Part-Time Dental Assistant

State of Oregon; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

The Oregon Youth Authority's MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn seeks a part-time Dental Assistant to join the dental clinic team. You will work chairside with the dentist, perform expanded functions, take radiographs, and educate youth on oral health, supporting a trauma-informed care approach within a secure juvenile setting.

Applicants should have Oregon radiologic proficiency and EFDA certification, CPR, and either one year of chairside experience or completion of a dental

Qualifications

• One year of support experience with at least six months chairside dental assisting.
• Graduate of a dental assisting program with CPR, Radiologic Proficiency and EFDA certification.
• EFDA certification and Oregon Radiologic Proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Assist the dentist chairside with examinations and restorative, surgical, and preventive procedures, and chart exam findings as relayed by the dentist.
• Position sensors and expose digital radiographs following Oregon Board of Dentistry standards.
• Perform expanded functions, including coronal polishing, placing and removing matrix bands, fabricating temporary crowns, taking preliminary impressions and bite registrations, removing sutures, and replacing orthodontic elastic ties.
• Provide oral hygiene instruction and fluoride treatments that help youth build lasting oral health habits.
• Prepare operatories, instruments, and materials; sterilize instruments; maintain daily instrument counts and sterilization logs; and keep the dentist informed of supply needs.

Skills

Chairside dental assisting

Radiographic proficiency

EFDA expanded functions

CPR certification

Education

Dental Assisting Program Graduate

Radiologic Proficiency Certification

EFDA Certification

Tools

Digital radiography software

Practice management software

Job description

Woodburn, Oregon - MACLAREN YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY CLINIC

Hourly Rate: $27.34 - $34.55 hourly non-PERS

Put your full expanded-function skill set to work where it helps change young lives. The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) is seeking a Dental Assistant to join the dental clinic at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn. Working chairside with our dentist, you will deliver preventive, restorative, and oral health education services to youth ages 12 through 24 in OYA's care. You will regularly practice the expanded functions you trained for, from coronal polishing and temporary crowns to digital radiographs, in a focused clinic with a consistent patient population and a collaborative health services team. Just as important, you will help young people build healthy habits and confidence they carry with them when they return to their communities. OYA's culture of positive human development is grounded in integrity, professionalism, accountability, and respect, and we value the perspectives that people of all backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences bring to our work. If you hold Oregon radiologic proficiency and expanded functions certifications and want dental work with real purpose, we encourage you to apply.

Initial Posting Date

10/15/2026

Agency

Oregon Youth Authority

Salary Range

$4,738.00 - $5,988.00

Position Type

Employee

Position Title

Part-Time Dental Assistant

Job Description

This is a part-time position. The posted salary/pay range for this announcement is based on full-time hours; the salary will be prorated for part-time hours.

What you will do

• Assist the dentist chairside with examinations and restorative, surgical, and preventive procedures, and chart exam findings as relayed by the dentist.
• Position sensors and expose digital radiographs following Oregon Board of Dentistry standards.
• Perform expanded functions, including coronal polishing, placing and removing matrix bands, fabricating and recementing temporary crowns, taking preliminary impressions and bite registrations, removing sutures, and replacing orthodontic elastic ties.
• Provide oral hygiene instruction and fluoride treatments that help youth build lasting oral health habits.
• Prepare operatories, instruments, and materials; sterilize instruments; maintain daily instrument counts and sterilization logs; and keep the dentist informed of supply needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• One year of support experience (six months of which must be chairside dental assisting experience); OR
• A graduate of a dental assisting program AND possession of a valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation card AND Certification for Radiologic Proficiency AND certification by the Dental Assisting National Board for expanded functions (EFDA).

Special Qualifications

• Certification for Radiologic Proficiency from the Oregon State Board of Dentistry
• Expanded Functions certified, EFDA, by the Oregon State Board of Dentistry
• Must have and maintain a valid Healthcare Provider level CPR card

Desired Attributes

Note: You do not need to have all of these qualities to be eligible for this position.

• Experience using electronic dental records or practice management software and digital radiography or imaging software.
• Experience performing Oregon expanded functions on patients in a clinical work setting, such as coronal polishing, placing and removing matrix bands, fabricating temporary crowns, and taking preliminary impressions.
• Experience applying infection control and sterilization monitoring procedures, including instrument processing, sterilization logs, and instrument counts
• Experience providing dental care in a correctional, juvenile justice, community health, public health, school-based, hospital, residential, or other safety-net setting.
• Collaborates with a multidisciplinary team (dentist, nursing, medical, and facility staff) to coordinate youth care. (will be assessed at time of interview)
• Manages competing clinic priorities, such as chairside assisting, sterilization, and operatory setup, during a changing schedule while maintaining infection control. (will be assessed at time of interview)
• Communicates with youth in a respectful, encouraging, trauma-informed way, including oral hygiene instruction adapted to each person. (will be assessed at time of interview)
• Maintains professional boundaries, accuracy, and safety awareness in a secure setting. (will be assessed at time of interview)
• Demonstrates commitment to equitable, culturally responsive care for youth of all backgrounds. (will be assessed at time of interview)

Additional Information

• Open Until Filled: This recruitment will remain open until filled. Our first application screening is scheduled for October 29, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. but we may close the announcement at any time after this date when we have received an adequate number of applications. We cannot guarantee that we will consider applications received after this screening date. We encourage interested applicants not to delay in applying.
• Part-Time: This is a part-time position that is scheduled to work up to 30 hours per week. Benefits will be prorated according to the number of hours worked. The posted salary/pay range for this announcement is based on full-time hours; the salary will be prorated for part-time hours.
• For a complete list of duties and responsibilities, please contact HR Recruitment at [e-mail]
• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill multiple, current, and future vacancies.
• Your application materials are used to determine your starting salary range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying. For more information on pay equity, click here.
• The salary range listed is the non-PERS participating rate. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.
• This position receives annual increases on anniversary date until the maximum of the salary range is reached.
• This position is part of the state's management team.
• Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.

Our Amazing Benefits Include

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, vision, and dental plans for you and your family. Additional benefits include life insurance, short- and long-term disability, deferred compensation savings plans, and flexible spending accounts for health and childcare.
• Generous Paid Time Off: 11 holidays, 3 personal business days, monthly sick leave and vacation leave that increases with years of service.
• Retirement Benefits: Membership in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Wellness Resources: Support for work-life balance, health, and overall well-being.
• Career Development: Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• Commuting: Access to Get There - Oregon’s carpool matching tool and trip planner.
• Student Loan Forgiveness: Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

OYA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be individualized based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. The more diverse we are, the better our work will be.

Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process. For assistance regarding reasonable accommodation or for alternative format please contact OYA Recruitment at 971-345-1236. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.

Pre-employment Checks

In keeping with our mission, OYA will conduct a criminal record check, per OAR 416 Division 800, a driving record background check and a vulnerable population abuse and neglect check. Information obtained about an individual is confidential. An individual who refuses to consent to a criminal records/background check shall be disqualified from consideration in the position for which you applied. All applicants are subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as fingerprint based on criminal records check, pre-employment drug screening and/or education verification as required for the position.

In 2003 Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), the first federal civil statue focused specifically on addressing sexual violence in juvenile facilities, jails, prisons, and other facilities. In recognition of the rights, safety, and well-being of the youth we serve you will be asked specific questions about your background to ensure our hiring and promotion practices comply with the National PREA standards.

All positions in OYA will require the incumbent to serve as a "mandatory reporter" of child abuse.

Visa Sponsorship

We do not offer Visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. OYA uses E-Verify to confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States.