Dental Assistant

This position serves a dual purpose: primary is providing essential assistance to patients in need of dental care and secondary is supporting the day-to-day operations of the dental clinic. Plays a vital role in ensuring patients receive the highest quality care and comfort during procedures, while also contributing to the efficient functioning of the clinic.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and/or RESPONSIBILITIESinclude the following:

• Prepare and arrange instruments and materials for each treatment, ensuring the patient and operatory are ready.
• Assist the dentist chairside during all phases of dentistry using fourhanded, sit, and stand techniques.
• Pass instruments to and retrieve them from the dentist, maintain a clear operation area using evacuation and suction tools, retract tissue, tongue, and cheek.
• During surgical procedures, maintain aseptic conditions, stabilize tissue, and cut sutures. Remain attentive to the patient's condition for signs of distress.
• Take blood pressure readings of patients.
• Perform specific intraoral procedures as directed by the dentist.
• Take preliminary impressions, remove sutures, place and remove rubber dams, perform coronal prophylaxis, and apply topical fluoride treatments.
• Pour and trim models from impressions. Create custom impression trays, bleaching trays, night guards, and mouth guards.
• Operate x-ray equipment to take intraoral and extraoral radiographs.
• Import digital images into patient charts with accurate date, orientation, and tooth identification.
• Chart examination and treatment information as communicated by the dentist.
• Follow OSHA standards for the proper handling, transferring, and sterilization of instruments, including potentially contaminated sharps with blood borne pathogens.
• Conduct weekly spore sample tests in autoclave and maintain a record. Clean autoclave on a monthly basis.
• Keep dental equipment clean and in working order.
• Ensure dental clinic supplies are stocked and well-organized.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of assigned clinic units, ensuring they are disinfected and prepared for patient care.
• Adhere to daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning regimens for dental equipment and clinic supply areas.
• Assist with reception and scheduling duties as needed.
• Perform other assigned duties as agreed upon.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Must have high school diploma or General Education Degree (G.E.D.)
• Must have (1) successfully completed an education program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and (2) be certified in their field.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, and/or REGISTRATIONS:

• Must be a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).
• Must be Dental Radiography and CPR certified. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR part 75.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and eligible for tribal insurance

Must pass background check, physical, and pre-employment drug screen.