POSITION SUMMARY:

Assist the dental professionals with the daily operation of the dental clinic in accordance with NARA’s health and wellness objectives for patients and families. To ensure that the provision of dental health services takes place in a professional, non-bias environment and is accomplished efficiently.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist Dentist at chair side, utilizing basic and expanded function dental assistant techniques
• Pass instruments and materials to, and retrieve from, the Dentist
• Keep area of operation clear using high speed evacuator, suction tip and irrigation
• Retract tissue, tongue, and cheek.
• Maintain aseptic condition during surgical procedure, stabilizing tissue, cutting sutures and checking for signs of patient distress such as fainting or shock
• Place and remove rubber dam and applying topical fluoride
• Assist Dentist by operating dental x-ray equipment, taking intraoral and digital radiographs, developing and mounting film, or storing them in appropriate electronic file
• Complete required sterilization procedures
• Maintain dental equipment, operatories, and lab sterilization area
• Package and sterilize instruments.
• Change sterilization and disinfectant solutions according to required schedules
• Change x-ray solutions and clean developer
• Clean and lubricate hand pieces after each use
• Accurately maintain electronic patient charts and records
• Record information as instructed by dental professional
• Prepare other necessary forms
• Help compile pre-authorization documents for dental services
• Assist clinic professionals with various wellness and community education activities
• Assist with community screenings and dental care needs at other NARA sites
• Provide instructions on basic dental care or post-operative care as instructed by Dentist
• Participate in other activities related to dental hygiene education
• To perform miscellaneous duties as assigned by supervisor

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited trade school or job skills training in a certified Dental Assistant program
• Certified Dental Assistant certificate or EFDA certificate; EFDA preferred
• Radiology certificate
• First aid and CPR certificate
• Minimum of one year of work experience in a Dental Assistant position
• Knowledge of disease prevention and basic dental techniques
• Knowledge of various dental instruments, ultrasonic, sterilizer, x-ray machine, and panoramic x-ray machine
• Verbally expressing or exchanging ideas or important instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly
• Often requires working with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm
• Constantly requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands and/or fingers
• Often requires walking or moving about to accomplish tasks
• Ability to remain sedentary for undetermined lengths of time
• NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. All employees must agree to model sobriety, both on and off the job, including no alcohol drinking, no illicit drug use, no marijuana use, and no prescription drug abuse behavior. If in recovery, must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that will be able to model sobriety.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited trade school or job skills training in a certified Dental Assistant program
• Certified Dental Assistant certificate or EFDA certificate; EFDA preferred
• Radiology certificate
• First aid and CPR certificate
• Minimum of one year of work experience in a Dental Assistant position
• Knowledge of disease prevention and basic dental techniques
• Knowledge of various dental instruments, ultrasonic, sterilizer, x-ray machine, and panoramic x-ray machine
• Verbally expressing or exchanging ideas or important instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly
• Often requires working with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm
• Constantly requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands and/or fingers
• Often requires walking or moving about to accomplish tasks
• Ability to remain sedentary for undetermined lengths of time
• NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. All employees must agree to model sobriety, both on and off the job, including no alcohol drinking, no illicit drug use, no marijuana use, and no prescription drug abuse behavior. If in recovery, must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that will be able to model sobriety.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• EFDA certification and sealant certification; ability to obtain EFDA and sealant certification within 6 months of employment
• Familiarity with Native American culture