Dental Assistant

About the role

This Dental Assistant position offers the opportunity to support a long-term federal contract providing high-quality dental care to active military personnel, veterans, and their families. The role focuses on chairside support, accurate clinical documentation, instrument processing, and patient education while working within a collaborative, patient-centered clinical team.

Responsibilities

• Prepare instruments, materials, and treatment rooms for patient visits and planned dental procedures.
• Take and record vital signs, such as blood pressure, in accordance with clinical protocols.
• Accurately document treatments, dental charting, and clinical notes using Dentrix software.
• Maintain dental supplies and equipment by monitoring inventory, requisitioning materials, and ensuring availability for daily operations.
• Clean, package, and sterilize dental instruments, ensuring proper handling and storage in compliance with infection control standards.
• Perform room sterilization and operatory turnover between patients to maintain a safe and hygienic environment.
• Deliver patient education on oral health prevention, treatment plans, and post-treatment care instructions.
• Keep the clinic clean, organized, and fully operable, including performing routine equipment maintenance and reporting issues as needed.
• Collaborate effectively with dentists, hygienists, and other clinical staff to support efficient patient flow and high-quality care.
• Work effectively with multicultural patients and interpreters to ensure clear communication and a positive patient experience.
• Conduct regular inventory checks and support supply management processes to prevent shortages and maintain readiness.

Essential Skills

• At least 24 months of dental assisting experience, or demonstrably equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Graduate of a CODA-accredited dental assistant program.
• DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Proficiency documenting in Dentrix, including dental charting and clinical notes.
• Demonstrated ability to clean, package, and sterilize instruments and ensure proper storage.
• Experience with sterile processing and maintaining aseptic technique in a dental setting.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, and bend for extended periods while performing clinical duties.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple tasks such as instrument processing, room preparation, and supply monitoring.
• Commitment to infection control, safety, and high standards of patient care.
• Interest in a long-term contract opportunity, with potential engagement up to five years.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting dental care for diverse patient populations, including military personnel, veterans, and their families.
• Strong attention to detail in clinical documentation and adherence to protocols.
• Excellent communication skills for delivering clear patient education on prevention and post-treatment care.
• Ability to perform routine equipment maintenance and promptly report issues.

Work Environment

The role is based within a federal healthcare setting and supports dental operations at the Santa Fe Indian Health Center (SFIHC), with potential assignments at Santa Clara Health Center Dental in Española, NM, or Cochiti Health Clinic Dental in Cochiti, NM, as needed. The work takes place in a clinical dental environment equipped with standard dental operatories, sterilization areas, and digital documentation systems, including Dentrix. The position requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, and bending during patient care and instrument processing. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team in a structured, protocol-driven environment focused on safety, infection control, and high-quality service. The dress code follows professional clinical standards, including appropriate clinical attire and personal protective equipment suited to a dental care setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Santa Fe, NM.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $25.00/hr.

Requirements

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Santa Fe, NM.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.