Dental Assistant

Position Summary: The Dental Assistant supports dental care delivery by preparing the treatment room, patient, instruments, and materials; passing instruments and materials; and performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act.

Essential Functions:

Tier 1 – PB 5

• Complete procedures as listed in compliance with the Michigan Dental Practice act. 
• Prepare treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols.
• Prepare patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping patient.
• Provide information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
• Provide instrumentation by sterilizing and delivering instruments to treatment area; positioning instruments for dentist's access; suctioning; passing instruments.
• Provide needed materials and supplies as directed by the supervising dentist.
• Provide diagnostic information by exposing and developing radiographic studies, pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts.
• Help dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining C.P.R. certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory.
• Educate patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative instructions.
• Document dental care services by charting in patient records as directed by supervising dentist.
• Maintain patient confidence by keeping information confidential.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protect patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Ensure operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Maintain dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
• Conserve dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related tasks as needed.

Tier 2 – PB 6

Completion of Nitrous Certification 

• Demonstrate proven and safe protocols for nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation, including the calculation of nitrous oxide gas used; pharmacology, biochemistry, and anatomy of nitrous oxide administration, emergency procedures, and the mechanics of operating a nitrous unit.  
• Demonstrate patient monitoring and proper use of special equipment. 
• Understand airway management, including signs of an impending emergency. 
• Demonstrate strategies for detecting Nitrous in the office environment.  Understand indication and contraindication for individual patient sedation.  

Tier 3 – PB 7

Completion of IHS Basic Restorative Course or Registered Dental Assistant in the State of MI

Basic Restorative Course:

• Understanding of tooth morphology/structure and the materials used to restore them. 
• Place and finish Class I B amalgam, Class V B amalgam, Class I O amalgam, Class II amalgam, Class III composite, Class V composite. 

Composite Only Course: 

• Understanding of the basic concepts of occlusion as they apply to restorative dentistry. 
• Be able to place and finish Class I and Class II composite restorations and composite restorations involving the incisal angle. 
• Understanding of the current state-of-the-art dentinal bonding agents. 

Registered Dental Assistant: 

• Placing, condensing, and carving amalgam restorations.
• Removing sutures.
• Cementing orthodontic bands or initial placement of orthodontic brackets and attachments for aligners.
• Placing Class I resin bonded restorations, occlusal adjustment, finishing and polishing with non-tissue cutting slow speed rotary hand pieces. 
• Taking final impression for indirect restoration and prosthesis including bite registration, intra-oral imaging, and in-office fabrication of restorations.
• Assisting and monitoring the administration of nitrous oxide analgesia. 
• Placing and removing non-epinephrine retraction cords or materials. 
• Drying endodontic canals with absorbent points. 
• Applying cavity liners and bases. 
• Taking impressions for intraoral appliances including bite registrations. 
• Placing and removing matrices and wedges. 
• Taking digital scans for final restoration or intra-oral appliances. 
• Preliminary examination including performing pulp vitality testing. 
• Adjusting and polishing contacts and occlusion of indirect restoration before cementation by the dentist. 
• Applying desensitizing agents. 
• Etching and placing adhesives before placement of orthodontic brackets and attachments for aligners. 
• Applying anticariogenic agents including, but not limited to, sealants, fluoride varnish, and fluoride applications. 
• Instructing in the use and care of dental appliances. 
• Placing and removing dental dam. 
• Trial sizing of orthodontic bands. 
• Temporary cementing and removing temporary crowns and bands. 
• Taking impressions or digital scans for study and opposing models and matrices for temporary crowns and bridges. 
• Fabricating temporary restorations, temporary crowns, and temporary bridges. 
• Placing a nonmetallic temporary restoration with non-tissue cutting instruments. 
• Applying nonprescription topical anesthetic. 
• Removing excess temporary cement from supragingival surfaces of a tooth with hand instruments only. 
• Polish assigned teeth with a slow-speed rotary handpiece immediately before an acid etch procedure. 
• Polishing and contouring of sealants with a slow speed rotary hand piece immediately following a procedure for occlusal adjustment. 
• Provide nutritional counseling. 
• Dispense orthodontic aligners. 

Tier 4 – PB 8

Completion of IHS Advanced Restorative course and/or Denture Repair & Adjustment course 

Advanced Restorative course: 

• Understanding of the basic concepts of occlusion as they apply to restorative dentistry. 
• Be able to place and finish cusp protected alloys and class IV composite. 
• Understanding of the current state-of-the-art dentinal bonding agents. 

Denture Repair & Adjustment course

• Repair dentures (broken teeth, broken bases, broken clasps, etc.) 
• Adjust dentures correctly. 

Tier 5 – PB 9

Completion of IHS Periodontal Expanded Function Dental Assistant course 

• Detect disease, supra, and subgingival calculus. 
• Provide thorough ultrasonic scaling of teeth. 
• Accurately code for periodontal and hygiene procedures. 
• Recommend effective toothpastes, mouth rinses, and oral hygiene aids to patients. 
• Motivate patients to improve plaque removal and periodontal health. 

Non-Essential Functions:

• Fill in at the front desk, when necessary.
• Perform other related functions as assigned. 

Equipment:

• Standard office equipment
• Systems used: MS Office Applications, Internet, and Electronic Dental Record

Position Requirements: 

Tier 1

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Dental Assistant with x-ray certification in the State of Michigan. 
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, and the ability to speak effectively and respond to questions.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience preferred.

Tier 2

Nitrous certification

Complete a CODA-accredited course that includes the following:

• Three hours of didactic instruction meeting state curriculum requirements
• Demonstrated clinical competence on at least five (5) patients under the direct supervision of a licensed Indiana dentist and are in good standing for EFDA
• An affidavit certifying competency signed by the supervising dentist

Tier 3

Completion of IHS Basic Restorative course, IHS Composite Only course or Registered Dental Assistant in the State of Michigan

Tier 4

Completion of IHS Advanced Restorative course and/or Denture Repair & Adjustment course

Tier 5

Completion of IHS Periodontal Expanded Function Dental Assistant course 

Indian Preference

• Pokagon Band Preference Code applies.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is generally sedentary in nature and will frequently require sitting, however standing and walking will occasionally be necessary.
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to operate equipment.
• Frequently required to talk and hear.

Work environment:

• Work in well-lighted, heated, air-conditioned building.
• May be exposed to blood, body tissue and fluids as well as hazardous substances/ chemicals.
• Exposure to noise of agitated patients, significant work pace/pressure.
• Occasional local travel may be required. 

Competencies:

• Client Focus
• Continuous Learning
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Exemplifying Integrity 
• Planning and Organizing