Dental Assistant

Dental AssistantAkicita Federal is seeking qualified Dental Assistants to provide non-personal healthcare services at the Albuquerque Indian Dental Clinic within the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Service (IHS). The Dental Assistant will support dental and orthodontic operations, ensuring high-quality patient care in accordance with Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and IHS regulations, with minimal disruption to government personnel, property, and the general public.$50,000 - $60,000 a yearDuties and Responsibilities:Document all patient encounters in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) following AIDC policies, AAAHC standards, and CMS regulations.Assist dentists by restoring teeth following preparation, including:Selection, contouring, and placement of matricesPlacement of bases and linersPacking, carving, and polishing of complex alloy restorations, including those requiring cusp replacements and retentive pins.Place and finish complex composite restorations and fabricate/adjust temporary restorations.Select, contour, cement stainless steel crowns, and fabricate and adjust temporary acrylic crowns and bridges.Provide patients with post-operative care instructions.Perform various procedures including:Placement and removal of rubber damsRemoval of suturesApplication of desensitizing agents and periodontal dressingsPlacement of surgical gauze following extractionsAssist with endodontic procedures by isolating teeth, cleansing, irrigating, applying medicaments, and closing teeth temporarily.Take primary impressions for study models, pour and trim models, and fabricate custom trays and bite rims.Perform complex oral prophylaxis, apply topical fluoride treatments, and place pit and fissure sealants.Operate ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments for calculus removal.Educate patients on disease prevention and demonstrate individual home care techniques.Expose, process, and mount intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs.Maintain cleanliness and operability of clinical areas, ensuring instruments are sharpened and sterilized.Manage inventory and order necessary supplies to ensure the clinic remains properly stocked.Take and record patient blood pressure.Apply and remove periodontal and surgical packs and dressings.Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.Maintain all necessary clinical privileges.Qualifications:Education: Graduation from an accredited dental assistant training school or proof of equivalent on-the-job training.Certifications:Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.Experience: Relevant experience assisting with complex dental and orthodontic procedures is strongly preferred.