Expanded Function Dental Assistant

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancaster Family Health Center in Salem, OR is seeking an Expanded Function Dental Assistant to support providers and expand access to care. You will perform advanced clinical functions, chairside support, and ensure efficient patient flow in a busy community health setting.

Responsibilities include patient records, radiographs, charting, instrument setup, infection control, and education on oral hygiene. Competitive benefits and a bilingual-friendly environment are offered.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• BLS certification within 90 days of hire.
• Registration as Surgical Technologist if assisting a Dentist in the operating room.
• EFDA certification within 90 days of employment.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required at a level 10.
• Basic knowledge of dental terminology, anatomy and instruments.
• Four-handed dental assisting with instrument transfer and oral evacuation.
• Proficiency with EDR, Outlook, Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Maintain patient medical records and vital signs as needed.
• Perform complete X-ray procedures and store images in the EDR.
• Set up and record periodontal charting per provider instruction.
• Prepare and set up instruments for examiner’s procedures.
• Mix materials with infection control awareness and cross‑contamination prevention.
• Provide preventive periodontal care including polish, fluoride, and sealants.
• Educate patients on oral hygiene in clinic and Mobile Unit programs.
• Support infection control and sterilization, including autoclaves and operatory cleaning.
• Assist in Orthodontics as needed, including records and retainers.
• Comply with TJC, HRSA, and YVFWC requirements.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High School Diploma or GED

BLS certification

Registration as Surgical Technologist

EFDA certification

Job description

Position Title: Expanded Function Dental Assistant

City: Salem

State/Territory: US-OR

Employment Duration: Full time

Offer Relocation: No

Excempt Status: Non-exempt

ID: 17076

Description:

Join our team as an Expanded Function Dental Assistant at Lancaster Family Health Center in Salem, OR!

EFDAs play a critical role in expanding access to dental services at YVFWC. By performing advanced clinical functions and supporting providers chairside, EFDAs help increase patient throughput, support preventive and restorative care, and contribute directly to YVFWC's mission of delivering equitable, high‑quality dental services to our communities.

Be part of a healthcare organization that believes in making a difference beyond medical care! We\'ve transformed into a leading community health center in the Pacific Northwest with 40+ clinics across Washington and Oregon. We offer a wide range of services such as medical, dental, pharmacy, orthodontia, nutritional counseling, autism screening, and behavioral health. Our holistic model also extends assistance to shelter, energy, weatherization, HIV and AIDS counseling, home visits, and mobile medical/dental clinics.

We invite you to explore our short clips, WE are Yakima - WE are Family and YVFWC - And then we grew, for a glimpse into our dedication to our communities, health, and families!

Position Highlights:

• EMR system is EPIC
• $26.28-$33.47/hour DOE
• Additional pay for your bilingual skills when an ALTA score of 10 is achieved, paid on hours worked
• $6,000.00 Hiring/Retention Bonus Structure
  • At Hire: $1,800.00
  • At 180 days (6 months): $2,400.00
  • At 12 months: $1,800.00
• Bonus will be pro-rated based on Full Time Equivalency (FTE)

Benefits:

• 100% employer-paid health insurance including medical, dental, vision, Rx, 24/7 telemedicine
• Profit sharing & 403(b) retirement plan available
• Generous PTO, 8 paid holidays, and much more!

What You\'ll Do:

• Maintain patient medical records, updating medical history and vital signs as needed
• Conduct complete patient X‑ray procedures including panoramic and cephalometric radiographs, and intraoral photographs. Develop and store the X‑rays in the electronic dental record
• Set up and record periodontal charting per the Provider's instruction
• Prepare and set up instruments and equipment necessary for the patient exam performed by the Provider
• Mix materials needed for the exam with awareness of infection control and cross‑contamination
• Perform preventative periodontal care on patients, including coronal polish, fluoride treatments, and sealants
• Provide education and counsel in oral hygiene for patients in the clinic and Mobile Unit school‑based programs
• Assist in implementing and monitoring the patient infection control program for the clinic, including ensuring the integrity of sterile packaging, sterilizing instruments/equipment, and cleaning autoclaves and operatories
• Assist in Orthodontics as needed, including obtaining patient records, bite registrations, patient models, fabricating orthodontic retainers, and placing/removing ligature ties
• Performs clinical responsibilities in alignment with The Joint Commission (TJC), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and YVFWC requirements
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 90 days of hire
• Registration as a Surgical Technologist if assisting a Dentist in the operating room
• EFDA certification within 90 days of employment required
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required at a level 10
• Basic knowledge of medical/dental terminology, dental anatomy, dental materials and instruments
• Basic knowledge of infection control techniques and of oral health care instruction
• Ability to perform four-handed dental assisting including instrument transfer, oral evacuation, cement mixing, and spatulation
• Strong level of manual dexterity and coordination
• Ability to effectively interact with a variety of patients of all ages, providers, and employees in a professional manner
• Basic proficiency with a variety of computer programs including an Electronic Dental Record (EDR), Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel

Our Mission Statement

Together we transform our communities through compassionate, individualized care, eliminating barriers to health and well-being.

Our mission celebrates inclusivity. We are committed to equal-opportunity employment.

Visit our website at www.yvfwc.com to learn more about our organization!