Dental Receptionist - Internal Closing: 10/27/26

Ponca Tribe of Nebraska•Omaha, NE

3d•$16 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Receptionist is primarily responsible for appointment scheduling, computer data entry, customer service, and referrals at the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska’s dental clinic in Omaha. The role includes receiving patients, assisting them with medical history statements, maintaining patient records, entering information into dental software, and performing general clinic office duties. The position may be classified at different pay tiers depending on dental assisting qualifications and experience. A receptionist hired as an OCAN Dental Assistant has a primary pay rate for Dental Receptionist duties and receives the applicable Dental Assistant pay rate only while performing Dental Assistant duties, in half-day increments. When working as a Dental Assistant, the employee performs chairside and related clinical duties, including assisting with procedures, radiographs, infection control, instrument sterilization, equipment and supply maintenance, patient education, and support for hygienists.

Requirements

For Tier I Dental Receptionist: high school diploma or GED.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Valid driver's license and ability to be insured.
Successfully pass drug and alcohol testing, motor vehicle, education, character, and criminal background checks.
Ability and willingness to travel.
For Tier II Unlicensed Dental Assistant: be of legal age and have a high school diploma or GED.
For Tier II Unlicensed Dental Assistant: two years of general dentistry chairside experience within the last five years, or completion of an externship with the Ponca Dental Clinic.
For Tier II Unlicensed Dental Assistant: ability to perform assigned duties independently or with minimal supervision.
For Tier II Unlicensed Dental Assistant: computer skills or willingness to learn the dental clinic’s computer programs.
For Tier II Unlicensed Dental Assistant: X-ray certification and knowledge of dental assisting state statutes and codes.
For Tier II Unlicensed Dental Assistant: successfully pass drug and alcohol testing, education, character, and criminal background checks; obtain CPR certification within three months of hire; and be able and willing to travel.
For Tier III Unlicensed Dental Assistant: meet all Tier II qualifications and have five years of experience as a Dental Assistant.
For Tier IV Licensed Dental Assistant: meet all Tier III qualifications and satisfy one of the listed credential or experience pathways: pass the Dental Assisting National Board CDA exam; hold a Dental Assistant Certificate from an accredited program or school; or have earned 1,500 hours of dental assistant experience within the past five years; and have applied for and been granted a Nebraska license to practice as a Dental Assistant.
For Tier IV Expanded Scope Function: complete all listed Nebraska-approved courses or achieve reciprocity, covering impressions for fixed prosthodontics; impressions and minor adjustment for removable prostheses; cementing prefabricated fixed prostheses on primary teeth; and monitoring and administration of nitrous oxide.
For Tier V Expanded Function Restorative Level 1 Permit: hold the permit, which allows placement of one-surface restorations.
For Tier V Expanded Function Restorative Level 2 Permit: hold the Level 1 permit and the Level 2 permit, which allows placement of complex restorations.

Nice To Haves

Customer service or patient care experience.
One year of experience with a dental software program.
One year of experience working with Native Americans or Native American organizations.
Dental Assistant Certificate from an accredited college.
Experience using Dentrix office management software and MiPACs imaging software.
Experience with digital scanners.
Coronal polishing certification.
Preference is given to Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members or members of a federally recognized tribe; all qualified individuals are eligible.

Responsibilities

Schedule dental appointments and receive patients presenting to the clinic for treatment.
Assist patients in completing medical history statements and record examination and treatment information as relayed by the dentist.
Retrieve, compile, organize, and enter patient data and statistical information into dental software.
Answer telephone calls, record messages, handle incoming and outgoing mail, fax documents, and process invoices.
Develop good working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and management in a team-oriented environment.
When assigned Dental Assistant duties, assist dentists chairside by anticipating treatment needs and passing instruments, medications, and materials.
Support dental procedures by retracting tissue, tongue, and cheek; keeping the operating area clear; and using suction to prevent saliva and oral debris buildup.
Complete tasks assigned by the dentist responsibly and in a timely manner.
Review patient medical histories, assist with legal documents, and record examination and treatment information as directed.
Apply rubber dams and place cotton rolls to isolate operative sites.
Take preliminary impressions, modify impression trays, pour and trim models, make custom impression trays, and perform other assigned laboratory work.
Follow infection-control protocols; clean, sharpen, sterilize, and prepare dental instruments.
Order supplies, maintain inventory, address equipment problems, and regularly clean and maintain dental equipment.
Teach patients or parents preventive dental care, including brushing and flossing techniques, use of disclosing tablets, and common causes of decay and their relationship to diet.
Help ensure compliance with Nebraska radiation regulations and maintain appropriate logs.
Perform reception duties related to scheduling, patient reception, telephone calls, and documentation for billing.
Take radiographic images as directed; operate, maintain, and adjust dental X-ray equipment and materials; position patients; and expose intraoral and extraoral radiographs.
Perform coronal polishing.
Assist hygienists with recording probe depths, taking radiographs, polishing, and seating patients.
Perform other duties as assigned.