Dental Assistant

Pokagon Band of Potawatomi; Dowagiac (MI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading health services provider as a Dental Assistant. The role involves preparing treatment rooms, assisting with patient care, and ensuring compliance with dental practice regulations. This position offers opportunities for professional growth with excellent benefits, including paid education and a comprehensive employee benefits program.

Benefits

15 paid holidays

Generous paid time off

Health insurance with low premiums

401(k) and pension plan

Qualifications

• Completion of Dental Assistant program with x-ray certification.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare treatment room and patients for dental procedures.
• Document dental care services and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Maintain dental supplies inventory and ensure equipment operation.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Dental Assistant with x-ray certification

Tools

MS Office Applications

Electronic Dental Records

Job description

Join to apply for the Dental Assistant role at Pokagon Band of Potawatomi

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Join to apply for the Dental Assistant role at Pokagon Band of Potawatomi

At Pokagon Health Services, we offer patient-centered care in a friendly environment. We provide opportunities for professional growth through paid continuing education and licensure. Our employee benefits program is unmatched in the area and includes 15 paid holidays, generous paid time off, health insurance with low premiums, 401(k), pension plan, and more!

Position Summary: Supports dental care delivery by preparing treatment room, patient, instruments, and materials; passing instruments and materials; performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act.

Essential Functions

Tier 1 – PB 5

• Complete procedures as listed in compliance with the Michigan Dental Practice act.
• Prepare treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols.
• Prepare patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping patient.
• Provide information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
• Provide instrumentation by sterilizing and delivering instruments to treatment area; positioning instruments for dentist's access; suctioning; passing instruments.
• Provide needed materials and supplies as directed by the supervising dentist.
• Provide diagnostic information by exposing and developing radiographic studies, pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts.
• Help dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining C.P.R. certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory.
• Educate patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative instructions.
• Document dental care services by charting in patient records as directed by supervising dentist.
• Maintain patient confidence by keeping information confidential.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protect patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Ensure operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Maintain dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
• Conserve dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related tasks as needed.
  
  

Tier 2 – PB 6

Completion of Nitrous Certification

• Demonstrate proven and safe protocols for nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation, including the calculation of nitrous oxide gas used; pharmacology, biochemistry, and anatomy of nitrous oxide administration, emergency procedures, and the mechanics of operating a nitrous unit.
• Demonstrate patient monitoring and proper use of special equipment.
• Understand airway management, including signs of an impending emergency.
• Demonstrate strategies for detecting Nitrous in the office environment. Understand indication and contraindication for individual patient sedation.
  
  

Tier 3 – PB 7

Completion of IHS Basic Restorative Course or Registered Dental Assistant in the State of MI

Basic Restorative Course

• Understanding of tooth morphology/structure and the materials used to restore them.
• Place and finish Class I B amalgam, Class V B amalgam, Class I O amalgam, Class II amalgam, Class III composite, Class V composite.
  
  

Composite Only Course

• Understanding of the basic concepts of occlusion as they apply to restorative dentistry.
• Be able to place and finish Class I and Class II composite restorations and composite restorations involving the incisal angle.
• Understanding of the current state-of-the-art dentinal bonding agents.
  
  

Registered Dental Assistant

• Placing, condensing, and carving amalgam restorations.
• Removing sutures.
• Cementing orthodontic bands or initial placement of orthodontic brackets and attachments for aligners.
• Placing Class I resin bonded restorations, occlusal adjustment, finishing and polishing with non-tissue cutting slow speed rotary hand pieces.
• Taking final impression for indirect restoration and prosthesis including bite registration, intra-oral imaging, and in-office fabrication of restorations.
• Assisting and monitoring the administration of nitrous oxide analgesia.
• Placing and removing non-epinephrine retraction cords or materials.
• Drying endodontic canals with absorbent points.
• Applying cavity liners and bases.
• Taking impressions for intraoral appliances including bite registrations.
• Placing and removing matrices and wedges.
• Taking digital scans for final restoration or intra-oral appliances.
• Preliminary examination including performing pulp vitality testing.
• Adjusting and polishing contacts and occlusion of indirect restoration before cementation by the dentist.
• Applying desensitizing agents.
• Etching and placing adhesives before placement of orthodontic brackets and attachments for aligners.
• Applying anticariogenic agents including, but not limited to, sealants, fluoride varnish, and fluoride applications.
• Instructing in the use and care of dental appliances.
• Placing and removing dental dam.
• Trial sizing of orthodontic bands.
• Temporary cementing and removing temporary crowns and bands.
• Taking impressions or digital scans for study and opposing models and matrices for temporary crowns and bridges.
• Fabricating temporary restorations, temporary crowns, and temporary bridges.
• Placing a nonmetallic temporary restoration with non-tissue cutting instruments.
• Applying nonprescription topical anesthetic.
• Removing excess temporary cement from supragingival surfaces of a tooth with hand instruments only.
• Polish assigned teeth with a slow-speed rotary handpiece immediately before an acid etch procedure.
• Polishing and contouring of sealants with a slow speed rotary hand piece immediately following a procedure for occlusal adjustment.
• Provide nutritional counseling.
• Dispense orthodontic aligners.
  
  

Tier 4 – PB 8

Completion of IHS Advanced Restorative course and/or Denture Repair & Adjustment course

Advanced Restorative Course

• Understanding of the basic concepts of occlusion as they apply to restorative dentistry.
• Be able to place and finish cusp protected alloys and class IV composite.
• Understanding of the current state-of-the-art dentinal bonding agents.
  
  

Denture Repair & Adjustment course

• Repair dentures (broken teeth, broken bases, broken clasps, etc.)
• Adjust dentures correctly.
  
  

Tier 5 – PB 9

Completion of IHS Periodontal Expanded Function Dental Assistant course

• Detect disease, supra, and subgingival calculus.
• Provide thorough ultrasonic scaling of teeth.
• Accurately code for periodontal and hygiene procedures.
• Recommend effective toothpastes, mouth rinses, and oral hygiene aids to patients.
• Motivate patients to improve plaque removal and periodontal health.
  
  

Non-Essential Functions

• Fill in at the front desk, when necessary.
• Perform other related functions as assigned.
  
  

Equipment

• Standard office equipment
• Systems used: MS Office Applications, Internet, and Electronic Dental Record
  
  

Position Requirements

Tier 1

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Dental Assistant with x-ray certification in the State of Michigan.
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, and the ability to speak effectively and respond to questions.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience preferred.
  
  

Tier 2

Nitrous certification

Complete a CODA-accredited Course That Includes The Following

• Three hours of didactic instruction meeting state curriculum requirements
• Demonstrated clinical competence on at least five (5) patients under the direct supervision of a licensed Indiana dentist and are in good standing for EFDA
• An affidavit certifying competency signed by the supervising dentist
  
  

Tier 3

Completion of IHS Basic Restorative course, IHS Composite Only course or Registered Dental Assistant in the State of Michigan

Tier 4

Completion of IHS Advanced Restorative course and/or Denture Repair & Adjustment course

Tier 5

Completion of IHS Periodontal Expanded Function Dental Assistant course

Indian Preference

• Pokagon Band Preference Code applies.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Health Care Provider

• Industries

  Government Administration

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