Part-Time Dental Assistant

State of Oregon•Woodburn, OR

1d•$27 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The Oregon Youth Authority is seeking a part-time Dental Assistant 2 to work in the dental clinic at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn, Oregon. Working chairside with the dentist, the assistant provides preventive, restorative, and oral health education services to youth ages 12 through 24 in OYA’s care. The role regularly uses Oregon-certified expanded functions in a focused clinic with a consistent patient population and a collaborative health services team. The position is scheduled to work up to 30 hours per week; the posted salary range is based on full-time hours and is prorated for part-time hours. OYA describes its work as grounded in positive human development, integrity, professionalism, accountability, and respect. This position supports youth in developing healthy habits and confidence as they return to their communities. The role is part of the state’s management team and requires the incumbent to serve as a mandatory reporter of child abuse. Pre-employment checks include criminal-record, driving-record, and vulnerable-population abuse and neglect checks; additional checks may apply.

Requirements

One year of support experience, including at least six months of chairside dental assisting experience; OR graduation from a dental assisting program, a valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation card, Certification for Radiologic Proficiency, and Dental Assisting National Board expanded functions (EFDA) certification.
Certification for Radiologic Proficiency from the Oregon State Board of Dentistry.
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) certification from the Oregon State Board of Dentistry.
Possess and maintain a valid Healthcare Provider-level CPR card.

Nice To Haves

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.
Ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including dental, nursing, medical, and facility staff, to coordinate youth care.
Ability to manage competing clinic priorities during a changing schedule while maintaining infection control.
Ability to communicate with youth in a respectful, encouraging, trauma-informed way, including adapting oral hygiene instruction to each person.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries, accuracy, and safety awareness in a secure setting.
Commitment to equitable, culturally responsive care for youth of all backgrounds.

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 in accordance with 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 to help youth build lasting oral health habits.
Prepare operatories, instruments, and materials; sterilize instruments; maintain daily instrument counts and sterilization logs; and inform the dentist of supply needs.
Collaborate with the dentist and health services team in providing care to youth. (Collaboration is assessed at interview.)
Manage competing clinic priorities, including chairside assisting, sterilization, and operatory setup, while maintaining infection control. (Assessed at interview.)
Communicate with youth respectfully and encouragingly, using trauma-informed approaches and adapting oral hygiene instruction to each person. (Assessed at interview.)
Maintain professional boundaries, accuracy, and safety awareness in a secure setting. (Assessed at interview.)
Provide equitable, culturally responsive care to youth of all backgrounds. (Assessed at interview.)

Benefits

Low-cost medical, vision, and dental plans for employees and their families.
Life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
Deferred compensation savings plans and flexible spending accounts for health and childcare.
11 paid holidays and 3 personal business days.
Monthly sick leave and vacation leave that increases with years of service.
Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) or Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
Wellness resources supporting work-life balance, health, and overall well-being.
Career development opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
Access to Get There, Oregon’s carpool matching tool and trip planner.
Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).