Dental Assistant (Expanded Function) Advance

Tohono O'odham Nation Healthcare•San Simon, AZ

About The Position

The Dental Assistant provides hands-on assistance to Dentists and completes preparation work to support efficient patient care. Duties include sterilizing and organizing dental tools and assisting during dental procedures. The role is within TONHC and may be organizationally located and duty stationed at a hospital or clinic in Sells, Santa Rosa, San Simon, or Tucson, Arizona. The position may require temporary relocation among TONHC facilities, including Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center. The Dentist assigns work, which is reviewed in detail for accuracy and adherence to instructions and procedures.

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 the bony structures of the head and neck for taking diagnostic radiographs.
Knowledge or ability to recognize common dental disorders and conditions and perform intraoral 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 the use, care, and storage of dental equipment, materials, and instruments, as well as sterilization techniques.
Knowledge of clinic procedures for receiving, routing, and scheduling patients and dismissing them.
Knowledge of preventive dentistry sufficient to instruct patients in oral hygiene, 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.
Manual skill and dexterity to manipulate materials and instruments, remove sutures intraorally, change dressings, take impressions, and perform 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 employment suitability, 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 previous three years.
If required to operate program vehicles, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit.
Depending on department needs, 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 relayed by the Dentist.
Sterilize instruments, materials, and equipment; prepare surgical trays.
Maintain dental equipment in a clean and operable condition.
Prepare and arrange instruments and materials for each treatment, and prepare the patient and operatory.
Remove supragingival tartar, deposits, accretion, and stains from teeth using hand and mechanized instruments.
Take preliminary impressions for study models and modify impression trays as needed.
Pour and trim models from impressions; construct custom impression trays, base plates, and bite rims; and 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 instruction on preventive dental care, common causes of decay, and the relationship between decay and diet.
Record information relayed by the Dentist on prescriptions, laboratory work orders, and other forms for the Dentist's signature; relay post-treatment instructions to patients.
Operate dental radiographic equipment to take intraoral and extraoral radiographs, and develop and mount films.
Present educational and preventive oral health 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.