Job Summary
Office Hours Mon-Thurs 7:45am-5pm (Some Fridays ortho days)
We are looking for a reliable and compassionate Dental Assistant to join our clinical team. In this role, you will be the primary point of contact for patients, helping to alleviate their anxiety while assisting our dentists during various clinical procedures. You will be responsible for maintaining a sterile environment, managing patient records, and performing laboratory tasks as directed.
Key Responsibilities
Chairside Assisting: Provide four-handed dentistry by passing instruments and using suction equipment to keep the patient's mouth dry during procedures like fillings, crowns, and extractions.
Patient Preparation: Greet and seat patients, review their medical histories, take vital signs, and explain upcoming procedures to ensure comfort.
Sterilization & Safety: Disinfect treatment rooms and sterilize instruments according to strict OSHA and CDC guidelines to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.
Imaging & Diagnostics: Take and process high-quality digital dental X-rays (pending state-required certification) and take impressions of teeth for study models.
Patient Education: Provide clear instructions on oral hygiene and post-operative care following surgery or dental treatments.
Office Administration: Schedule patient appointments, manage billing and insurance claims, and update electronic patient records (EMR).
Laboratory Duties: Pour, trim, and polish dental casts; fabricate temporary restorations as authorized.
Required Skills & Qualifications
Education: High school diploma or equivalent; completion of an accredited Dental Assisting Program is highly preferred.
Certifications: Active CPR/BLS certification is required; Radiation Safety Certification is mandatory for taking X-rays.
Technical Proficiency: Experience with dental practice management software (e.g., Denticon, Dentrix or EagleSoft) and digital radiography.
Manual Dexterity: Strong fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination for handling delicate dental instruments in confined spaces.
Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional communication skills, a friendly demeanor to manage patient relations and work effectively within a team, and the desire to always be learning and growing, both individually and as a team.
Preferred Qualifications
1–2 years of experience in a fast-paced dental office.
National certification as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
Bilingual skills (e.g., Spanish) to assist diverse patient populations.
