Dental Assistant

Any individual who receives an offer of employment or will receive a payroll check are required to submit to a drug and alcohol test as a condition of obtaining employment.
Mille Lacs Band Member/American Indian preference applies

SUMMARY:
The Dental Assistant assists in providing dental care by performing a variety of patient care, office, laboratory, and maintenance duties.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• High school Diploma or GED required.
• Two-year degree in Dental Assisting or equivalent.
• One to three years’ experience in dentistry field working as a Dental Assistant.
• National registration as a Dental Assistant and State License required.
• Radiology registration required.
• Nitrous Oxide certification preferred.
• Bond removal with rotary instruments certification preferred.
• Knowledge of dental disease prevention techniques, dental prophylaxis techniques and procedures, and of public health dental programs.
• Ability and willingness to keep abreast of current changes in policies, regulations, dental standards of practice and IHS procedures.
• Ability to instruct patients in the proper care of teeth and gums, expose, develop, and mount x-rays, to maintain records; and to prepare concise reports.
• Knowledge of data entry and other computer operation preferred.
• Experience with Dentrix / dental software preferred.
• Skill in the use and care of dental tools and equipment.
• Ability to perform routine maintenance on equipment and determine when and what maintenance is needed.
• Able to read and write sufficiently to utilize computer, keep accurate records and interpret computer printouts.
• Able to accept direction and constructive criticism and follow through in a timely and accurate manner.
• Able to work and communicate sensitively, confidentially, and effectively with patients, families and co-workers.
• Able to produce timely and accurate work with a high degree of efficiency.
• Knowledge of patient eligibility verification procedures for health/dental care services.
• Prior experience in use of multi-line telephone system, setting appointments, greeting, registering patients, directing patients, and light office duties preferred.
• Knowledge of the Privacy Act of 1974 and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality of patient, Clinic and Band information.
• Experience in and sensitivity to Native American culture preferred.
• Has temperament and concentration necessary to effectively perform work of a highly detailed and sensitive nature.
• Must have a current valid driver’s license.
• Must be insurable under the Mille Lacs Band driver’s insurance policy.
• Must pass background check.
• Must pass a Pre-employment drug & alcohol test.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Assist chair-side as dentists examine and treat patients.
• Complete preliminary charting of the oral cavity and surrounding structures with the exception of periodontal probing and assessment of the periodontal structure.
• Provide prophylaxis treatment as directed by dentist.
• Obtain informed consent with scope of practice.
• Take photographs and radiographs extraorally or intraorally.
• Take and record vital signs such as pulse rate and blood pressure as directed by a dentist.
• Expose, process, and mount all diagnostic radiographs.
• Recement intact temporary restorations, place temporary fillings.
• Etch appropriate enamel surfaces, apply and adjust pit and fissure sealants.
• Place and remove matrix bands.
• Fabricate, cement and adjust temporary restorations extraorally or intraorally, remove temporary restorations with hand instrument.
• Etch appropriate enamel surfaces before bonding of orthodontic appliances by a dentist.
• Remove excess cement from inlays, crowns, bridges, and orthodontic appliances with hand instrument.
• Apply topical medications such as, but not limited to, topical fluoride, bleaching agents, and cavity varnishes in appropriate dosages or quantities as prescribed by a dentist.
• Take impressions for casts and appropriate bite registration.
• Place and remove rubber dam, elastic orthodontic separators, and ligature ties, arch wires, orthodontic bands, deliver vacuumed formed orthodontic retainers.
• Place and remove periodontal packs, remove sutures, dry root canals with paper points.
• Place cotton pellets and temporary restorative materials into endodontic openings.
• Record treatment information in patient records.
• Clean, package, and sterilize all dental equipment according to standard practices.
• Assure proper storage of all supplies not in use. Replenish supplies according to standard inventory procedure.
• Follow all established policies and procedures contained in the Federal Blood Borne Pathogen regulations.
• Strictly comply with all provisions of the Facility Exposure Control Plan.
• Change all personal protective equipment between patients and dispose of them in an acceptable manner to minimize any risk of cross contamination.
• Utilize appropriate biohazard and sharps containers.
• Comply with all clinic and Band policies and procedures.
• Perform normal office duties including answering phones, arranging and confirming appointments, receiving and seating patients, keeping treatment records, sending bills and processing payments, operator set up, and ordering dental supplies and materials.
• Refers all new patients to Patient Registrar before each appointment to assure that all billing and other registration is current.
• Prepares reports for Clinic and HHS management. Collects data as necessary for reports.
• Prepares correspondence to patients.
• Maintains appropriate records of patient treatment, missed appointments, payments, etc.
• Pulls charts and takes to dental office prior to each scheduled appointment.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all staff and client information and counsels others to do the same.
• Maintains professional currency in current practices, changes and standards for dental services, IHS and Band Policies.
• Provides postoperative instruction; and instructs patients in oral health care.
• Assists, as directed, with any quality assurance or continuous quality improvement activities.
• Database entry of patient visit, payment and billing information.
• Assess discounts and requesting payments from patients.
• Maintain caseload of patients for billing primary, secondary or third party reimbursements, as related to the position.
• Follow-up on denied claims.
• Maintain a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State and Band laws and regulations, as well as all other policies and procedures.
• Assists patient account representatives, cashiers and central billing staff as necessary to expedite billing to third-party carriers.
• Assure HIPAA compliance.
• Serve as a resource and responds to inquiries from internal customers, third-party carriers and other external customers.
• Research, analyze and resolve inquiries from providers and patients regarding fees, reimbursements and denials.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Work is exclusively in doors in a well-lighted, clean, and controlled climate area.
• Nature of work is such that incumbent experiences infrequent periods of moderate stress levels while dealing with patients and payers. Workload may also be a significant source of stress.
• Use of protective equipment, such as gloves and masks, to protect against infectious diseases is required.
• Handling radiographic equipment poses dangers, but they can be minimized with safety procedures.
• Hours are typically 8-5, but possibly with some extra hours.
• Some travel may be required.