Dental Assistant I - Closing Date: 6/19/26

Position: Dental Assistant I, II, III, or IV

Division

Ponca Health Services

Department

Dental Services

Reports To

Supervisory Dentist

Location

Norfolk

Exempt/Non-Exempt

Non-exempt

OSHA

High Risk

Pay Grade

Tier I - Grade 6 ($32,552.00-$51,873.27)

Tier II - Grade 7 ($36,441.00-$55,545.33)

Tier III - Grade 8 ($40,809.00-$62,191.50)

Tier IV - Grade 9 ($45,697.00 - $69,767.10)

Classification

Full Time

Summary

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is a federally recognized Tribe with its ancestral homeland located in Niobrara, NE. The Tribe does not have a reservation in the classic definition; rather, the Ponca Restoration Act defined its jurisdiction as a ‘Service Delivery Area’ comprised of 15 counties throughout parts of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Within its Service Delivery Area, the Tribe offers a broad range of health, social, educational, and cultural services.

The dental assistant is a member of the dental team whose primary responsibility is to assist the dentist in providing dental patient care. The employee will assist with a vast scope of dental procedures.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• 1.
• Assists the dentist(s) chair side during procedures.
• Anticipates the dentist’s needs at each stage of the treatment procedure by passing instruments, medications, and materials.
• 2.
• Actively participates in the treatment procedure by retracting tissue, tongue and cheek, keeping area of operation clear, and preventing build-up of saliva and oral debris in patient’s mouth by the use of suction tip.
• 3.
• Completes tasks as assigned and directed by the dentist in a responsible and timely matter.
• 4.
• Assists patients in completing medical history statements, reviews patient medical history, signs legal documents (i.e., chart notes and consent form).
• Records examination and treatment information as relayed by dentist.
• 5.
• Applies rubber dams and places cotton rolls to isolated operative sites.
• 6.
• Takes preliminary impressions for study models and modifies impressions trays as needed.
• Pours and trims models from impressions.
• Makes custom impression trays.
• 7.
• Other lab work as assigned.
• 8.
• Remains compliant with infection control protocol.
• 9.
• Cleans, sharpens, sterilizes, and prepares all dental instruments.
• 10.
• Orders supplies, maintains inventory, and handles equipment problems as needed.
• 11.
• Cleans and maintains the dental equipment as needed on a regular basis.
• 12.
• Instructs patient/parents in preventive dental care by demonstrating brushing and flossing techniques and the use of disclosing tablets.
• Explains the common causes of decay and its relationship to general diet.
• 13.
• Ensures that the PTN Dental Clinic is compliant with Nebraska radiation regulations and appropriate logs are being maintained.
• 14.
• Performs receptionist duties related to scheduling dental appointments, receiving patients, answering telephone and properly documenting the dental visit for proper billing etc.
• 15.
• Takes radiographic images as directed by the dentist.
• Operates, maintains, and adjusts dental X-ray equipment and materials.
• Positions patient to achieve proper angles for dental radiographs, Exposes intra- and extra-oral radiographs.
• 16.
• Performs coronal polishing.
• 17.
• Assists hygienists with recording probe depths, taking radiographs, polishing and seating patients as a routine part of the clinical day.
• 18.
• Attention to detail, positive customer service, effective teamwork skills and proactive attitude.
• 19.
• Other duties as assigned.

Relationships and Authority

This position has no supervisory authority. The Supervisory Dentist has supervisory authority over this position in relation to personnel, clinical and departmental issues. When assisting chair side, the doctor working directly with the dental assistant will have supervisory oversight at that time.

Evaluation

The evaluation of work performance will be ongoing and will be carried out by the Supervisory Dentist with input from other providers in the dental clinic. It will include the specific duties and responsibilities of this position description plus employee attitude and general working behavior.

Working Environment and Physical Demands

Physical requirements include carrying/lifting up to 5 pounds, frequently; up to 10 pounds, regularly; and up to 25 pounds, occasionally. Visual acuity, speech and hearing; hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to drive an automobile and operate computer keyboard and basic office equipment; subject to carrying, lifting, twisting and reaching to perform essential job functions. Working conditions are primarily in an office environment with occasional travel to other locations.

The position is located within a typical dental clinic setting. Occupational hazards include but are not limited to the following safety and infection control issues: radiological hazards involved with X-ray procedures, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases and bio-hazardous materials that may be transmitted through bodily fluids and cause risk in the treatment applied to the patient. Employee will sit, stand, bend, lift and move intermittently during work hours. Employee is subject to on occasion, emotionally upset patients, family members, personnel, and visitors.

Qualifications

Minimum

Tier I - Unlicensed Dental Assistant (under five years of clinical experience)

• 1.
• Of legal age, with high school diploma or GED.
• 2.
• Two years of general dentistry chairside experience within last five years or had completed an externship with the Ponca Dental Clinic.
• 3.
• The ability to carry out the assigned duties of this position independently or with minimal supervision 4.
• Computer skills or willingness to learn the computer programs of the dental clinic.
• 5.
• X-ray certification.
• 6.
• Knowledge of the dental assisting state statues and codes.
• 7.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• 8.
• Successfully pass drug and alcohol testing, education, character, and criminal background checks.
• 9.
• CPR certification within three months of hire 10.
• Able and willing to travel.

Tier II – Unlicensed Dental Assistant

1. All Tier I qualifications listed above 2. Five years of experience as a Dental Assistant

Tier III - Licensed Dental Assistant

1. All Tier II qualifications listed above 2. Passed the certification exam for dental assistants (CDA) offered by the Dental Assisting National Board

Or

3. Dental Assistant Certificate from an accredited dental assisting program or school

Or

4. Earned 1,500 hours of experience as a dental assistant within the past 5 years

and

5. Applied for and was granted a Nebraska license to practice as a Dental Assistant

Tier III - Expanded Scope Function for Licensed Dental Assistant

**In addition to licensed dental assistant above

Completed all of the following State of NE approved courses or achieve reciprocity:

1. Dental Impressions for Fixed Prosthodontics 2. Dental impressions and Minor Adjustment for Removable Prostheses 3. Cement Prefabricated Fixed Prostheses on Primary Teeth 4. Monitoring and Administration of Nitrous Oxide

Tier IV - Expanded Function Restorative Level 1 Permit

**in addition to licensed dental assistant above

1. With this permit a licensed dental assistant may place one surface restorations

Tier IV - Expanded Function Restorative Level 2 Permit

***in addition to expanded function restorative level 1 permit above

1. With this permit a license dental assistant may place complex restorations

Preferred

• 1.
• Dental Assistant Certificate from an accredited college.
• 2.
• Valid driver’s license and be insurable.
• 3.
• One year experience working with Native Americans or Native American organizations.
• 4.
• Experience using Dentrix office management software and MiPACs imaging software.
• 5.
• Experience with digital scanners 6.
• Coronal polishing certification.

Preference will be given to Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members or members of a federally recognized tribe. However, all qualified individuals are eligible.

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is an at-will employer.

Tribal Council Approval: 06/08/2026

PHS Category

Designation

Specify

Risk Exposure Level

Low/Moderate/High

High

Annual Credentialing

Yes/No

Yes

IT Privilege

Aprima/Dentrix/ScriptPro/Other

Dentrix