Pokagon Band of Potwatomi Indians is hiring: Dental Assistant in Dowagiac

At Pokagon Health Services, we offer patient-centered care in a friendly environment. Our employee benefits program is unmatched in the area and includes 15 holidays, paid time off, health insurance with low premiums, co-pays, and deductibles, 401(k), pension plan, and more! We also provide opportunity for professional growth through paid continuing education and licensure.

Position Summary: The Dental Assistant supports dental care delivery by preparing the treatment room, patient, instruments, and materials; passing instruments and materials; and performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act.

Essential Functions:

Tier 1 - PB 5

• Complete procedures as listed in compliance with the Michigan Dental Practice act.
• Prepare treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols.
• Prepare patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping patient.
• Provide information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
• Provide instrumentation by sterilizing and delivering instruments to treatment area; positioning instruments for dentist's access; suctioning; passing instruments.
• Provide needed materials and supplies as directed by the supervising dentist.
• Provide diagnostic information by exposing and developing radiographic studies, pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts.
• Help dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining C.P.R. certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory.
• Educate patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative instructions.
• Document dental care services by charting in patient records as directed by supervising dentist.
• Maintain patient confidence by keeping information confidential.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protect patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Ensure operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Maintain dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
• Conserve dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related tasks as needed.

Tier 2 - PB 6

Completion of Nitrous Certification

• Demonstrate proven and safe protocols for nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation, including the calculation of nitrous oxide gas used; pharmacology, biochemistry, and anatomy of nitrous oxide administration, emergency procedures, and the mechanics of operating a nitrous unit.
• Demonstrate patient monitoring and proper use of special equipment.
• Understand airway management, including signs of an impending emergency.
• Demonstrate strategies for detecting Nitrous in the office environment. Understand indication and contraindication for individual patient sedation.

Tier 3 - PB 7

Completion of IHS Basic Restorative Course or Registered Dental Assistant in the State of MI

Basic Restorative Course:

• Understanding of tooth morphology/structure and the materials used to restore them.
• Place and finish Class I B amalgam, Class V B amalgam, Class I O amalgam, Class II amalgam, Class III composite, Class V composite.

Composite Only Course:

• Understanding of the basic concepts of occlusion as they apply to restorative dentistry.
• Be able to place and finish Class I and Class II composite restorations and composite restorations involving the incisal angle.
• Understanding of the current state-of-the-art dentinal bonding agents.

Registered Dental Assistant:

• Placing, condensing, and carving amalgam restorations.
• Removing sutures.
• Cementing orthodontic bands or initial placement of orthodontic brackets and attachments for aligners.
• Placing Class I resin bonded restorations, occlusal adjustment, finishing and polishing with non-tissue cutting slow speed rotary hand pieces.
• Taking final impression for indirect restoration and prosthesis including bite registration, intra-oral imaging, and in-office fabrication of restorations.
• Assisting and monitoring the administration of nitrous oxide analgesia.
• Placing and removing non-epinephrine retraction cords or materials.
• Drying endodontic canals with absorbent points.
• Applying cavity liners and bases.
• Taking impressions for intraoral appliances including bite registrations.
• Placing and removing matrices and wedges.
• Taking digital scans for final restoration or intra-oral appliances.
• Preliminary examination including performing pulp vitality testing.
• Adjusting and polishing contacts and occlusion of indirect restoration before cementation by the dentist.
• Applying desensitizing agents.
• Etching and placing adhesives before placement of orthodontic brackets and attachments for aligners.
• Applying anticariogenic agents including, but not limited to, sealants, fluoride varnish, and fluoride applications.
• Instructing in the use and care of dental appliances.
• Placing and removing dental dam.
• Trial sizing of orthodontic bands.
• Temporary cementing and removing temporary crowns and bands.
• Taking impressions or digital scans for study and opposing models and matrices for temporary crowns and bridges.
• Fabricating temporary restorations, temporary crowns, and temporary bridges.
• Placing a nonmetallic temporary restoration with non-tissue cutting instruments.
• Applying nonprescription topical anesthetic.
• Removing excess temporary cement from supragingival surfaces of a tooth with hand instruments only.
• Polish assigned teeth with a slow-speed rotary handpiece immediately before an acid etch procedure.
• Polishing and contouring of sealants with a slow speed rotary hand piece immediately following a procedure for occlusal adjustment.
• Provide nutritional counseling.
• Dispense orthodontic aligners.

Tier 4 - PB 8

Completion of IHS Advanced Restorative course and/or Denture Repair & Adjustment course

Advanced Restorative course:

• Understanding of the basic concepts of occlusion as they apply to restorative dentistry.
• Be able to place and finish cusp protected alloys and class IV composite.
• Understanding of the current state-of-the-art dentinal bonding agents.

Denture Repair & Adjustment course

• Repair dentures (broken teeth, broken bases, broken clasps, etc.)
• Adjust dentures correctly.

Tier 5 - PB 9

Completion of IHS Periodontal Expanded Function Dental Assistant course

• Detect disease, supra, and subgingival calculus.
• Provide thorough ultrasonic scaling of teeth.
• Accurately code for periodontal and hygiene procedures.
• Recommend effective toothpastes, mouth rinses, and oral hygiene aids to patients.
• Motivate patients to improve plaque removal and periodontal health.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Fill in at the front desk, when necessary.
• Perform other related functions as assigned.

Equipment:

• Standard office equipment
• Systems used: MS Office Applications, Internet, and Electronic Dental Record

Position Requirements:

Tier 1

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Dental Assistant with x-ray certification in the State of Michigan.
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, and the ability to speak effectively and respond to questions.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience preferred.

Tier 2

Nitrous certification

Complete a CODA-accredited course that includes the following:

• Three hours of didactic instruction meeting state curriculum requirements
• Demonstrated clinical competence on at least five (5) patients under the direct supervision of a licensed Indiana dentist and are in good standing for EFDA
• An affidavit certifying competency signed by the supervising dentist

Tier 3

Completion of IHS Basic Restorative course, IHS Composite Only course or Registered Dental Assistant in the State of Michigan

Tier 4

Completion of IHS Advanced Restorative course and/or Denture Repair & Adjustment course

Tier 5

Completion of IHS Periodontal Expanded Function Dental Assistant course

Indian Preference

• Pokagon Band Preference Code applies.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is generally sedentary in nature and will frequently require sitting, however standing and walking will occasionally be necessary.
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to operate equipment.
• Frequently required to talk and hear.

Work environment:

• Work in well-lighted, heated, air-conditioned building.
• May be exposed to blood, body tissue and fluids as well as hazardous substances/ chemicals.
• Exposure to noise of agitated patients, significant work pace/pressure.
• Occasional local travel may be required.

Competencies:

• Client Focus
• Continuous Learning
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Exemplifying Integrity
• Planning and Organizing