Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians·Dowagiac, Michigan
Supports dental care delivery by preparing treatment rooms, instruments, and materials while assisting the dentist during procedures. Responsibilities include performing radiographic studies, educating patients on oral hygiene, and maintaining a sterile clinical environment.
This is a great opportunity for an experienced Dental Assistant to join our team and grow in your profession. The schedule will be four ten-hour shifts per week. We provide opportunities for job training and advancement in addition to generous PTO, health insurance, retirement plans, and more! Pre-employment drug and alcohol screening (including marijuana) is required for this position along with random screening.
Supports dental care delivery by preparing treatment room, patient, instruments, and materials; passing instruments and materials; performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice act.
Dental Assistant I – 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.
Provideneeded 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 bymaintainingC.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 recordsas directed by supervising dentist.
Maintain patient confidence by keeping information confidential.
Maintain safe and clean working environment bycomplying withprocedures, 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;maintainingequipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
Maintain dental supplies inventory by checking stock todetermineinventory level;anticipatingneeded supplies; placing andexpeditingorders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
Conserve dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed toaccomplishjob results.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications;establishingpersonal networks; participating in professional societies.
Contribute to team effort byaccomplishingrelatedtasksas needed.
Dental Assistant II – PB 6
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 ofoperatinga 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.
Understandindicationand contraindication for individual patient sedation.
And/Or
Application of medicaments for the control or prevention of dental caries.
Polish the coronal surface of teeth.
Dental Assistant III – PB 7
Utilize skills learned through PHS standing order competency training including but not limited to:
Partial/Denture adjustments.
Occlusal guard delivery and adjustments.
Sealants.
Topical anesthetic administration.
Creation and cementation of temporary crowns.
Final impressions/intraoral scanning.
Suture removal.
Dental Assistant IV – PB 8
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.
Assistingandmonitoringthe 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 ofindirectrestoration 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 no limited to, sealants, fluoride varnish, 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 assignedteeth with a slow-speed rotary handpieceimmediatelybefore an acid etch procedure.
Polishing and contouring of sealants with a slow speed rotary hand pieceimmediatelyfollowing aprocedurefor occlusal adjustment.
• Rubber dam placement, resin, and amalgam restorative techniques for Class I, II, III, IV, and V restorations,as well asthe necessary matrixtechniquefor each restoration.
Dental Assistant V – PB 9
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.
• Completion of Nitrous Certification and/or Coronal Polishing andFluorideApplication Course.
• Completion of PHS Standing Order Competency training
• Completion of IHS RestorativeCourse, orRegistered Dental Assistant in State of Michigan. Completion of IndianaEFDA training course.
• Completion of IHS Periodontal Expanded Function Dental Assistant course.
Work in well-lit, heated, air-conditioned buildings.
May be exposed to blood, bodytissueand fluids as well as hazardous substances/ chemicals.
Exposure to noise of agitated patients, significant work pace/pressure.
Occasional local travel may berequired.
Provide nutritional counseling
Dispense orthodontic aligners.
Market context
In Michigan, dental assistant openings are commonly driven by routine patient care needs in private practices, clinics, and specialty offices, with employers looking for candidates who can keep schedules, instruments, and patient flow organized. This role is competitive because practices often want prior assisting experience plus strong communication skills, and Michigan candidates must provide or obtain X-ray training certification within 8 weeks of hire. Before applying, review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to quickly confirm the experience and certification timeline match your background.