Dental Assistant (Expanded Function) Advance

Tohono O'odham Nation Healthcare; Sells (AZ); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Tohono O'odham Nation Healthcare is seeking a Dental Assistant to support dentists in general dentistry, including chairside assistance, sterilization, radiography, and patient education. You will greet patients, schedule appointments, and maintain comprehensive patient records.

The role requires a Dental Assistant Radiography certification and at least two years of experience. Preferred certifications include Expanded Function Restorative and Periodontics.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Two years of work experience as a Dental Assistant or equivalent.
• Must possess a Dental Assistant Radiography certification.
• Expanded Function Restorative and Periodontics certificates are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide chairside assistance to the Dentist in all phases of general dentistry.
• Greet patients and schedule appointments; maintain records.
• Record patient medical history and treatment information.
• Sterilize instruments and prepare surgical trays; maintain equipment.
• Take dental radiographs and develop/mount films.
• Take impressions, pour models, and fabricate trays and bite rims.
• Instruct patients on preventive dental care and post-treatment care.
• Maintain reports related to dental activities and assist with charting.

Skills

Chairside assistance

Patient greetings & scheduling

Medical history records

Sterilization & equipment prep

Radiographic procedures

Impressions & trays fabrication

Dental terminology & recordkeeping

HIPAA compliance

Customer service

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Dental Assistant Radiography certification

Expanded Function Restorative certificate (preferred)

Expanded Function Periodontics certificate (preferred)

Tools

Dental radiographic equipment

Electronic Dental Records (EDR)

Job description

PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center.

Position Summary

Responsible for providing hands‑on assistance and support to Dentists and completing preparation work to care for patients efficiently. Sterilizing and organizing dental tools and assisting during dental procedures.

Scope of Work

This position is located within the TONHC. The position may be organizationally located and duty stationed at any one of the Hospital/clinic facilities located in Sells, Arizona, Santa Rosa, Arizona, San Simon, Arizona, or Tucson, Arizona. The Dentist provides assignments, and completed work is reviewed in detail for accuracy and adherence to instructions and procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide chairside assistance to the Dentist in all phases of dental treatment in general dentistry.
• Responsible for greeting patients and scheduling appointments; maintenance and recordkeeping responsibilities.
• Records information related to the medical history of the patient.
• Chart examination and treatment information as relayed by the Dentist.
• Sterilizes instruments, materials, and equipment and prepares surgical trays.
• Maintain dental equipment in a clean and operative condition.
• Prepares and arranges all instruments and materials needed for each treatment; prepares the patient and operatory.
• Remove all supragingival traces of tartar, deposits, accretion, and stains from the teeth with hand and mechanized instruments.
• Take preliminary impressions for study models and modifies impression trays as needed.
• To pour and trim models from impressions; constructs custom impression trays, base plate, and bite rims.
• Constructs custom impression trays, fabricates base plates and bite rims, makes temporary bridges and crowns.
• As directed by the Dentist, removes sutures, applies topical anesthesia, desensitizing agents, medications, and surgical gauze following extractions, and applies and removes periodontal dressing or other sedative dressings.
• Restore teeth prepared by the Dentist; places cavity bases and liners on prepared tooth; and do other restorative work.
• Instructs patient in an age‑appropriate manner on preventative dental care; explains the common causes of decay and its relationship to general diet.
• Records information relayed by the Dentist on prescriptions, laboratory work orders, and other forms for the Dentist's signature; relays to patient Dentist's instructions for post‑treatment care.
• Operates dental radiographic equipment to take intra and extra‑oral radiographs; develops and mounts films.
• Present educational, preventative oral health talks, demonstrations, and visual aids to patients, hospital staff, and community members.
• Maintain a variety of recurring reports related to dental activities.
• Contributes to a team effort and performs other job‑related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, tribal laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of the instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, prosthodontic, oral surgical, endodontic, and periodontal treatment provided in general Dentist.
• Knowledge of the dental anatomy and bony structures of the head and neck, to take diagnostic radiographs.
• Knowledge or ability to recognize common dental disorders and conditions such as inflamed tissue and tooth decay and perform intra‑oral procedures that treat these conditions.
• Knowledge of principles of laboratory technique sufficient to perform required laboratory procedures.
• Knowledge and skill in efficient clinic scheduling, typing, supply ordering, and data gathering.
• Skill in operation and adjustment of dental radiographic equipment.
• Knowledge of the use, care, and storage of dental equipment, materials, and instruments.
• Knowledge of sterilization techniques.
• Knowledge of procedures used in the dental clinic for receiving, routing, and scheduling patients and dismissing patients.
• Sufficient knowledge of preventive dentistry measures to instruct patients in oral hygiene practices such as brushing, flossing, and dietary suggestions.
• Knowledge of and skill in detecting signs of syncope or other reactions to dental treatment.
• Adequate skills to comprehend and manage an Electronic Dental Record.
• Skill and dexterity in manipulating materials and instruments, intra‑orally removing sutures, changing dressings, taking impressions, and performing other procedures.
• Knowledge of basic dental terminology and recordkeeping procedures to enter information on patient records.
• Knowledge of HIPAA‑related rules and regulations.
• Skill in providing superior customer service to external and internal customers.
• Ability to be compassionate and have good communication skills.
• Ability to maintain privileged, confidential information.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma
• Two years work experience as a Dental Assistant or equivalent.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Must possess a Dental Assistant Radiography certification.
• Dental Assistant certificate, preferred.
• Expanded Function Restorative certificate, preferred.
• Expanded Function Periodontics certificate, preferred.
• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background and a National FBI fingerprint check are required to determine suitability for employment, including a 39-month driving record.
• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years).
• If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.
• Based on the department's needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham language and English as a condition of employment.