What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dental Assistant-HHK-Sacaton position at Gila River Health Care?
Position Summary: Provides assistance to a Dentist in conducting patient examinations and operations. Educates patients regarding preventative dental care and health information in addition to explaining post-operation instructions. Responsible for cleaning and organizing all necessary dental instruments and materials.
Critical Tasks:
- Receives patients, reviews medical history, and determines patient needs. Makes appropriate updates to patient medical history as needed.
- Provides patients with preventative dental care and health information and explains post-operation instructions.
- In accordance with dentist’s directions, records all relevant patient examination information.
- Provides proper protective apparel to patients and conducts radiographs according to establishes procedures.
- Organizes and arranges equipment and materials for dentist ahead of examinations and operations.
- Provides assistance to the dentist during examinations by retracting patient’s cheek, tongue, or other tissues that may obstruct the dentist’s examination. Also passes instruments and responds to requests from the dentist.
- Mixes materials, applies fluoride and other chemicals, and operates suction unit for dentist.
- Cleans and stores instruments after use.
- Isolates operative sites as needed using appropriate tools and materials.
- Performs other job-related activities as requested.
Required Qualifications:
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Completion of an accredited Dental Assistant program required.
- 1 year of experience as a Dental Assistant preferred.
- Current and continuing BLS training and certifications within 30 days in position.
- Demonstrates ability to relate to diverse cultures and specifically the Gila River Community and/or other Native American cultures and community health services.