Dental Assistant - Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics

Overview

This is a part-time position, working Tuesday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm at our Groton, MA clinic.

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) offers one of the most forward-looking educational environments in dental medicine in the country. Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics (formerly Tufts Dental Facilities for Persons with Special Needs) is a network of seven outpatient clinics that provides dental care to approximately 7,000 developmentally disabled patients in the state of Massachusetts under the umbrella of TUSDM and in partnership with the Massachusetts Departments of Public Health (DPH) and Developmental Services (DDS).

In addition to outpatient services, patient care is also delivered in operating room settings at three affiliated hospitals within the state. TSCDC serves as a vital teaching venue for General Practice Residents through the Tufts GPR program and for fourth-year dental students, offering hands-on experience in treating patients with special needs.

This position will be hired as a Dental Assistant or Senior Dental Assistant depending on the experience of the candidate.

• Under limited supervision, the Dental Assistant provides four-handed dentistry assisting general dentists and hygienists chairside.
• Assist clinicians (dentists, hygienists, and post-graduate dental residents in training) in four-handed dentistry and hygiene with patient care including prophylaxis/prevention, deep scaling, restorative dentistry, endodontics, oral surgery, and fixed/removable prosthetics.
• Accesses patient health records to chart findings, review medical history and view radiographs.
• Facilitates patient workflow and takes patient vital signs.
• Educates patients by providing post-op instructions and oral hygiene tips.
• Comforts and supports patients to ease anxiety and answer questions.
• Takes digital radiographs (panoramic, periapical, bitewing).
• Turns over treatment rooms between patients, and processes instruments in accordance with proper sterilization infection control practices.
• Works in dental laboratory pouring models, polishing crowns and dentures, taking impressions and making temporary crowns.
• Assists the Lead Dental Assistant with management of clinic equipment maintenance and repairs, inventory management and restocking materials and supplies.
• Provides front desk support when necessary.
• Travel to other clinics required.
• This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired through formal and/or on the job dental assistant training program.
• Massachusetts Dental Assistant License.
• Radiology Certification.
• 0-2 years of experience for Dental Assistant.
• 3-5 years of experience for Senior Dental Assistant.
• Exhibits knowledge and proficiency with procedural mix within general dentistry.
• Sound knowledge of HIPAA and OSHA compliance regarding infection control, blood borne pathogens, sterilization, and radiology.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work well on a team and handle multiple tasks efficiently.
• Warm and caring personality needed in helping our patients.
• Positive attitude.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate s Degree.

Join Tufts University today to take advantage of our wonderful benefits package. In addition to various health, dental, and vision plans, employees enjoy generous time off, tuition remission, retirement plans with strong contributions, life insurance, long-term disability, commuter benefits, and many other perks and discounts!

Minimum $27.30, Midpoint $32.50, Maximum $37.70

Minimum $24.70, Midpoint $29.50, Maximum $34.20

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.