary
- Uses and monitors the patient health record database to ensure timely and accurate information entry and facilitates corrections as required
- Audits and reviews patient charts to monitor patient progress and ensure proper protocol is being followed by students
- Attends meetings to ensure delivery of patient care and student experience is consistent within the clinic
- Facilitates patient referrals for specialty services
- Assist with student orientations and demonstrations
- Updates policies and procedure manuals as directed
- Directly or indirectly support the delivery of patient and clinical care
- Other duties as assigned

**Qualifications**
**Education**: Completion of Grade 12; and a current Registered Dental Assistant Level II license in Saskatchewan with knowledge of current infection control procedures is required.

Within the first six months of employment in this position, the incumbent will be required to obtain: Accreditation in Infection Control and Safety; CPR and AED Certification; Biosafety Certificate; and WHMIS training.

**Experience**: 3 - 5 years’ experience in clinical dentistry as a dental assistant is required with, at least one year of dental assistant experience in an outreach clinic working with diverse and underserved members of the community. Experience working with the public in a busy environment is required. Experience in dental administration and digital imaging (intra and extra-oral) would be an asset. A combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.

**Skills**:

- Proven effective interpersonal, organizational and time management skills;
- Effective team leadership and coordination skills;
- Effective written and oral communication;
- Demonstrated competence, sensitivity, and empathy in working with diverse groups and underserved members of the community;
- Ability to recognize and respectfully respond to an individual’s specific needs in an inclusive manner
- Skill in organizing and executing multiple assignments under specific time constraints;
- Skill in exercising initiative, resourcefulness, and sound judgment with an ability to solve problems and make decisions;
- Keyboarding skills and proficiency with MS Office is required;
- Experience with a patient health record database would be an asset;
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment with a team approach to delivery of patient care;
- Ability to independently perform specialized tasks following stated procedures;
- Ability to manage and prioritize competing deadline