Teaching Dental Assistant

Primary Purpose University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.

Under the general supervision of the Pediatric Clinic Manager, demonstrates and instructs concepts of four-handed dentistry in the Pediatric clinical setting to dental students. Essential Functions

• Instruct and apply principles of efficient, and effective clinical pediatric procedures utilizing appropriate teamwork in a clinical setting: Ergonomics. Injury prevention. Instrument Transfers. Dental team positioning. Organization/work simplification. Infection control. Patient and professional communication.
• Instruct students with the use of electronic patient health records to include patient presentation worksheet, treatment plan/options/fees and preventive instruction and intervention.
• Evaluate and grade student’s preparedness and proficiency working with pediatric patients; utilize one-on-one demonstrations, immediate feedback/corrections and faculty collaboration for daily electronic student performance evaluations.
• Support the Humanistic Values of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.
• Conduct Pediatric Clinic and chair side orientations, training of new staff, and assist in orientation of new faculty.
• Perform outreach responsibilities which result in a positive impact upon the student/clinical experience to include the following: Initiate and coordinate a minimum of two pre-approved outreach events per year to pediatric populations of not less than 15 participants. Initiate minimum of 1 new outreach opportunity/contact per year. Partner with SCOPE in all outreach events. Provide summary of event, including contact person, role in event/organization, program evaluation, number of patients and ages reached, and potential impact on clinic, measurement used (i.e. increased patients, contacts made, relationship established with measurable outcomes, etc) to Chairperson and Clinic Manager. Efforts made to partner with outside agencies to garner financial and logistic support for outreach activities.
• Perform teaching/training to include: Partner with other departments/schools (i.e. Physical Therapy School, CDE) to provide enhanced knowledge and experience with ergonomic issues related to the dental professionals. Assist with Just-in-Time Learning Videos. Maintain a current knowledge base around ergonomics and enhance materials based on the information.
• Assist with all patients, monitor patient vital signs, assist with special needs and medically compromised patients.
• Provide chairside dental assisting duties as needed for faculty doctors in the Pediatric Clinic and/or in the operating room setting.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Pediatric Clinic Manager and/or the Chairperson of Pediatric Dentistry.

Minimum Qualifications Knowledge of:

• Chairside dental assisting techniques.
• Sterilization techniques.
• Pediatric clinical techniques.
• Emergency procedures (CPR).

Ability to:

• Explain pediatric procedures / four-handed principles.
• Work well with children.
• Organize, coordinate, and conduct professional outreach programs.
• Perform effective teaching / training to other departments/schools within the University.

Experience:

• Minimum of three year’s chairside dental assisting in a Pediatric private dental practice or dental clinic setting.

Education/Licenses:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current RDA license.
• Current California X-ray license.
• Current CPR certification.

Working Conditions:

• Position is full-time, 7.5 hours per day, 5 days per week.
• May require working at offsite location if assigned to operating room.
• Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens may reasonably be anticipated. Personal protective equipment will be provided to reduce or eliminate exposure to routine or limited infectious agents.

Preferred Qualifications Experience:

• Teaching experience as a dental assistant desirable.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with faculty, staff and public.
• Monitor dental student performance and provide objective evaluations.
• Follow verbal/written instructions.
• Project a professional image.
• Function as a team member in a professional manner with co-workers and faculty in a busy clinical setting.
• Set guidelines with appropriate follow-through with dental students/patients.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

• Bilingual (i.e. Spanish, Cantonese or Mandarin).

Education/Licenses:

• Current CDA license desirable.

Other:

• Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
• Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative but not definitive of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Position requires alternate walking, standing, and sitting.
• May require standing for long periods of time dependent upon patient/clinic needs.
• Frequent reaching and handling of dental instruments.
• May be requested to assist with temporary physical restraint of patients in emergency situations.
• Occasional pushing, pulling; occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs.

Hiring Range 34.25 per hour Background Check Statement All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment are required to execute a release and authorization for a background screening.

AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: University of the Pacific complies with California Assembly Bill 810, requiring candidates accepting conditional job offers to disclose any final administrative or judicial findings, ongoing proceedings, allegations, resignations under investigation, or appeals related to sexual harassment or misconduct within the past seven years.

Anti-Discrimination/EEO Policy Statement

University of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity across backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. Pacific does not unlawfully discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability, or other legally protected characteristics or combination of such characteristics. While we strive to attract a broad and representative pool of candidates, all hiring decisions are made based on merit, selecting the most qualified individual for each position.