Dental Assistant

Under direct supervision of the Dental Director, assist the Dentist in all phases of restorative, prosthodontics, surgical, endodontics, and periodontal treatment as provided in general dentistry. Help ensure a safe and friendly environment for the patient. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Provide chair side assistance to dentists and/or dental hygienists in the performance of dental procedures, to include operative, preventive, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic, and/or oral surgical procedures. Ensure cleanliness, safety and maintenance of equipment including minor repairs. Remain with dentist and patient during procedures. Ensure that all instruments, chart and radiographs are in the chair side area prior to the arrival of the patient. Receive and direct the patient to the appropriate area of the clinic for anticipated treatment needs. Clean, disinfect and sterilize instruments. Take dental radiographs in accordance with provider orders; assist in the monitoring and maintenance of radiation safety procedures and protocols. Prepare, sterilize, organize, and set up dental equipment, ensuring that all dental instruments are cleaned, dated, and processed according to established clinic guidelines and standards. Responsible for maintaining a clean oral working area; record all provider exam findings completely and accurately in the patient chart; may act as an interpreter between patient and dentist as needed. Provide instructions for patients in oral hygiene techniques and post‑operative instructions both verbally and in written form. Take study model impressions and pour, trim and label models. Verify if a prior authorization was sent to the Referral Specialist and follow up with the verification process. Clean and disinfect dental chair and chair side areas in a timely manner after patient is dismissed and before next patient is seated. Monitor and ensure the stocking of supplies at chair side unit and report items needed to be ordered. Always maintain Universal Precaution guidelines during patient care (Mask, Gloves, Eye Protection) and wash hands before and after de‑gloving. Maintain sterilization room and lab area in a clean, orderly manner. Monitor and maintain dental equipment, such as compressors, evacuator systems, radiographic equipment, sterilizers, and light‑curing units, in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. Follow and maintain all relevant federal, state, and institutional regulations, guidelines, policies, and standards for the provision of dental clinical services. Participate in and attend in‑service and educational programs to improve and learn new skills. Assist in training new dental assistants. May fill in for front desk as needed. Treat patients with dignity and respect. Maintain strict department security, confidentiality, and quality to meet professional standards of the department. The above duties and responsibilities are not an all‑inclusive list but rather a general representation of the duties and responsibilities associated with this position. The duties and responsibilities will be subject to change based on organizational needs and/or deemed necessary by the supervisor. Other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of patient care charts and patient histories; patient evaluation and triage procedures; planning and scheduling techniques; radiation safety procedures, standards, and protocols; supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control. Knowledge of Federal, State, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services. Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint) and electronic dental records software such as EPIC, Wisdom, Dentrix or other electronic patient record. Ability to work as a team member within a clinical environment and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and co‑workers at all levels. Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines. Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a wide range of dental equipment in accordance with prescribed procedures and standards. Ability to take dental radiographs. Ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both verbally and in writing. Must be willing and able to obtain additional education and training. CPR Certification within six (6) months of employment. Must maintain certification during tenure of employment. EDUCATION and/or SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE Preferred – Dental Assisting Certificate from a Nationally Accredited Program and the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation and six (6) months of dental assisting, chair side experience; and/or equivalent education and experience. OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and anus; talk and hear, frequently sit, stand; walk, talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and anus; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, push or pull, and be able to reach out and pick‑up and hold small objects. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally lift or move up to twenty‑five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Noise level in the work environment is usually quiet; however, use of dental equipment may involve varied noise levels. Work is performed in an office environment utilizing various office equipment including, but not limited to, a computer, copy machine, fax machine, and multi‑line phone. Ability to communicate effectively over the telephone, by computer and in person. Ability to perform well in a fast‑paced work environment. This is a general outline of the essential functions of this position and shall not be construed as an all‑inclusive description of all work requirements and responsibilities. The employee may be required to perform other job‑related duties as requested by the designated work leader(s). All requirements are subject to change over time. All positions at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center have the responsibility to carry out functions to maintain inspection and survey readiness, participate in Quality Improvement initiatives, as well as assist in and/or provide education for health promotion and disease prevention. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. GLIIHC supports a safe, healthy and drug‑free work environment through criminal and caregiver background checks and pre‑employment drug testing. GLIIHC maintains a smoke‑free environment. #J-18808-Ljbffr