DENTAL ASSISTANT - 64003944

Requisition No: 856965 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: DENTAL ASSISTANT - 64003944

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64003944 

Salary:  41,760.00 

Posting Closing Date: 08/02/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Open Competitive Opportunity

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for providing dental assisting and clerical duties for the dental programs at the Columbia & Hamilton County Health Departments under the supervision of the Public Health Services Manager and under the professional supervision of the dentist assigned to the Dental Program. Responsibilities include maintaining information in accordance with the state and federal statutes, rules, regulations and DOH policies, protocols, and procedures.

Dental assistant for the Miles of Smiles Dental Program and Associated Programs:

• Performs moderately complex clerical duties such as data entry, billing services, comprehensive customer service duties, answering multi-line phone system, and filing.
• Responsible for scheduling and confirming appointments for the dental bus.
• Responsible for compilation and daily billing into HMS for all services rendered.
• Responsible for completing daily reports and entering information into Excel spreadsheets.
• Responsible for submitting dental referrals.
• Responsible for making sure that all data entered in HMS and dental software matches.
• Responsible for verifying insurance for eligibility.
• Assists supervisor in communicating with the school staff regarding visits from the dental programs to their schools.
• Making copies of paperwork.
• Delivers consent forms to schools and/or utilizes the school system’s inner-office mail system to deliver and collect consents.

Other Dental assisting duties/responsibilities:

• Assists dentist during exams and performs expanded functions as defined by guidelines provided by the State of Florida during patient treatment.
• Takes radiographs/photos for the diagnosis of dental infection or related diseases upon approval of appropriateness of said x-rays/photos by Dentist.
• Responsible for data entry into dental software program when assisting chairside or on the dental bus.
• Responsible for breakdown, cleaning/disinfecting and setup of dental operatory for the next patient.
• Responsible for preparing dental instruments for sterilization and storage after sterilization.
• Communicates with parents/guardians regarding care that is planned, provides oral health education to the patient and parent/guardian, provides pre-op and post-op instructions to the parent/guardian, and assists with scheduling appointments for further dental needs.
• Assists in the maintenance and emergency repair of dental equipment.
• Responsible for knowledge of policies and procedures of the dental program.
• Responsible for assisting in completing daily, weekly, and monthly preventive maintenance on the dental bus, including but not limited to vacuum/air/water units, autoclave, x-ray processor, cleaning inside of bus, changing air filters, filling water tank, and emptying the vacuum system tank waste.

Assists dental programs by traveling to the schools with dental staff; getting patients to and from their classrooms, making goody bags to go home with patients, and completing paperwork that goes home with the students. Participates in local outreaches to promote the dental programs and to educate the public on oral health. Promotes dental education by preparing and/or delivering dental presentations to classrooms or events. Schedules repair technicians for dental programs, if needed. Attend staff meetings, in-services and trainings as required. Codes and records (EARS). Maintains complete and accurate personnel forms including timesheets and travel vouchers. Responsible for securing the designated information sets for the purpose of protecting confidentiality, data integrity, and appropriate access, for all information, both confidential and public record, which is stored in hard copy or electronic formats.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Dental Terminology
• Basic Computer Skills
• Strong Time Management skills
• Knowledge of sterilization equipment, OSHA standards, and x-ray equipment
• Ability to interact effectively with patients, parents/guardians, healthcare providers, the public and staff
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to de-escalate situations and a strong focus on patient satisfaction
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently with attention to detail

Qualifications:

Minimum - Certified as Expanded functions Dental Assistant, CPR certification, experience with Microsoft Office (ex: Word, Excel, etc.), customer service experience.

Preferred – Bilingual- Spanish preferred.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Department of Health Columbia: 217 NE Franklin Street Lake City, FL 32055

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.