Health - Dental Assistant II

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians; Manistique (MI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is seeking a skilled Dental Assistant to provide chairside support across restorative, prosthodontic, surgical, endodontic and periodontal procedures.

You will assist the dentist, manage x-ray imaging, and help with patient education and recordkeeping. Requirements include a High School diploma (Associate’s preferred), 3+ years of dental assisting experience, and CDA certification within the first year.

Qualifications

• Education: HS diploma or equivalent; CDA within first year.
• Minimum 3 years dental assisting experience.
• CDA within first year; background check and pre-employment drug test.
• Native American preferred.

Responsibilities

• Welcomes/seats patients, takes vitals, and coordinates follow-up care.
• Performs initial patient assessments.
• Provides chairside assistance during various dental treatments.
• Operates X-ray equipment; develops, mounts, and identifies films.
• Provides pre/post-treatment education and instructions.
• Delivers preventive services (sealants, counseling, hygiene instructions).
• Passes instruments, retracts tissues, and supports exams/restorations.
• Prepares sterile packs and materials; maintains equipment.
• Prepares impressions and lab work (pour/trim models).
• Manages dental records and ensures infection control.
• Stocks/disposes of materials; ensures proper workspace.
• Assists with medical histories and patient documentation.

Skills

Dental assisting knowledge

Communication skills

Public relations / customer service

Confidentiality

Word processing & spreadsheets

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree preferred

Tools

Dentrix

Job description

Responsible for performing chair-side duties in all phases of dentistry (restorative, prosthodontic, surgery, endodontic, and periodontic). Additionally, this position supports dental procedures, patient care, and office administration.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Welcomes and seats patients, takes vitals and helps arrange follow-up care.
• Performs initial patient assessments.
• Provides comprehensive chairside assistance during a variety of dental treatments.
• Operates dental X-ray equipment to take intra- and extra oral radiographs; develops and finishes radiographs and mounts and identifies x-ray films.
• Provides pre-treatment patient education and relays post-treatment instructions.
• Provides preventive dental services (sealants, nutritional counseling, and toothbrush instructions) at the direction of the dentist
• Provides chair side assistance during oral examinations and restorative treatments: passes instruments and materials to and retrieves them from the dentist; operates oral evacuator and suction tip to keep area of operation clear; retracts tissue, cheek, and tongue.
• Prepares sterile packs, etc.
• Takes preliminary impressions and completes laboratory work (pour/trim models).
• Maintains and sterilizes dental equipment.
• Prepares for delivery and retrieves for placement dental laboratory work.
• Retrieves and stores dental records.
• Follow infection control protocols and procedures.
• Stocks and disposes of dental materials.
• Assists patients in completing medical histories.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists with oral health education for patients.
• Assists in the recording/charting of dental information within Dentrix.
• Assists with training for Dental Assistant Trainee.
• All other job-related duties as assigned.

CONTACTS:

Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor/manager, managers in other departments, customers/patients, and outside vendors/service providers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position medium with the lifting of 50 pounds maximum and frequent lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds. Physical factors include constant manual handling, use of hearing, near/midrange/far vision, depth perception, color/field of vision; frequent standing, walking, sitting, reaching, bending; occasional pushing/pulling, climbing, stooping, kneeling, and typing. Working conditions include frequent exposure to noise and vibration and occasional exposure to air quality. Potential hazards include constant infectious exposure, patient contact, and dental equipment use; frequent exposure to chemicals, needles/syringes, computer, and equipment use; occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts and electric shock Personal protection equipment provided by the employer includes items such as but not limited to, gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields, masks, eye protection, mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, pockets masks, ventilation devices, and other equipment as needed. Immunizations including Hepatitis B vaccination series will be offered to a team member at no cost.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: High School diploma or equivalent. Associate’s degree is preferred.

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of dental assisting experience is required.

Certification/License: Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) within first year of hire. Will be required to undergo and successfully pass a background check. Must maintain a good moral character standing. Will be required to complete and pass pre-employment drug testing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate competency in all areas of dental assisting. Must have a working knowledge of dental assisting. Must have a working knowledge of dental equipment/instruments. Must be able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in a diverse range of audiences and settings. Must have excellent public relations/customer service skills and be able to exhibit a friendly and positive attitude. Must be able to establish and maintain effective communication with co-workers, supervisors, and clients. Must have working knowledge and be able to use word processing and spreadsheet and database software. Must maintain confidentiality. Native American preferred.