Mobile Dental Outreach Provider in Lakeport, California at LAKE COUNTY TRIBAL HEALTH

TITLE: MOBILE DENTAL OUTREACH PROVIDER
DEPARTMENT: DENTAL
SUPERVISED BY: DENTAL DIRECTOR
CLASSIFICATION: FULL-TIME EXEMPT
POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Dental Director, the Mobile Dental Outreach Provider delivers preventive dental services through a mobile dental unit operated by Lake County Tribal Health Consortium (LCTHC). This position expands access to high-quality oral healthcare for underserved populations, with a particular focus on Native American communities and community-based care. Using dental equipment in a mobile unit and evidence-based practices, the provider delivers preventive services, oral health education, and patient-centered care while promoting health advocacy, cultural sensitivity, exceptional customer service, and positive patient outcomes.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Provide dental hygiene services within the scope of practice of a California-licensed dental hygienist serving as an authorized provider in a designated mobile dental care setting (RDHAP), in compliance with applicable state laws, regulations, and professional standards.

• Deliver dental hygiene services following a dental examination, diagnosis, and treatment plan established by an LCTHC dentist, including prophylaxis for children and adults, scaling and root planning, periodontal maintenance, and topical fluoride application.

• Place sealants and perform Interim Therapeutic Restorations using hand instruments only, including the application of silver diamine fluoride as prescribed.

• Conduct oral health assessments; obtain and interpret radiographs and intraoral photographs; and perform periodontal probing and charting.

• Collaborate with the Dental Director to support communication, planning, and operational effectiveness of the mobile dental unit.

• Manage efficient schedules, maintain accurate patient records, support billing processes, and coordinate referrals with the dentist of record.

• Ensure compliance with infection control, safety, privacy, documentation, and regulatory requirements while performing clinical and operational duties in the mobile setting.

• Provide oral health education, nutritional counseling, and behavioral guidance to patients, families, caregivers, and community partners.

• Coordinate referrals to dentists, specialists, and LCTHC medical providers and its resources as needed.

• Assist patients in accessing follow-up treatment and establishing dental care at the clinics.

• Promote patient engagement and continuity of care.

• Support departmental preventive care initiatives, outreach goals, and quality improvement activities.

• Provide dental hygiene services in clinic settings as needed to support departmental operations.

• Follow LCTHC Dental Department policies, procedures, protocols, and standard operating procedures.

• Maintain mobile dental equipment, supplies, and operatory readiness, including set-up, breakdown, transportation support, and inventory coordination as assigned.

• Participate and represent LCTHC professionally at community outreach events, schools, clinics, and partner locations.

• Comply with all applicable federal, state, tribal, and organizational regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Adhere to California Dental Practice Act requirements governing RDHAP services.

• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, audits, and performance activities.

• Maintain patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.

• Complete required trainings and maintain professional licensure and certifications.

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Dental Director.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:
• Current and active California Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) license required.

• Current CPR/BLS certification required.

• Valid California driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and ability to travel to mobile outreach locations required.

• Previous dental experience in a community clinic, tribal health, public health, or school-based setting preferred.

• Experience working with underserved populations and culturally diverse communities preferred.

• Knowledge of dental hygiene scope of practice, infection control standards, documentation requirements, and patient confidentiality expectations required.

• Strong clinical judgment and ability to provide safe, evidence-based preventive dental care in nontraditional settings.

• Excellent communication, patient education, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to build trust with patients, families, caregivers, schools, and community partners.

• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and commitment to serving Native American communities and other underserved populations.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage scheduling, documentation, referrals, supplies, and competing priorities.

• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective collaboration with dentists, dental team members, medical providers, and administrative staff.

• Proficiency with dental records, radiographic documentation, and basic computer applications used in clinical operations.

• Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, customer service, and continuous quality improvement.

• All LCTHC employees are expected to:
-Provide the highest possible level of service to clients;

-Promote teamwork and cooperative effort among employees;

-Maintain safe practices; and

-Abide by the LCTHC policies and procedures as they may from time to time be updated.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an

employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Sitting / Mobility: Approximately 30% of time is spent working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 70%) is spent moving around work areas. Work is performed in a mobile dental unit, clinic, community, and outreach environments.

• Requires travel between LCTHC sites and community outreach locations, including Lakeport, Clearlake, and surrounding service areas as assigned. May require standing, sitting, bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, and setting up portable dental equipment and supplies. Must follow all infection prevention, occupational safety, and equipment handling procedures. Schedule may vary based on outreach events, patient care needs, and departmental operations. Communication: Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, Board members, members of outside agencies, in person, by telephone, and by email. Vision: Ability to effectively use a computer screen and interpret printed materials, memos, and other appropriate paperwork. Lifting / Carrying: Ability to occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing no more than 25 pounds. Stooping / Kneeling: Ability to access files/stock supplies in low cabinets and shelves. Reaching / Handling: Ability to input information into computer systems and retrieve and work with appropriate paperwork, equipment, and supplies. Use of standard office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and fax. Work is performed in an office/clinic environment; continuous contact with other staff and the public.
INDIAN PREFERENCE: Preference may be given to qualified Native American Indians according to the Indian Preference Hiring Act, CFR 25 USC 472. Other than Indian Preference, Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, Inc. adheres to all provisions of the Equal Employment Opportunities Act.
NOTICE OF DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ACT REQUIREMENT: LCTHC is committed to maintaining a drug free and alcohol free workplace. LCTHC believes that a healthy, productive workforce free from the effects of drugs is very important to all employees and patients. Substance abuse is incompatible with the health, safety, efficiency and the success of LCTHC.

Employees who are under the influence compromise LCTHC’S interests, endanger their own and the health and safety of others and can cause a number of other work-related problems. As a condition of employment, each applicant receiving a job offer from LCTHC must take and pass a required drug screen test.
HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability:

This act was enacted to deal with three main areas with regard to patient information.

• Security of health information

• Standards of electronic transactions

• Privacy of individually identifiable health information
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE
The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations, or work environment change.
Lake County Tribal Health is an At-Will Employer. Either the employee or LCTHC can terminate the employment at will, without advance notice, at any time, with or without cause.