Dental Assistant (EXP FUN) - Echo Cliffs Health Center

Navajo Preference Employment Act Overview The Dental Assistant (Expanded Function) performs a wide range of reversible intra‑oral dental procedures under the direction of a dentist. The role includes chair‑side assistance, anticipating the dentist’s needs for instruments, materials and services, and requires knowledge of dental anatomy, related oral anatomy, the technical methods and practices of dentistry, the functions of dental instruments, and the materials needed to perform a wide variety of dental procedures. Qualifications Necessary Qualifications Education: High school diploma or GED. Completion of one (1) year of acceptable coursework, preceptorship, or other formal training specifically designed to provide knowledge and skills to perform expanded function procedures. If IHS trained prior to 2025, both Basic and Advanced Restorative Expanded Functions certificates are required; if IHS trained after 2024, only the new Restorative Expanded Functions certificate is required. Certification: Must have current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification by the American Heart Association for at least 90 days after start of employment and must be maintained during employment at TCRHCC. Examples of acceptable training: Courses in a dental hygiene or dental assistant program accredited by ADA’s Commission on Accreditation that are directly related to the intra‑oral procedures performed in this position. S. Army Dental Therapy Assistant Training program. Continuing education courses in expanded functions for dental assistants offered by IHS of the DHHS; and/or Other comparable training in private or governmental hospitals, clinics, or schools that included formal classroom instruction and clinical training in the necessary knowledge and skills. Experience: At least 2 years of experience as a basic level Dental Assistant. Ability to perform four‑handed dentistry. Continuous experience as a Dental Assistant for 3 years. Mental and Physical Effort The physical and mental demands described represent the requirements to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Physical: This position requires long periods of sitting with frequent standing and reaching. Must be able to walk, drive, bend, climb, kneel, crouch, twist, and maintain balance. Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 10 pounds for prolonged periods and occasionally lift up to 24 or 50 pounds. Requires near and far vision, color vision, depth perception, fine hand manipulation, and normal hearing for prolonged periods. Environment: Work in a well‑lit clinical setting with strict infection control standards. Must wear gloves, masks, eyewear, and protective clothing. May be exposed to infectious diseases, chemical agents, loud noises, dust, fumes, gases, extreme temperatures or humidity, and hazardous or moving equipment. Mental: Performs chair‑side assistance and radiographic work, requiring concentration, flexibility, patience, and the ability to handle high levels of stress, make decisions under high pressure, and manage multiple priorities. Must cope with hostility, work alone, and adapt to shift work. Responsibilities Essential Functions: Customer service must be a priority. Organize and lay out instruments for the dentist’s use. Meet and greet patients and seat them in the dental chair. Restore teeth prepared by the dentist with permanent and temporary fillings. Support the dentist in endodontic treatments by applying rubber dam, removing temporary fillings with a low‑speed handpiece, and cleansing and drying the operative field. Takes preliminary impressions for study models, modifying the impression tray as needed. Retract gingiva from teeth for the final impression by placing and removing retraction cord. Assist in surgical treatment by applying and removing periodontal and post‑extraction dressings, and removing sutures. Instruct patients in preventive dental care measures, general nutrition related to dental health, common causes of tooth decay, and care of prosthodontic appliances. Apply desensitizing agents, tissue conditioners, and other topical agents as prescribed by the dentist. Proficiently take dental radiographs. Construct and place temporary crowns and bridges. Provide oral hygiene and post‑operative instructions to patients. Work with Electronic Health Record (EHR) programs including Dental Health Records; training is provided. Provide training to new staff as instructed by the supervisor. Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops and review courses. Record and input electronic health records data pertinent to patient service roles. Ensure proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is used at all times. Face surgical masks are worn in all hospital areas. Proper handwashing is required; hand sanitizer may be used when water is unavailable. Social distancing is practiced by the department. Complete donning and doffing tasks safely and dispose of used PPE according to protocol. Training will be provided. Complete task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for surfaces contaminated by communicable diseases to maintain safety and satisfaction. Perform other duties as assigned. #J-18808-Ljbffr