The Dental Assistant/Account Support verifies patient insurance benefits, communicates with patients and insurance companies, submits dental prior authorizations, and discusses treatment plans and associated payments. This position coordinates, educates, and follows up with patients to support quality dental care. When needed, the employee also works as a chairside Dental Assistant. The role supports efficient patient flow through timely, accurate, and professional preparation of patients and patient information while maintaining positive patient relations and helping ensure patients are well cared for and satisfied.

Dental Assistant/Account Support

Functional Area: Patient Care/Operational Excellence

Estimated Effort: 40%

• Ensure patients have a positive experience and receive care and compassion
• Coordinate patient flow with dental and patient access staff as part of a team
• Ensure patient care, administrative processes, and related tasks comply with regulatory standards and VVHC clinic policies and procedures
• Prepare and maintain dental materials, supplies, and instruments, including disinfecting and sterilizing instruments and handpieces according to CDC and clinic policy
• Assist the dentist chairside by organizing and preparing instruments and providing comprehensive dental care to VVHC patients using the four-handed dentistry technique
• Assist the dentist with diagnostic examinations, procedures, and surgical interventions
• Collect and record pertinent patient health information and vital signs
• Document dental services in the patient record, including findings, diagnosis, treatment plan, and completed care
• Prepare, maintain, and clean or disinfect the dental clinic, equipment, and instruments in compliance with OSHA, CDC, and clinic regulations. This includes removing biohazard waste; cleaning, lubricating, and sterilizing instruments; and arranging operatories, the sterilization area, and the laboratory for use
• Maintain the operation of equipment, including handpieces, radiographic equipment, sterilizers, ultrasonic cleaner, water distiller, amalgam separator, and central evacuation system (pump/compressor)
• Maintain dental supplies, including stocking operatories, reviewing and putting away supply orders, and adding to and submitting supply orders
• Educate patients by providing oral hygiene and post-operative instructions
• Complete post-visit responsibilities

Functional Area: Administrative/Clerical Tasks

Estimated Effort: 50%

• Participate in the daily morning huddle
• Prepare, submit, and follow up on prior authorizations to private insurance and other payer sources that require authorization for procedures, by telephone, facsimile, or online system, while maintaining compliance with medical records confidentiality regulations
• Assist with telephone triage and distinguish true dental emergencies from routine treatment
• Prepare treatment plans and treatment cost estimates, and present them to patients for review
• Scan related paperwork and outside documents into the EHR so they are organized and accessible
• Send appropriate radiographs, narratives, and authorizations to the billing department for claims requiring documentation
• Prepare necessary patient documents for dental insurance prior authorization in accordance with the dentist’s diagnosis
• Maintain patient confidentiality

Functional Area: Service and Other Responsibilities

Estimated Effort: 10%

• Responsibilities may include serving on committees (ad hoc or standing), work groups, and service teams within Valley View Health Centers and CAC
• Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s mission of promoting oral health

Minimum Requirements

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent

Job-Related Experience

• Preference is given to individuals with prior dental experience and/or experience in a healthcare setting

Licenses, Certifications, and Accreditations

• Current/active Dental Assistant Radiographer’s Certificate through the Ohio State Dental Board
• Current Certified Dental Assistant credential through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), American Medical Technologists, or as a Certified Ohio Dental Assistant (CODA)
• Current healthcare provider CPR and AED certification through the American Heart Association

People Management Experience

• Not required

Direct Patient Care Requirements

• Verification of licensure, registration, or certification
• Verification of education and training
• Completion of a query of the Office of Inspector General (OIG)
• Verification of health/fitness for duty, including physical and mental health status and any impairment that may interfere with the safe and effective provision of care permitted under the requested clinical privileges of the position
• Three professional letters of recommendation
• Current BLS/CPR certification
• Proof of Hepatitis B immunity, including an immunization record showing the HBV series or documentation stating immunity

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with electronic dental health records and digital radiography
• Current certification in minimal sedation (N2O-O2) monitoring

Working Conditions

• Position is in a well-lighted clinic environment
• May require occasional travel between VVHC dental clinics, up to 25%
• Requires good verbal and written communication skills and the ability to speak and read English
• Regularly requires sitting; using hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reaching with hands and arms; and talking and hearing
• Work is fast-paced
• Occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling
• Requires close vision
• Regularly lifts and/or moves up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds