Dental Assistant

Laguna Healthcare Corporation; New Mexico; Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Laguna Healthcare Corporation seeks a Dental Assistant to provide chairside support, patient education, and maintain clinic operations in New Mexico. You will assist dentists, manage records, and help with sterilization and imaging procedures in a community health setting.

The role requires patient interaction, attention to detail, and ability to work within a multidisciplinary team, with opportunities to grow in dental technology and preventative care.

Qualifications

• One year of professional clinical experience as a Dental Assistant.
• High School Diploma or GED; completion of Dental Assistant program from a US-accredited post-secondary institution.
• New Mexico Dental Assistant Certification or other state certification.
• Current BLS certification.

Responsibilities

• Perform chairside assisting duties for routine dental procedures in general dentistry.
• Collaborate with patient registration/appointment staff to schedule visits and reminders.
• Chart and record all treatments in the electronic dental record.
• Complete dental laboratory work per the dentist’s instructions.
• Clean, package, sterilize and organize dental instruments for storage.
• Prepare patient and operatory for procedures by setting up instruments.
• Operate dental x-ray equipment and intraoral cameras; process and mount radiographs.
• Provide polishing, fluoride treatment, and sealants as prescribed.
• Perform routine dental laboratory procedures including pouring and trimming models.
• Take and record blood pressure; review medical history; document in the electronic record.
• Conduct inventory, order supplies and ensure clinic stock.
• Generate recurring reports related to dental activities (infection control logs).
• Educate patients in prevention of oral disease and post-treatment care.
• Maintain the dental clinic in clean and operative condition.
• Provide routine maintenance on dental equipment.
• Maintain on-line and paper Safety Data Sheets.
• Cross-train and assist with clerical office duties.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Dentrix software

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Dental Assistant program (US accredited)

Tools

Dentrix

MiPACS

RPMS

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Provideshigh-quality and culturally appropriate dental care to patients. This position plays a vital role inimproving oral health outcomes. Workswithin a multi-disciplinary healthcare team and supports the mission ofpromoting wellness in the Laguna community. Supports the dental team byperforming a variety of clerical, clinical maintenance and clinicalfunctions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Perform chair side assisting duties to includeall routine dental procedures in general dentistry.
2. Collaborate with patientregistration/appointment staff to schedule patient visits and reminders.
3. Chart and record all treatment and treatmentplans rendered to patients and refer patients utilizing electronic dentalrecord system(s).
4. Complete dental laboratory work in compliancewith the dentist’s instructions.
5. Clean, package, sterilize and organize alldental instruments for proper storage and use or non-use thereof.
6. Prepare patient and operatory for proper dentalprocedure including setting up the appropriate instruments for plannedprocedures.
7. Operate dental x-ray equipment and intraoralcameras to take intra and extraoral radiographs and photographs, processand mount radiograph films using imaging software.
8. Provide routine polishing, topical fluoridetreatment and place pit and fissure sealants as prescribed by the dentist.
9. Perform routine dental laboratory proceduresincluding pouring and trimming models, constructing custom trays,fabricating base plates and bite rims.
10. Take and record blood pressure. Review medical history with patient andalert provider to any changes. Creates medical history documentation inElectronic Dental Record.
11. Conduct inventory, order and requisitionsupplies and equipment ensuring clinic supplies are maintained.
12. Compile and produce a variety of recurringreports related to dental activities such as infection control logs.
13. Educate and instruct patients in prevention oforal disease and in post-treatment procedures.
14. Maintain the dental clinic in a clean andoperative condition.
15. Provide routine and preventative maintenance onall dental equipment.
16. Maintain on-line and paper Safety Data Sheets.
17. Cross train and assist with clerical office duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1.One (1) year of professionalclinical experience as a Dental Assistant. Experience working in NativeAmerican or underserved community preferred.

2.HighSchool Diploma or GED. Completion of Dental Assistant program from U.S.accredited post-secondary institution.

3.New Mexico DentalAssistant Certification or other state certification.

4.Current BLS certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. 1.Stronginterpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively witha wide range of patients in a diverse community.
2. 2.Techniquesfor dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnicand cultural backgrounds, in person and telephonically.
3. 3.Ability tointeract with staff in a team environment.
4. 4.Comprehensiveknowledge of dental assistant principles and techniques as traditionallypracticed.
5. 5.Knowledgeofethical standards for the delivery of dental care.
6. 6.Ability tomaintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
7. 7.Knowledge ofdental anatomy and terminology and the ability to properly take diagnosticradiographs.
8. 8.Knowledge andskill in adjusting and operating dental radiographic equipment.
9. 9.Ability toexplain post-operative instructions and preventive techniques to patient.
10. 10.Ability towork both independently and in a team environment.
11. 11.Knowledge andskill in current sterilization techniques.
12. 12.Knowledgeand skill in detecting syncope, shock or other reactions to dental treatment inpatients.
13. 13.Effectiveverbal and written communication skills.
14. 14.Proficiencyin use of computer/information technology including computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment.Must include skills in Dentrix, MiPACS, RPMS or equivalent employee healthrecord system .
15. 15.Evidence ofthe practice of a high level of confidentiality.
16. 16.Demonstratedability to handle sensitive and confidential patient information anddocumentation.
17. 17.Judgment anddecision-making ability.
18. 18.Solidanalytical and problem-solving skills.
19. 19.Highattention to detail and accuracy.

This position may besubject to a criminal history background check, a suitability backgroundcheck and/or a credit report check. In addition, some positions are subjectto a more extensive background check to ensure compliance with Public Law101-630 Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act. Candidates must be able to successfully pass all required background checks and drug/alcohol testing to qualify for this position.