Dental Assistant

Join a Mission-Driven Team in Alaska's Mat-Su Valley

Mat-Su Health Services (MSHS), a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), is seeking a compassionate and driven Dental Assistant to join our integrated care team.

At MSHS, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a community-focused setting while working alongside a collaborative team providing whole-person care -including primary care, behavioral health, dental, and psychiatry services.

Questions you may have:

What if I don't have any experience? You'll start at an entry wage ($19.00) and we will train you!

What if I have 2-4 years of experience? You'll be eligible to start a higher wage!

What If I have more than 4 years of experience? You're eligible to start at the highest starting wage!

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Supportive onboarding and mentorship

Position Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Dentist, the dental assistant supports dental care delivery by preparing treatment room, patient, instruments, and materials; passing instruments and materials; performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act.

Essential Functions:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential 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 essential functions.

1. This position requires compliance with MSHS' compliance standards, including the Code of Conduct, Compliance Program, and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the regular performance evaluation.
2. Prepares treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols.
3. Prepares patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping patient. Helps patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
4. Takes patient's medical history, blood pressure and pulse.
5. Takes and develops dental radiographs and use of radiograph software (x-rays).
6. Prepares and sterilizes instruments and equipment. Delivers instruments to treatment area; positions instruments for dentist's access; suctioning; passing instruments.
7. Provides materials by selecting, mixing, and placing materials on instruments and in the patient's mouth.
8. Takes impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth).
9. Pours, trims, and polishes study casts.
10. Maintains patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances.
11. Gives instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling).
12. Teaches patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health;
    (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling).
13. Provides information to patients by answering questions and requests within scope of practice.
14. Documents dental care services by charting in patient records.
15. Communicates with patients; schedules appointment; makes callbacks and recalls as needed; answers the telephone.
16. Coordinates with patients to best utilize insurance coverage to complete treatment plan.
17. Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory.
18. Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
19. Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations. Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
20. Serves as back up for monthly spore testing.
21. Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
22. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.

Employment Practices

Mat Su Health Services, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Mat Su Health Services, Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Mat Su Health Services, Inc. expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Mat Su Health Services, Inc.'s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

MSHS is an Equal Opportunity institution and does not discriminate against any person in employment or in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs and benefits on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, ability to speak English, disability, sex, age, or marital status.

Position Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience

1. Graduation from an accredited dental assistant program preferred but not a disqualifier . Certification as a dental assistant preferred but not a disqualifier.
2. One year of clinical experience preferred but not a disqualifier.
3. Experience using a variety of computer programs including, but not limited to Microsoft Office products and electronic health records.
4. Clear background check;
5. Current tuberculosis screening test result;
6. First Aid, CPR must be obtained when offered through the agency

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Work is performed primarily inside a heated, ventilated, and well-lighted environment.
2. The employee may be exposed to infectious waste, blood, body fluids, communicable/infectious diseases, air contaminants and hazardous chemicals.
3. Following safety procedures minimizes the risks associated with the use of x-ray machines.
4. Work area usually is near the dental chair to be able to arrange instruments, materials, and medication and hand them to the dentist when needed.
5. Prolonged sitting or standing may be required.
6. MSHS is a non-smoking campus.

Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to:

1. Stand; walk; sit for long periods of time and crouch in a forward position;
2. Use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and see, talk or hear.
3. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision acuity, hand-eye coordination, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
4. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate dental equipment.
5. The employee must be able to work under stressful conditions and in a confined area with accuracy.