Dental Assistant III

Responsibilities

• Provide Dental Assistant health care services to American Indian patients of the Blackfeeth Service Unit.
• Provide chairside dental assisting services to patients according to Indian Health Service/Tribal priorities.
• Provide chairside dental assisting, expose radiographs, take impressions, clean and disinfect operatories in accordance with sound public health practices.
• Document infection control practices and biological indicator test results for the Dental Department equipment.
• Perform dental lab procedures, including, but not limited to: pour primary and final impressions, construct custom trays for impressions, make orthotic appliances or mouthguards with vacuum-formed equipment.
• Provide professional information and education services to patients and to other health services workers as appropriate.
• Clean, disinfect, and sterilize dental instruments according to policies and procedures.
• Provide services and education to both inpatient and outpatient as required.
• Treat children, adults, and geriatric patients, as well as patients who have a medically compromised status.
• Maintain patient records in performance of care consistent with accrediting body requirements and facility billing procedures.
• Seat patients for their appointments, take vital signs, and verify patient ID, medical history changes, and other pre-op duties as assigned.
• Discharge the patient after the procedure, including making new appointments, cleaning the operatory, and any post-operative documentation required by the Dental Program’s Policy and Procedures.

Qualifications

• Dental Assistant Certification from an accredited dental assisting program.
• 3-5 years of experience as a dental assistant.
• Active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Knowledge of all instruments, materials, and procedures normally used in all phases of restorative, prosthodontic, oral surgical, endodontic and periodontal treatment.
• Knowledge of dental anatomy and ability to properly expose and mount diagnostic radiographs.
• Ability to explain to patient’s post-operative instructions, disease prevention techniques, and home care instructions.
• Knowledge of steps and techniques required for the placement of sealants on teeth.
• Knowledge and skill of tooth isolation techniques required to maintain a dry field of placement of restorations and sealants.
• Knowledge of sterilization techniques.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite.