KETCHIKAN INDIAN COMMUNITY (KIC) - TRIBAL HEALTH CLINIC

POSITION TITLE:DENTAL ASSISTANT

TYPE OF POSITION:FULL-TIME PERMANENT

INDIAN PREFERENCE:In accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934. Applicants must provide verification.

SUPERVISORY POSITION:Yes ( )No ( X )

SUPERVISOR:Lead Dental Assistant

INTRODUCTION

This position is located in the KIC Tribal Health Clinic in KetchikanAlaska. Performs chair-side assistance duties in all phases of restorative, prosthodontics, surgical, endodontic, interceptive orthodontic and periodontal treatments as provided in general dentistry. In addition, has clinical maintenance, record keeping responsibilities, and other duties as assigned.

MAJOR DUTIES

  1. Receives and routes patients, and schedules appointments.
  1. Records information related to medical history of patient; charts examination and treatment information as relayed by dentist.
  1. Maintains dental equipment in a clean and operative condition; properly stores and maintains adequate levels of supplies.
  1. Operatory maintained in neat orderly fashion and within standards for clean dental procedures.
  1. Sterilizes instruments, materials and equipment; prepares surgical trays.
  1. Properly lays out all instruments and materials needed for each treatment; prepares patient and operator.
  1. Obtains and records pre-operative and post-operative pressure and pulse of oral surgery patients as instructed by dentist or indication of hypertension in patient medical history.
  1. Assists dentist at chair-side as required in all phases of general dentistry, utilizing techniques for four-handed sit-down dentistry. Passes instruments and materials to and retrieves them from the dentist; keeps intra-oral area of operation clear using high speed evacuator, suction tip and irrigation; retracts tissue, tongue and cheek. In surgical procedures maintains aseptic condition, stabilizes tissue for dentist and cuts sutures. Keeps alert to condition of patient during treatment for signs of fainting, shock or other distress.
  1. Performs the following intra-oral procedures as directed by dentists; takes preliminary impressions for study models, removes sutures, and places and removes rubber dams, periopacks and matrix bands and wedges.

c:\JobDescription\DentalAsst (11/01)

  1. Relays dentist’s instructions to patient for post-treatment care. Instructs patient in brushing and flossing techniques, care of prosthodontics appliances, and common causes of tooth decay.
  1. Operates dental x-ray equipment to take intra and extra-oral radiographs, develops and finishes films.

MAJOR DUTIES (Cont.)

  1. Maintains a variety of recurring data reports related to dental activities.
  1. Records information relayed by dentist on prescriptions and other forms for signature of dentist.
  1. Pours and trims models for impressions, and constructs custom impressions trays.
  1. Removes plaque and stain with a rubber cup prophylaxis and floss, and administers topical fluoride gel treatments.
  1. Monitors patient’s vital signs and gal flow meters when dentist administering N2O-O2 analgesia.
  1. Performs other related duties as assigned by Dentist or Lead Dental Assistant.

MAJOR DUTIES – EXPANDED FUNCTIONS

Performs oral prophylaxis utilizing both hand instruments and cavitron to remove supre- and subgingival calculus.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts are with patients, Clinic employees, staff and volunteer dentists, and student dental assistants.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Long periods of bending, standing, and walking are required. Management of child patient behavior is stressful and tedious.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work involves danger of exposure to radiation, communicable disease and flying debris. Incumbent must wear protective devices such as lead shields to protect against radiation, facemasks, and surgical gloves to protect from communicable diseases and safety eyeglasses to protect eyes from flying debris. Employee is required to have vaccination for Hepatitis B. Safety precautions for employees such as blood drawing for screening of various diseases such as hepatitis, required immunizations, etc. are necessary.

EDUCATION

Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Any experience in medical setting preferred.

Individual must be able to pass a pre-hire drug screen and

Full background investigation

Native Preference in accordance to P.L. 93-638

Applications to:Ketchikan Indian Community

Attn: Human Resources

2960 Tongass Avenue

Ketchikan, AK 99901

Fax: 907-228-5245

Closing date:Monday, July 25, 2011

c:\JobDescription\DentalAsst (11/01)