Dental Assistant - Intern (43131)

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief Dentist and the guidance and instruction of the Lead Dental Assistant, the Dental Assistant Intern supports the Dental Team by having a transitionary position to allow for on the job training for an individual without previous dental assisting experience or training. This position allows the Dental Team to have an avenue to hire and train dental assistants in order to better service the WIHCC dental patient population. This position is located at the Winslow Indian Health Care Center, Inc. Dental Program and requires the Dental Assistant to travel to/from satellite clinics: Leupp, Dilkon and on Mobile Van. Uphold the principles of WIHCC’s Vision, Mission, and Value Statements. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information at all times.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.
• Trains at chairside with Lead Dental Assistant while the Dentist performs a full range of professional dental treatment of commonly encountered dental disease or dental health problems requiring standard corrective, restorative, or preventive measures.
• Trains at chairside in all phases of dental treatment including restorative, prosthodontic, surgical, endodontic and periodontal treatments, which encompass all routine dental procedures.
• Studies and passes the HIS, didactic radiology exam as well as learning proper radiographic skills utilizing the DXTTR mannequin.
• Studies and learns proper four handed dental assisting technique.
• Studies and learns to identify all of the dental instruments used within our dental clinics.
• Learns proper sterilization techniques as well as cleaning, packaging and sterilizing all dental instruments and ensures proper storage.
• Learns to receive and route patients and schedules appointments.
• Learns to accurately record required data into the patient’s chart accurately using Office Management (Dentrix Enterprise), as relayed by Dentist and accurately retrieve and file dental charts.
• Learns how to complete dental laboratory work orders in compliance with Dentist’s instructions.
• Learns to take impressions and make proper dental models.
• Learns to keeps clinic operatory well supplied and requisitioning dental supplies and equipment.
• Learns routine dental laboratory procedures trimming models, constructing custom trays, fabricating base plates and bite rims.
• Learns to relay to patient post treatment instructions, motivating and instructing patients in proper brushing and closing techniques, care of prosthodontic appliances and give information regarding common cause of tooth decay.
• Learns to place rubber dam isolation as directed by the Dentist.
• Maintains the dental clinic in a clean and orderly manner.
• Maintains communication through the Lead Dental Assistants to resolve concerns.
• Requires completion of tasks or duties assigned by the Lead Dental Assistant and Dentist.
• Upholds all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
• Adheres to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
• Adheres to WIHCCs Personnel Policies and Procedures, departmental policies, rules, and regulations.
• Interacts in