Who We Are:

Neighborhood Health Center is a non-profit organization local to Portland, OR serving underserved patients in the areas of primary care, internal medicine, dental services and more. Our patient-centered approach to care honors the unique needs and circumstances of each individual patient. NHC sees people, not problems, and recognizes that the time spent as a patient in a doctors office is only one factor in a persons overall health. Our leading edge, integrated clinical teams work in partnership with patients, their families, and the communities we serve to provide whole-person care, prevention, and ongoing support.

NHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate differences in the workplace and do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (sex), national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why work with us?

• We are a non-profit organization, passionate about providing the underserved population with medical and dental services across the greater Portland area, committed to making a difference daily.
• We offer our employees a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes 20 days of PTO (based on full time employment), 9 paid holidays, health/dental/vision insurance, quarterly wellness reimbursements, generous 401k retirement plan with employer match, employer paid disability insurance, EAP and life insurance.
• Our employees voted NHC a Top Workplace in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025!

Job Title: Dental Assistant III
Department: Dental
Reports To: Dental Clinic Manager
Work Type: On-Site
Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Schedule: Four 10-hour days/week (closed on weekends)
Language Differential: Eligible

SUMMARY

This position provides direct chairside support to Dentists and/or Hygienists in the delivery of dental care and service at Neighborhood Health Center. This position may help to direct the Dental Assistant I and II in the delivery of patient care and clinic duties.

• Provides patients and their families with instruction on oral hygiene, oral disease prevention and post-operative instructions, including anticipated next steps and appointment information.
• Sets up operatories and portable unit equipment and ensures that instruments, supplies, and equipment are immediately available for patient care.
• Obtains and enters patient information into electronic dental record, including chief complaint, health history, medications, allergies, vitals, patient pain level
• Provides direct clinical assistance to dentists and dental hygienists by performing 4-handed dentistry, including passing instruments for operative and oral surgery procedures and mixing filling and medicinal materials.
• Performs expanded duty functions, including child and adult rubber cup oral prophylaxis.
• Places temporary restorative material in teeth under the direction and review of a dentist, placing and removing matrix retainers for alloy and composite restorations, removing temporary crowns and cleaning teeth in preparation for final cementation, and performing preliminary fitting of crowns.
• Takes oral impressions and pours models.
• When sealant certified, places pit and fissure sealants under the direction and review of Dentist or Dental Hygienist.
• Exposes x-rays and ensures all x-rays are suitable for diagnosis.
• Maintains proper infection control practices at all times, including the following areas: PPE, hand hygiene, handling and disposal of sharps and biohazard waste, instrument sterilization, and dental operatory disinfection.
• Communicates with Dentist of their daily schedule and patient information; communicate with dental team about schedule changes and informs providers of changes.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

• Full-time positions may be scheduled to work 40 hours per week, with 4/10 hours workdays.
• Working days and locations may be variable.
• Occasional weekend availability may be required.
• As a result of high patient volume, this position experiences stressors that come along with a fast-paced environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to toxic chemicals for infection control or blood borne pathogens and regularly handling contaminated sharp instruments.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequently lift, move, push, or pull objects/equipment/supplies weighing approximately 20-25 pounds up to 40-50 pounds; use full range of body motion; walk, stand, move, stoop, reach with hands and arms and bend; sit for extended periods of time.
• Frequently use sufficient manual dexterity in order to safely perform various skills and techniques or manipulate equipment; see minor details from a distance, and differentiate between colors, shades, brightness textures and depth; hear and understand language as well as communicate language with several parties.

Neighborhood Health Center Employment Offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks, background checks, drug screening for illegal substances, Tuberculosis, and any position specific credentialing or licensure requirements.