Dental Assistant

Department Overview

OHSU’s focus on healing, teaching, and discovery combined with our deep history in Oregon is unique. We are the state’s only academic health center and one of the only universities in the U.S. devoted exclusively to educating doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and public health professionals. At OHSU’s School of Dentistry, we strive to make an impact in our community by delivering excellence in our dental care facilities, utilizing cutting-edge technologies while enhancing the knowledge of our inclusive dental professionals and leaders. We value each and every one of our professionals by providing a welcoming work environment and industry leading benefits.

GENEROUS BENEFIT PACKAGE:

• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision care plans. Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents
• $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
• Retirement: Choose between pension plan or employee matching voluntary savings plan
• Vacation – Up to 200 hours per year depending on length of service
• Sick Leave – Up to 96 hours per year
• 8 paid holidays per year
• Substantial Tri-met and C-Tran discounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Innovative Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Cutting edge Wellness Platform
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Discounts

Our department’s working locations are nestled in Portland’s beautiful South Waterfront making it a convenient location to commute to. Our Skourtes Tower facility in the Robertson Life Sciences Building houses both our School of Dentistry and our patient clinics, providing sweeping views of the city and an unmatched setting for education, research, and exemplary oral health care.

We are currently hiring Dental Assistants and Advanced Dental Assistants, please feel free to review both roles’ functions, minimum requrements, and apply today!

To learn more about the School of Dentistry click on the link below:

http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-dentistry 

Function/Duties of Position

As a Dental Assistant, under the supervision of a licensed dentist, you will provide chair side assistance to dentists, dental or graduate students, interns, and residents, dental hygienists, or dental technicians. You may also perform clinical support duties such as patient appointment status updates and maintaining patient records.

Responsibilities will consist of:

• Dental Assisting. Under the supervision of a dentist, provides chair side dental support to dentists, dental students, or dental hygienists. Prepares work station, instruments, and materials, and escorts patient to the work station. Provides 4 and 6-handed dental assistance support for OHSU dental practices. Retracts a patient’s cheek, tongue, or other parts of tissues during a dental operation. Assists with the placement or removal of a rubber dam and accessories used for its placement and retention as directed by the dentist. Uses vacuum devices, compressed air, mouthwashes, and water to remove debris accumulated during operative processes. Prepares amalgams and adhesives. Reviews pre and post-operative instructions with patients. Sterilizes and wraps instruments and cleans work station between patients. Maintains operatory equipment. Exposes radiographs for dental diagnostic purposes. Instructs individuals in oral hygiene techniques and preventative procedures, which may include desensitizing agents. Ensures work areas are stocked and ready for patient care.
• Educational Support. Provides support to dental students in techniques of four handed dentistry and use of chair side dental assistant. Reinforces aseptic techniques, posture, chair positions, instrument exchange, use of dental materials and efficient operatory set up. Explains and demonstrate equipment care. Evaluates dental students for infection control compliance. Match students with clinic partners which might include patient assignments.
• Clinical Support and Administrative Functions. Clerical duties needed to ensure clinic function. Limited EHR entries. Patient appointment status updates. Supply order coordination

Required Qualifications

• Completion of an approved Dental Assistant training program OR One year of experience as a chair side Dental Assistant.
• Certification by the Oregon State Board of Dentistry for Radiological Proficiency required for all positions.
• Current valid Basic Life Support (BLS) card required (from approved vendor) required for all positions.
• Must have worked as a dental assistant within the last 5 years (If qualifying with experience) 
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced specialty dental assisting may require EFDA, EFODA, DAANC, dental anesthesia certification or other sedation/surgical advanced certifications, skills

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