DENTAL ASSISTANT

About Us:

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Job Overview:

The purpose is to facilitate delivery of dental services by assisting the dentists with direct patient care (infants, children, adolescents, adults and geriatric) and the day to day operation of the Dental Clinic.

Salary: $21.29-$28.74/ per hour, Depends on Experience

Responsibilities:

Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job 

• Greets, seats and prepares patient in appropriate treatment operatory 
• Prepares operatory in advance of appointment including instruments, radiographs, hand pieces, charts and supplies 
• Assists at chair-side using 4-handed techniques including tissue retraction, operatory air/water syringe and high-speed evacuation, passing instruments, preparing dental materials, maintaining dry field, etc.  
• Verbally relays post-treatment instruction to patients and provides oral hygiene instruction and education 
• Records examination results using proper charting protocol; completes progress notes when appropriate 
• Responsible for basic laboratory procedures including custom acrylic trays fabrication, occlusal guard fabrication, pouring and trimming of diagnostic casts  
• Cleans, prepares, and maintains operatories, lab, central sterilization and tray set up area  
• Prepares and maintains trays, tubs, instrument packs, mobile carts and supplies in an organized and uniform manner 
• Performs routine basic maintenance of dental equipment hand pieces, autoclave, automatic x-ray developer, high-speed evacuation etc.  
• Takes impressions and bite registrations 
• Places and removes orthodontic ligatures, bands, separators and appliances as directed by treating dentist 

Other Functions 

• Accompanies dentist on village field trips throughout the year 
• Participates in Community Prevention activities i.e. school screening, Headstart, Oral Health Programs, Health Fairs etc. 
• In the absence of the receptionist, answers the telephone, directs calls, takes messages, manages appointment book, and maintains patient flow 
• Other duties as assigned 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

• This position does not require supervisory responsibilities. 

Qualifications:

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required 

• High school diploma or equivalent 
• CPR certificate preferred 
• Radiology certificate preferred 
• Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification: Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) preferred

Experience Required 

• 1.5 years’ of recent dental experience or Dental Assistant training certificate OR successful completion of SEARHC’s Dental Assistant Trainee program

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Knowledge of: 

• Chair Side Dental assisting 
• Dental Radiology 
• Infection Control 

Skills in: 

• Strong oral & written communication skills 
• Advanced levels of hand & eye coordination skills 
• Working level of organizational skills 

Ability to: 

• Communicate with patients and staff 
• Follow written and verbal instructions 
• Treat patients and staff with respect 
• Work well in a team setting

Computer Skills:   

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint 
• Other SEARHC provided programs 

Travel Required:   

Less than 10% travel expected. 

Safety and Risk Management Responsibilities: 

Employees are responsible for complying with safe work rules; reporting all accidents and injuries immediately; cooperating in all accident and injury investigations; reporting defective equipment and unsafe conditions.