Dental Assistant (Basic)

Closing Date: July 24, 2026 @ 4:00 P.M. (MST)

Salary Range: $19.06 – $22.88

**APPLICANT MUST HAVE A VALID, UNRESTRICTED INSURABLE DRIVERS LICENSE**

**RESUMES AND REFERENCES ARE REQUIRED**

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides the comprehensive range of dental chairside assistance during educational, preventative, emergency, examination, restorative, endodontic, pediatric, periodontal, prosthodontic, and oral surgery procedures, as well as, other dental treatment procedures utilizing the operating room or nitrous oxide.
• Prepares the dental treatment operatory in an efficient, orderly, and timely manner in compliance with current infection control practices. Retrieves and sets up all treatment instruments, materials, and equipment while limiting interruptions to patient care.
• Warmly welcomes, escorts patients to and from the dental treatment rooms, and comforts all dental patients. Verifies patient identification and obtains, updates, reviews, and verifies information related to patient’s medical history including, but not limited to: medical conditions, medications, medication allergies, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, weight, blood glucose levels and pulse oximeter oxygenation measurements.
• Adheres to all standards of dental infection control policy and utilization of personal protective equipment.
• Is responsible for cleaning, sharpening, packaging and sterilization procedures on all dental equipment and their proper labeling and storage when not in use. Disinfects dental equipment (chairs, surfaces) and sterilizes dental instruments using autoclave and other techniques in accordance with department standard operating procedures.
• Provides routine maintenance and clean-up procedures on all dental equipment and instruments, including cleaning and oiling equipment and timely submission of repair work orders.
• Assumes responsibility for cleaning, sharpening, packaging and sterilization procedures on all dental equipment and their proper storage when not in use.
• Maintains dental inventory of supplies, and properly stores and replenishes when necessary.
• Recognizes common dental disorders and conditions such as tooth decay and periodontal diseases sufficient to perform as directed by a dental hygienist, dentist, or dental specialist.
• Provides thorough patient education regarding oral health, dental diseases and their prevention, and treatment options. Educates patients regarding systemic links between oral health and diabetes, pregnancy, and other medical conditions. Provides appropriate and comprehensive post-operative instructions and patient education.
• Recommends effective toothpastes, mouth rinses, and oral hygiene aids to patients. Motivates patients to improve plaque removal and periodontal health.
• Accurately records dental conditions, dental treatment plans, as well as, dental treatment rendered notes in patient records. Accurately codes for periodontal and hygiene procedures. Completes patient notes prior to end of shift.
• Strives to always practice the four-handed dentistry technique with all providers.
• Accurately punches holes and places rubber dam and rubber dam clamps in a way that is comfortable for the patient and effectively protects the patient’s airway while allowing for clinically relevant isolation. Understands and can place Isolite and other means of isolation dependent on the clinical procedure.
• Exposes and digitally mounts appropriate diagnostic dental radiographs in compliance with standard operating procedures and limits radiation exposure to self, other staff members, and patients.
• Takes preliminary dental impressions under the guidance and supervision of the dentist. Completes supportive laboratory procedures, properly filling out laboratory requisition, pouring and trimming study models and trimming models under supervision of the dentist. Maintains annual stone model competency training and graded certification. Cleans and polishes removable appliances. Provides home care instructions to patients.
• Provides oral prophylaxis treatment, consisting oral hygiene instruction and demonstration, rubber cup coronal polishing, placement of dental sealants, and topical fluoride application as assigned by dentist or dental hygienist.
• Rotates with other dental assistants to provide scheduling and comprehensive dental assisting services to the dental hygienists.
• Manages dental provider schedules in an efficient and effective manner, including appropriate and thorough scheduling and placement of patient appointments into both the RPMS and Dentrix scheduling packages. Confirms patient appointments as requested.
• Ensures that all portions of appropriate dental consent forms are thoroughly and accurately filled out, reviewed with the patient, and signed prior to dental procedures.
• Demonstrates good chairside verbal communication with the dental provider, acknowledging directions and anticipating provider needs during patient treatment. Communicates effectively and respectfully with others and proactively offers assistance to other dental team members.
• Participates in community health programs as assigned.
• Successfully completes annual radiology re-certification.
• Actively participates in dental pod and dental clinic meetings with contributions conforming to FDIHIB Standards of Behavior.
• Demonstrates an ability to uphold and adhere to professional standards of conduct, FDIHB Expectations of Conduct and Standards of Behavior.
• Demonstrates a commitment to the highest levels of treatment quality and standards of care.
• Demonstrates dependability in areas of attendance, punctuality, responsibility, and accountability.
• Receives individual clinical duties and assignments under clinical supervision from a dental provider and thoroughly and efficiently completes those responsibilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MANDATORY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Certificate of completion of an accredited program in Dental Assisting. Current certification in dental radiology or, completion of dental radiology certification within 30 days of position start date.

Education: High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

Please email current valid insurable driver’s license, high school diploma and college degree or transcripts to Loren.Begay@fdihb.org

NAVAJO/INDIAN PREFERENCE

FDIHB and its facilities are located within the Navajo Nation and, in accordance with Navajo Nation law, has implemented a Navajo/Indian Preference in Employment Policy. Pursuant to this Policy, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for this position and who are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation will be given primary preference in hiring and employment for this position and members of other federally-recognized Indian tribes will be given secondary preference. Other candidates will be considered only after all candidates entitled to primary or secondary preference have been fully