Dental Assistant Or Dental Assistant Trainee

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.

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: Dental Assistant Trainee-$18.39/hr. Dental Assistant: Salary: $21.29-$28.74/ per hour, Depends on Experience

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
• 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

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.