Health - Dental Assistant II (2)

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians; Saint Ignace (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is seeking a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) to provide chairside support across multiple dental procedures in a clinical setting.

You will operate X-ray equipment, assist the dentist, and help maintain infection control and sterilization standards while ensuring accurate charting in Dentrix. The role requires patient education, strong communication, and the ability to work well within a team.

Qualifications

• Must be able to demonstrate competency in all areas of dental assisting.
• Excellent communication and public relations skills required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of dental equipment/instruments and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Welcomes and seats patients, takes vitals and helps arrange follow-up care.
• Provides comprehensive chairside assistance during dental treatments.
• Operates dental X-ray equipment and processes radiographs.
• Maintains sterilization and infection control procedures.
• Assists with charting in Dentrix and pre-/post-treatment education.

Education

Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)

Associate's degree preferred

High School diploma or equivalent

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: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• 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 passesinstruments 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: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

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.