Dental Assistant - Cherokee Nation

Assists the Dentist in providing a wide range of dental procedures within the boundaries of competence, based on documented education, training, supervised experience, state and national professional credentials, and appropriate professional experience. Provides chair side services, educational information, cleaning and sterilizing equipment and areas, and clerical assistance.

Routine duties shall include providing health care services to individuals eligible for services in accordance with the self-governance compact and funding agreement between the Cherokee Nation and United States executed under the authority of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.  Practices only within the boundaries of competence, based on documented education, training, supervised experience, state and national professional credentials, and appropriate professional experience.  Cleans and disinfects patient area before and after each patient according to infection control and any other applicable guidelines.  Arranges dental instruments and materials in order to assist the dentist in providing uninterrupted treatment to patients.  Cleans, disinfects, and sterilizes instruments, equipment, counter tops, and all other related items to maintain the cleanliness of the clinic.  Provides educational information to the patient regarding required treatment, current treatment, and post-treatment care.  Cleans and polishes teeth; applies topical fluoride to assist in preventing cavities. Operates ultrasound sealer (Cavitron) and uses hand instruments to remove visible calculus within scope of practice.  Provides chair side assistance to any staff member as needed. May place rubber dams on indicated teeth in proper manner.  Orders dental and clerical supplies as needed and maintains a prescribed inventory.  Schedules appointments for patients and helps patients fill out dental forms if needed.  Maintains patient records, clinic files, and other documents as required.  Provides clerical assistance by answering phones, retrieving and preparing charts, typing, filing, and receiving and dismissing patients.  Takes, exposes, processes, and mounts X-rays within scope of practice. Records pertinent information on radiographs.  Assists in taking impressions, pours and trims casts, in the preparation of study models; and performs other basic laboratory procedures as needed.  Cleans, polishes, and applies topical fluoride and sealants to teeth as instructed within scope of practice. 

Coronal Polishing Certified

Polishes coronal surfaces of teeth, or prepare teeth for band cementation or bonding of brackets utilizing a slow speed rotary hand piece and rubber cup or brush and applies topical fluoride and desensitizing agents as directed.  Identifies calculus, plaque, and intrinsic and extrinsic stains. Polishes exposed surfaces of teeth. Applies disclosing agents to the exposed surface of teeth. Evaluates the extent of plaque and stain removal. Maintains the polishing armamentarium. Maintains aseptic techniques. Applies various fluoride agents and desensitizing agents.

Sealant Certified

Places pit and fissure dental sealants on permanent and primary dentition as directed. Knows indication/contraindications for sealants. Assesses patient properly before, during, and after sealant placement. Readies teeth for sealants. Properly isolates teeth for sealants. Educates patient and/or parent regarding sealants. Appropriately uses Dental materials for sealant placement. Utilizes proper Infection control practices prior to, during, and after placement of sealants. Knows tooth anatomy and properly maintains sealant armamentarium.

Nitrous Oxide Certified

Assists Dentist or Dental Hygienist with the administration of Nitrous Oxide using various nitrous oxide machines. Assists with Patient status assessment. Introductions of nitrous oxide to the patient. Monitors the patient. Returning of the patient to predation status. Provides post-operative care to the patient and instructions. Maintains C.P.R. Dental Assistants do not administer nitrous oxide.  Follows Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines.  Complies with the applicable state and federal regulations in regard to the security, safety and confidentiality of any behavioral health services record they create, maintain, transfer, or destroy, whether the record is written, taped, computerized, or stored in any other medium.  Maintains verifiable records at an institution or facility that has a published records retention policy that is equal to or exceeds the retention required by federal, tribal, and/or state regulations.  Maintains the confidentiality of any information received from any person or source about a client, unless authorized in writing by the client or required by law or court order.  Provides Human Resources with a copy of all licensures, certifications, renewal of licensures and certifications upon receipt thereof.

SHIFT SUPERVISION

Plans daily work distribution for assigned staff.  Organizes work schedules to provide adequate support staff to assist scheduled Dentists.  Provides training and supervises ongoing training for assigned staff.  Oversees maintenance of clinic supplies to assure adequate supplies are on hand. Maintains supplies and orders replacements as needed.  Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

May be a Lead position.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

High school education; or general education degree (GED).

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

No additional experience is required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

Must obtain a Dental Assistant Permit from the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry within thirty (30) days of employment and maintain throughout employment. Current expanded duty permits for Coronal Polishing, Sealants or Assisting in the Administration of Nitrous Oxide need not reregister. Those with previous Radiation permits only or no expanded functions at all must obtain permits issued by the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry.  Certifications can be obtained from either a program which is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or an Indian Health Service Facility; once obtained must be maintained throughout employment.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Employee must not and will not be under sanction by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) or by the General Services Administration (GSA) or listed on the OIG’s Cumulative Sanction Report, or the GSA’s List of Excluded Providers, or listed on the OIG’s List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

Must meet and maintain pre-employment and periodic background investigation and adjudication for child care.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS     

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb or balance, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.