Dental Assistant

Department:Dental

Reports to:Director of Dental

FLSA Status:Non-Exempt

Type of Position:Full-Time

Revised Date:05/19/2022

MISSION & VISION STATEMENT:

The Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation (KPHC) is established for the purposes of carrying out the vision and mission of the Santo Domingo Health Center (SDHC). The MISSION of KPHC is:  “ENSURING HEALTH & WELLNESS THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE WITH RESPECT FOR CULTURE” and the VISION OF KPHC is:  “HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY COMMUNITY, and HEALTHY LIFESTYLE”.

POSITION PURPOSE:

The purpose of this position is to support the dental team by performing a range of clinical functions.  This position allows the dental team to function more efficiently and better serve the intended population.

PERFOMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

In performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of the Kewa Pueblo Health Center are expected to conform to the following:

• Uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
• Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
• Interact in an honest, trustworthy and dependable manner with patients, employees and vendors.
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Maintain a current insurable driver’s license.
• Comply with all Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation and Santo Domingo Health Center policies and procedures, as well

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists chair side with pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients, fully anticipating the dentist’s need for various instruments, materials, and services.
• Documents all examination information and treatments performed in electronic health record.
• Orders necessary supplies and keeps Health Center properly stocked at all times.
• Maintains all Health Center areas including minor adjustments and cleanliness of Health Center areas.
• Keeps all instruments sharpened and properly cleaned/sterilized.
• Takes impressions for study models, pours and trims models, fabricates custom trays and bite rims.
• Exposes intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs (if certified).
• Performs rubber cup coronal polishing (if certified) and applies topical fluoride treatments as recommended by the treating dentist and/hygienist.
• Measures and records blood pressure.
• Maintains a variety of reports related to dental activities.
• Relays to patient, post treatment instructions as well as motivates and instructs patients in proper brushing and flossing techniques, care of orthodontic appliances and common causes of tooth decay.
• Schedules dental patients for care and calls patients as needed.
• Attends staff meetings as required.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Certificate from an Accredited Dental Assisting teaching institute.

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years working in a dental office setting with experience in accessing, evaluating and take appropriate measures to assist, teach and follow-up on preventative dental care.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Qualifications:

•         Must maintain BLS certification at all times

•         Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, for communicating with clinical personnel, patients,   visitors, and other delegates

•         Excellent customer service skills

•         Proficient use of Microsoft Office

•         Knowledge of all routine and specialty instruments and procedures in order to prepare for and assist with   normal clinical procedures.

•         Skill and dexterity in performing all intra-oral and extra-oral techniques.

•         Knowledge of dental terminology and dental anatomy in order to accurately record treatment and examination information.

•        A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive  employment references from previous and current employers.

•        Ability to perform other duties as assigned.

• Familiarity with the mandatory reporting requirements under the Indian Child Protection Act, with regards to suspected incidence of child abuse or child neglect.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Extensive skills and knowledge on all aspect of dental assisting.
• Bilingual skills in English and the Keres native language.
• Prior experience working with Indian Health Services (IHS), a Tribe or Tribal Organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. This position may be exposed to certain health risks that are inherent when working within a health center facility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk and hear. There may be prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading, as well as driving or riding in transport vehicles. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with patients, visitors and staff.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

There are a number of deadlines associated with this position. The employee must also multi-task and interact with a wider variety of people on various and, at times, complicated issues. 

OTHER:

All employees must uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent. This position has access to sensitive information and a breach of these principles will be grounds for immediate termination.

Disclaimer:  The information on this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees in this position.  It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Employees will be asked to perform other duties as needed.

Salary Range:  $26.24 - $39.36