Registered Dental Assistant - Health Centers

Overview

Registered Dental Assistant - Health Centers - Full-Time at Erlanger in Chattanooga, TN. This role assists the dentist in performing dental procedures, attends to patients, sterilizes instruments, cleans the work area, maintains office tasks, and supports the smooth operation of the dental clinic. Strong communication skills and the ability to follow both oral and written instructions are required.

• Preparing patient operatories: setting up treatment rooms with necessary instruments and supplies.
• Assisting during procedures: chairside clinical assisting in surgical and routine procedures.
• Radiography: taking effective intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs as required by the clinic.
• Sterilizing and disinfecting: ensuring a sterile environment by properly sterilizing and disinfecting instruments, equipment, and treatment areas, following clinic protocols.
• Educating patients: providing patients with home care and post-procedure instructions.
• Record keeping: updating patient charts in electronic dental records, including medical and dental histories, medications, treatment plans, and progress notes.
• Scheduling: scheduling clinical follow-up appointments as necessary.

• Communication skills: ability to interact effectively with patients, dentists, and staff.
• Organizational skills: managing multiple tasks and maintaining a clean, efficient workspace.
• Attention to detail: ensuring accuracy in radiographs and record-keeping, and following safety protocols.

• Required:
  
  One-year dental assistant program or equivalent.

• Required:
  
  N/A
• Preferred:
  Prior experience is helpful but not required.

• Registered Dental Assistant (Tennessee)
• Radiology Certification

The dental assistant will register patients, verify insurance information, post charges, and manage appointments (create, change, or cancel). The role includes retrieving and filing patient records, tracking supply inventories, and placing supply orders as needed. The assistant will also directly attend to patients and assist the dentist in performing all dental procedures, and may perform basic laboratory tasks (e.g., pouring models, making temporary crowns).

In addition, the assistant cleans, bags, and sterilizes instruments, maintains the sterilization log, and cleans and disinfects the operatory after each patient to prepare it for the next case. Strong communication skills and the ability to follow oral and written instructions are essential.

Health Centers, Chattanooga, TN