Dental Health Aide Therapist; DHAT Job Meadow Lakes Alaska USA,Dental / Dentistry

position title: dental health aide therapist (dhat) department: specialty services-dental wage: contract flsa status: non-exempt esc code: 29-1299.52 funding source: ihs / hrsa opening: september 3, 2026 closing: september 13, 2026 position summary:

the dental health aide therapist (dhat) provides preventive, educational, diagnostic, and routine dental treatment services to patients of yakutat community health center (ychc) within the individual's approved dhat scope of practice, certification, standing orders, credentialing, and clinical privileges.

the dhat works as part of the ychc dental department under the supervision of a licensed dentist and supports ychc's goal of increasing access to high-quality, culturally responsive oral healthcare within the yakutat community. The position places a strong emphasis on prevention, early intervention, patient education, continuity of care, and reducing barriers to dental services in a rural community.

this position requires compliance with yakutat tlingit tribe's compliance standards, including its standards of conduct, compliance program, and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the position’s regular performance evaluation.

essential functions:

provides dental treatment and preventive services within the individual's approved dhat scope of practice and ychc clinical privileges.

obtains and documents patient medical and dental histories and performs appropriate dental assessments.

performs dental examinations, radiographs, diagnosis and treatment planning within authorized dhat scope.

provides preventive services including oral health education, fluoride treatments, sealants, prophylaxis, and other approved preventive interventions.

performs restorative dental procedures authorized under the individual's dhat certification and clinical privileges.

administers local anesthetic and performs approved dental procedures, including uncomplicated extractions, when authorized within the individual's scope and privileges.

provides appropriate emergency and palliative dental services within scope and consults with the supervising dentist when additional evaluation or treatment is required.

identifies patients requiring services outside dhat scope and appropriately consults with or refers patients to the supervising dentist or other dental or medical professionals.

provides culturally responsive oral health education to patients, families, schools, elders, and the community.

promotes prevention and early intervention strategies to improve community oral health outcomes.

participates in community outreach, school-based services, prevention activities, health fairs, and other ychc community health initiatives as assigned.

coordinates patient referrals, specialty dental services, follow-up care, and continuity of care as appropriate.

maintains complete, accurate, and timely patient documentation in the electronic health record.

maintains compliance with hipaa, infection prevention, osha, patient safety, and ychc policies and procedures.

follows all approved standing orders, clinical protocols, supervisory requirements, credentialing requirements, and scope-of-practice limitations.

maintains required dhat certification, continuing education, competencies, credentialing, and clinical privileges.

participates in quality improvement, chart review, peer review, patient safety, and other dental department quality activities.

assists with maintaining dental equipment, instruments, supplies, and appropriate inventory levels.

follows established sterilization, infection-control, exposure-control, and clinical safety procedures.

assists with dental scheduling, patient follow-up, referrals, clerical duties, and other departmental…