Dental Assistant (Expanded Function) Advance

Tohono O•Sells, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Assistant (Expanded Function) Advance provides hands-on assistance to Dentists and completes preparation work to support efficient patient care. Duties include sterilizing and organizing dental instruments and assisting during general dentistry procedures. The position is within the TONHC and may be organizationally located and duty stationed at a facility in Sells, Santa Rosa, San Simon, or Tucson, Arizona. Temporary relocation to other TONHC facilities may be required. The Dentist assigns work, which is reviewed in detail for accuracy and adherence to instructions and procedures. The role also includes patient greeting and scheduling, recordkeeping, preventive oral-health education, dental laboratory tasks, radiography, and maintenance of dental equipment. Additional duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma.
Two years of work experience as a Dental Assistant or equivalent.
Dental Assistant Radiography certification.
Knowledge of Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and tribal laws and regulations.
Knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized procedures used in restorative, prosthodontic, oral surgical, endodontic, and periodontal treatment in general dentistry.
Knowledge of dental anatomy and head and neck bony structures for diagnostic radiographs.
Knowledge or ability to recognize common dental disorders and conditions and perform intra-oral procedures to treat them.
Knowledge of laboratory techniques sufficient to perform required laboratory procedures.
Knowledge and skill in clinic scheduling, typing, supply ordering, and data gathering.
Skill in operating and adjusting dental radiographic equipment.
Knowledge of dental equipment, materials, and instruments, including their use, care, and storage, and of sterilization techniques.
Knowledge of dental clinic procedures for receiving, routing, scheduling, and dismissing patients.
Knowledge of preventive dentistry sufficient to instruct patients in oral hygiene practices, including brushing, flossing, and dietary suggestions.
Knowledge and skill in detecting signs of syncope or other reactions to dental treatment.
Ability to comprehend and manage an Electronic Dental Record.
Dexterity in manipulating materials and instruments, removing sutures intra-orally, changing dressings, taking impressions, and performing other procedures.
Knowledge of basic dental terminology and recordkeeping procedures for entering information on patient records.
Knowledge of HIPAA-related rules and regulations.
Skill in providing superior customer service to internal and external customers.
Compassion and good communication skills.
Ability to maintain privileged and confidential information.
Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with employees and the general public.
Upon recommendation for hire, completion of a criminal background check and National FBI fingerprint check to determine suitability for employment, including a 39-month driving record.
May be required to possess and maintain a valid driver's license, with no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years; if required to operate program vehicles, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements for a driver's permit.
Depending on department needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both Tohono O'odham and English as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Dental Assistant certificate.
Expanded Function Restorative certificate.
Expanded Function Periodontics certificate.

Responsibilities

Provide chairside assistance to the Dentist during all phases of general dentistry treatment.
Greet patients, schedule appointments, and maintain records.
Record patient medical history and chart examination and treatment information as relayed by the Dentist.
Sterilize instruments, materials, and equipment; prepare surgical trays; and keep dental equipment clean and operable.
Prepare and arrange instruments and materials for treatments, and prepare patients and the operatory.
Remove supragingival tartar, deposits, accretion, and stains using hand and mechanized instruments.
Take preliminary impressions, modify impression trays, pour and trim models, and construct custom impression trays, base plates, and bite rims.
Make temporary bridges and crowns.
As directed by the Dentist, remove sutures; apply topical anesthesia, desensitizing agents, medications, and surgical gauze following extractions; and apply or remove periodontal or other sedative dressings.
Restore teeth prepared by the Dentist, place cavity bases and liners, and perform other restorative work.
Provide age-appropriate preventive dental care instruction, explain common causes of decay and the relationship to diet, and relay the Dentist's post-treatment instructions.
Record information for prescriptions, laboratory work orders, and other forms for the Dentist's signature.
Operate dental radiographic equipment to take intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs, and develop and mount films.
Present oral-health education talks, demonstrations, and visual aids to patients, hospital staff, and community members.
Maintain recurring reports related to dental activities.
Contribute to a team effort and perform other job-related duties as assigned.