Dental Assistant

The Dental Assistant I position provides direct chairside support to the clinic’s Dentist and Dental Hygienist, completing prep work so they can more efficiently care for patients. The Dental Assistant’s duties include completing intake paperwork and updating patient records, sterilizing and organizing dental tools, and assisting during dental procedures.

This position will be part of a new dental care team that will provide dental services at the new and expanded Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy facility in Wheeler, Oregon. The new facility is expected to open in September 2025.

Duties:

• Provides patients and their families with instruction on oral hygiene, oral disease prevention and post-operative instructions, including anticipated next steps and appointment information.
• Sets up operatories and portable unit equipment and ensures that instruments, supplies, and equipment are immediately available for patient care.
• Obtains and enters patient information into electronic dental record, including chief complaint, health history, medications, allergies, vitals, patient pain level.
• Provides direct clinical assistance to Dentists and Dental Hygienists by passing instruments for operative and oral surgery procedures and mixing filling and medicinal materials.
• Exposes x-rays and ensures all x-rays are suitable for diagnosis.
• Takes oral impressions and pours models or scanned impressions.
• Maintains proper infection control practices at all times, including the following areas: PPE, hand hygiene, handling and disposal of sharps and biohazard waste, instrument sterilization, and dental operatory disinfection.
• Communicates with Dentist of their daily schedule and patient information; communicate with dental team about schedule changes and informs providers of changes.
• Communicates expected wait times to patients, Dentists, and receptionists.
• Seats and positions patient in the operatory.
• Assists in new employee training on specific tasks, as needed.
• Effectively cleans and sterilizes instruments and treatment rooms according to clinic policies and procedures and in accordance with State and Federal regulations for infection control.
• Maintains and sends in test for heat sterilization.
• Charts findings and treatment plans under the Dentist’s or Dental Hygienist’s direction.
• Maintains punctual, regular, and predictable attendance.
• Complies with NHC standardized workflows, protocols, HIPAA, OSHA, and safety guidelines.
• Complies with all clinical policies and procedures.
• Performs other administrative duties as assigned.

Skills/Attributes

• Commitment to providing exceptional patient care.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and education.
• Proficiency in the use of the clinic’s dental software.
• Active listener who is interested in being part of a collaborative and patient-centered team.
• Ability to communicate professionally both orally and in writing with a service-oriented approach, sometimes in stressful circumstances.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA policies.
• Must be able to demonstrate a record of reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to learn and/or proficiently use EPIC Electronic Health Records.
• Ability to fluently speak, read, and write in Spanish preferred.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and rapidly changing work environment by prioritizing multiple tasks to perform efficiently and effectively.
• Flexibility to change priorities based on patient and clinic needs.
• Ability to show empathy and understanding toward all patients, including those with special needs.
• Recognize, respect, and work effectively with people from diverse social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds who may have different healthcare preferences and needs.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of Dental Assistant program from an accredited program.

Immunizations:

• Hepatitis B

Physical Requirements:

• Standing/walking; predominant daily position.
• Bending, stooping, lifting, positioning; predominant daily physical activities while performing duties within clinic practice.
• In performing job duties may be exposed to blood and body fluids and hazardous chemicals; sight, auditory, tactile and olfactory senses exposure.
• Operating technical equipment.
• Computer screen, mouse, and keyboard usage.
• Telephone usage.

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Continuing education credits
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Employee mentoring program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Free parking
• Gym membership
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Loan assistance
• Loan repayment program
• On-the-job training
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Wellness program

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Ability to Commute:

• Wheeler, OR 97147 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Wheeler, OR 97147: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person