Dental Assistant III

Neighborhood Health Center is a non-profit organization in Portland, OR serving underserved patients in primary care, internal medicine, dental services, and more. Our patient-centered approach honors each individual’s unique needs and circumstances. We provide whole-person care, prevention, and ongoing support through integrated clinical teams working in partnership with patients, families, and communities.

About the role

This position provides direct chairside support to Dentists and/or Hygienists in the delivery of dental care. The Dental Assistant III may also help direct Dental Assistants I and II in patient care and clinic duties.

Responsibilities

• Provides patients and families with instruction on oral hygiene, disease prevention, and post-operative instructions, including next steps and appointment details.
• Sets up operatories and portable unit equipment; ensures instruments, supplies, and equipment are immediately available for patient care.
• Obtains and enters patient information into the electronic dental record: chief complaint, health history, medications, allergies, vitals, and pain level.
• Provides direct clinical assistance to dentists and hygienists via 4-handed dentistry, including passing instruments for operative and oral surgery procedures and mixing filling and medicinal materials.
• Performs expanded duty functions such as child and adult rubber cup oral prophylaxis.
• Places temporary restorative material in teeth under dentist direction; places and removes matrix retainers; removes temporary crowns and cleans teeth for final cementation; performs preliminary crown fittings.
• Takes oral impressions and pours models.
• Places pit and fissure sealants (when sealant certified) under the direction and review of a Dentist or Dental Hygienist.
• Exposes x-rays and ensures all x-rays are suitable for diagnosis.
• Maintains proper infection control practices: PPE, hand hygiene, sharps and biohazard waste handling/disposal, instrument sterilization, and operatory disinfection.
• Communicates daily schedule and patient information to the Dentist; informs the dental team of schedule changes.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of Dental Assistant training.
• One year of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid, unencumbered Oregon EFDA (Expanded Function Dental Assistant) certificate.
• Sealant certification (NHC provides in-house training for hires without it).
• Certification of Radiologic proficiency issued by the Oregon State Board of Dental Examiners.
• Current BLS for Healthcare Providers/CPR certification.

Skills

• Fluent Spanish (speak, read, write) highly preferred.
• Professional oral and written communication with a service-oriented approach, even in stressful circumstances.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA policies.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple phone lines.
• Basic arithmetic skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Adaptability to changing information, policies, and procedures.
• Sensitivity to the population and patients served.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Proficiency or ability to learn Epic Electronic Health Record.

Benefits

• 20 days of PTO (based on full-time employment).
• 9 paid holidays.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Quarterly wellness reimbursements.
• Generous 401k retirement plan with employer match.
• Employer-paid disability and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Neighborhood Health Center has been voted a Top Workplace by employees in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Schedule

Full-time, non-exempt, on-site position. Four 10-hour days per week; closed on weekends.

Language differential eligible.

Working Conditions

• Full-time positions may be scheduled for 40 hours per week with 4/10-hour workdays; occasional weekend availability may be required.
• Moderate to loud noise level; exposure to toxic chemicals for infection control, bloodborne pathogens, and contaminated sharp instruments.

Physical Demands

• Frequently lift, move, push, or pull objects/equipment/supplies weighing 20–25 pounds, occasionally up to 40–50 pounds.
• Full range of body motion: walking, standing, moving, stooping, reaching, bending, and sitting for extended periods.
• Manual dexterity for safe performance of skills and equipment manipulation.
• Visual acuity to see minor details from a distance and differentiate colors, shades, brightness, textures, and depth.
• Auditory acuity to hear and understand language and communicate with multiple parties.

Employment offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks, background checks, drug screening, tuberculosis screening, and any position-specific credentialing or licensure requirements.