Dental Assistant I/II/III

Job Summary

This position is responsible for assisting dental providers in providing the highest quality dental care to Oyáte Health Center (OHC) patients.  

Essential Functions and Professional Behavior Expectations

• Prepares patient, sterilizes and disinfects instruments, sets up instrument trays, prepares materials, and assists dentist during dental procedures including instrument exchange with the dentist; uses irrigation, suction, and retraction to keep the site of operation clear.
• Takes and records medical and dental histories, and vital signs of patient.
• Exposes dental diagnostic radiographs.
• Makes impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
• Pours and trims study models, fabricates custom impression trays, cleans, and polishes removable appliances, and fabricates temporary restorations.
• Assists dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies.
• Instructs patients in oral hygiene and plaque control.
• Provides postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
• Prepares patient charts and records treatment information.
• Perform coronal polishing of teeth.
• Applies fluoride to teeth.
• Provide instructions for homecare and post-operative care as directed by dentist.
• Monitors and order supplies.
• Schedules appointments, provides administrative support, and maintains clerical records as directed.
• Must comply with federal laws and regulations as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Performs related duties.

 Knowledge Required

• Knowledge of disease prevention and basic dental techniques.
• Knowledge of various dental instruments, ultrasonic, sterilizer, radiograph equipment, etc.
• Knowledge of dental instruments.
• Knowledge of customer service principles.
• Ability to manage multiple demands of the job.
• Skill in oral communication.
• Skill in the provision of customer service.
• Skill in use of job-related equipment and tools.
• Skill in use of personal computer and a variety of job-related software applications. 

Minimum Qualifications Dental Assistant I

• High school diploma or equivalent, and specialized training in the field of work including college courses, certificate program, apprenticeship, etc.
• One (1) year of experience in the occupational field, sufficient to understand the major duties of the position.
• Experience as a dental assistant is preferred, however qualified candidates with no dental assistance experience may be trained on the job.
• Must work towards completion of certification through continuing education.
• Dental Assistant certificate preferred.
• Certificate for coronal polishing preferred.
• Completion of radiation safety course.
• Current BLS certification.
• Must successfully pass a criminal and background check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Minimum Qualifications Dental Assistant II

Education/Relevant Experience: Completion of a formal training program or an associate’s degree and one (1) year of relevant experience; or a high school diploma or GED and three (3) years of relevant experience.

Individuals must have applicable education or experience applying a body of standardized rules, procedures, or operations to perform the full range of standard clerical assignments and resolve recurring problems or to operate and adjust varied equipment for purposes such as performing numerous standardized tests or operations.  

Native American/American Indian Preference in hiring will be applied as defined in title 25 usc 44-46 &474. 

Employment is contingent upon the outcome of all required criminal background checks and pre-employment drug screen. 

 Compliance with our Employee Health Procedure is a condition of employment.  You are required to agree that you will comply with all job-related employee health screening and immunizations prior to your first day of employment.  Jobs require that you have documentation that you have completed the following immunizations prior to your first day of employment: MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella (Chicken Pox), Hepatitis B, Influenza, T-dap (Tetanus - Diphtheria - Pertussis), and COVID-19 vaccination is required.