Dental Assistant

Company Description

At NATIVE HEALTH, we strive to provide the best health care available for urban American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other individuals who generally experience barriers to health and wellness services.

Mission:  To provide accessible holistic patient centered care, to empower our community to achieve the highest quality health and well-being.

Vision: Healthy People in Healthy Communities.

NATIVE HEALTH Benefits and Perks Include:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Retirement Benefits - Up to 5% Matching Contribution
• Paid Time Off/Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays (12)
• Tuition Reimbursement and Educational Leave
• Employee Recognition Program

Starting Pay: $18.42

Job Description

The Dental Assistant performs chair side assistance duties in all phases of restorative, prosthodontics, surgical endodontics and periodontal treatments as provided in general dentistry.  The Dental Assistant reports to and works under the primary supervision of NATIVE HEALTH’s Dentist and the general supervision of the Dental Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Receives and routes patients.
2. Responsible for office/clinic flow by positively greeting clients, providing appropriate forms and instruction for completion of documents and by guiding clients according to clinic procedures.
3. Records information related to medical history of patient and treatment information as relayed to dentist.
4. Maintains dental equipment in a clean and operative condition.
5. Sterilizes instruments, materials and equipment; prepares surgical trays.  Ensures a dirty to clean flow of instruments.
6. Maintains general cleanliness of the office.
7. Ensures all infection control protocols are strictly adhered to. 
8. Compiles with OSHA standards.
9. Orders and stocks dental supplies.
10. Properly lays out all instruments and materials required for each appointment; prepares patient and operatory.
11. Obtains and records blood pressure and pulse of oral surgery patient as directed.
12. Assists dentist at chairside as anticipated or required in all phases of general dentistry, utilizing techniques for fourhanded sit-down dentistry.
13. Passes instruments and materials to and retrieves them from the dentist; keeps area of operation clear using high speed evacuator, suction tip and irrigation; retracts tissue, tongue and cheek.  In surgical procedures maintains aseptic condition. Stabilize tissue for dentist and cut sutures.
14. Keeps alert to condition of patient during treatment for signs of fainting, shock, or other distress.
15. Performs the following intra-oral procedures as directed by dentist: takes preliminary impressions for study models; removes sutures and places and removes rubber dams, periopacks, matrix bands and wedges.
16. Relays dentist’s instructions to patient for post treatment care.
17. Instructs patient in brushing and flossing techniques. Care of prosthodontics appliances, and common causes of tooth decay.
18. Operates dental x-rays equipment to take intra and extra-oral radiographs, develops and finishes film.
19. Applies topical fluoride solutions and/or desensitizing agents to the teeth.
20. Ensures that all preventative maintenance is performed on equipment.  Maintains equipment preventative maintenance logs.
21. Records information relayed by dentist on prescriptions and other forms for signature of dentist.
22. Pours and trims models from impressions and constructs custom impression trays.
23. Performs other work-related duties as assigned.
24. Checks pre-medications.
25. Records treatment information in patient charts.
26. Provides postoperative instructions as directed by the dentist.
27. Orders dental supplies and maintains dental equipment inventory
28. Coordinates and follows up on specialty referrals.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS:

1. Dental Assistant Certification from an accredited college or training institution.
2. Radiology certification as required per AZ, State Dental Laws.
3. Must obtain certification in Sealant and Coronal polishing within 90-days following successful completion of her/his introductory period.
4. Must have three years of experience in chair side dental assistance.
5. Must be able to work with confidential information and materials without betraying the trust of client/family and NATIVE HEALTH.

Standard Employment Requirements

1. Must possess a valid and unrestricted Arizona driver’s license (within 30 days of hire if applicant is from out-of-state) with no DUI/DWI or reckless driving convictions in the last five years. No more than two at-fault accidents in the last three years. Must maintain a valid Arizona driver’s license during employment. Must be insurable under NATIVE HEALTH’s liability auto policy.
2. Must pass a criminal background check and obtain a Class I Fingerprint Clearance Card within the initial ninety (90) calendar days of employment and retain a valid card while employed with NATIVE HEALTH.
3. Must pass substance abuse testing upon employment and submit to random testing during employment.
4. Must provide an updated immunization (IZ) record at the time of employment.
5. Must have a current (within 12 months) Tuberculosis (TB) skin report upon employment and provide an annual update.
6. Must obtain a First Aid/CPR Card within (90) calendar days of employment and maintain a valid CPR Card during employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of dental anatomy, related to oral anatomy, the technical method and procedures of dentistry and the working characteristics of dental instruments and materials to perform a variety of intra-oral procedures including restorative or teeth prepared by dentist.
2. Knowledge and ability to recognize common dental disorders and conditions such as inflamed tissue and tooth decay to perform as directed by dentist intra-oral procedures, which treat these conditions.
3. Knowledge of the front office functions.
4. Skilled in operating and adjusting dental x-ray equipment.
5. Skilled and dexterity in manipulating hand and mechanized dental periodontal instruments and placing materials in patient’s mouth to perform intra-oral procedures such as suture removal and application of rubber dams.
6. Sufficient knowledge of prevention dentistry measures to instruct patients in the common causes of decay and in oral hygiene practices, e.g., brushing and flossing.
7. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
8. Ability to greet all patients/visitors and staff in a positive, friendly, professional and customer-service-oriented manner at all times. 
9. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Additional Information

Native Health is an EEOC, Employment-At-Will, and Native American Preference employer.  A Drug Free and Commercial Smoke-Free work environment.