Dental Assistant

Role Overview

This position supports the medical and dental operations on Diego Garcia, a remote U.S. military installation in the Indian Ocean. Day to day, you will be responsible for creating and maintaining accurate medical and dental records for deployed employees, assisting the dentist during procedures, and ensuring the clinic runs efficiently in a self-contained environment. Your work directly contributes to the health readiness and continuity of care for a multinational workforce living and working on the island.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up and update individual medical and dental files for all employees assigned to Diego Garcia, verifying every document meets regulatory and contract standards.
• Assemble and file all required documentation, including pre-employment physicals and dental exams, occupational injury reports, x‑rays, and treatment records from both before and during the deployment.
• Keep dental records current for the entire duration of each employee’s assignment, ensuring easy retrieval and compliance with government record‑keeping rules.
• Clearly label the outside of each patient jacket with critical alerts such as allergies, blood type, and occupational surveillance program participation, including enrollment and removal dates.
• Enter and manage patient dental care data in both paper and electronic systems, following all U.S. regulations on medical/dental record privacy and accuracy.
• Prepare treatment rooms by sterilizing instruments, organising tools, and restocking supplies before each patient visit.
• Assist the dentist chairside during procedures, passing instruments, retracting soft tissue, and monitoring patient comfort and safety.
• Capture and develop dental x‑rays following strict safety and quality protocols, ensuring clear diagnostic images.
• Communicate with patients to answer questions about procedures, provide oral hygiene advice, and explain post‑treatment care instructions.
• Track dental supply inventory and promptly reorder items to prevent shortages, keeping all necessary materials available for daily operations.
• Maintain a clean, organised clinic environment that adheres to infection control and occupational health standards.
• Collaborate with medical and administrative staff to ensure seamless patient care and efficient clinic workflow, and grant authorised government personnel access to records for inspection when required.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Certificate or diploma in Dental Assisting or a directly related field.
• At least 1–3 years of hands‑on experience as a dental assistant, including chairside assisting, taking x‑rays, and familiarity with common dental procedures.
• Proven ability to maintain detailed, accurate medical and dental records, with strong attention to detail.
• Solid knowledge of dental instruments, proper sterilisation techniques, and infection‑control practices.
• Skill in collecting patient histories and delivering clear pre‑ and post‑treatment instructions.
• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills to interact professionally with patients, dentists, and medical staff in a small, remote facility.
• Basic computer proficiency for updating electronic records and managing digital filing systems.
• Valid passport with a minimum of one year of remaining validity at time of hire, and ability to travel internationally.
• Ability to pass contract‑required medical examinations and maintain those requirements throughout the deployment.
• Must be eligible to obtain and hold facility credentials/authorisation for a U.S. military installation.
• Preferred: prior work experience in an austere OCONUS environment with a multicultural workforce; a valid driver’s license; applicable visa per the U.S. Department of State Foreign Clearance Guide; current CPR or BLS certification; familiarity with HIPAA regulations and military medical record systems such as NAVMED; and prior experience in a U.S. government or military clinic dental setting.