Dental Assistant - Entry Level

Three full-time positions | Peds Dental (S 84th street) One Opening | Northwest Dental (N 90th street) Two Openings | Monday - Friday

Job Duties: Entry-Level Dental Assistants (DA) perform many tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills as they relate to patient care, laboratory duties, and office duties. They work chairside as Dentists examine and treat patients. They make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment, and obtain their dental records. The DA hands instruments and materials to the Dentist, and they keep patients' mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices.

The DA also sterilizes/disinfects instruments and equipment, prepares trays of instruments for dental procedures, and instructs patients on postoperative and general oral health care. Entry‑Level Dental Assistants are either Dental Assistants who are receiving on‑the‑job training or new graduates from a dental assisting program. Entry‑Level Dental Assistants are expected to use each patient encounter for skills development. It is within protocol to seek assistance for processes that are new, but it is expected that the Entry‑Level Dental Assistants will reduce dependence on others after reasonable exposure to new job duties.

It is the intent that Entry‑Level Dental Assistants advance to a Level I Dental Assistant position within six months.

• Prepares patient treatment rooms by following prescribed procedures and protocols.
• Obtains accurate blood pressure readings from patients using automated wrist cuffs or arm cuffs.
• Assists Dentists chairside with diagnostic, operative, and surgical appointments as well as procedures. i.e. Extractions, fillings, cleanings, mouth bridges, etc. Asks for a more experienced Dental Assistant to substitute for difficult procedures, and uses the experience as an opportunity to learn.
• Sizes and fits Dryshield or other isolation units.
• Arranges radiographs correctly (upon attainment of certificate) and properly charts existing oral conditions. Asks for assistance with difficult radiograph capture as needed.
• Performs coronal polishing of teeth (upon attainment of certificate).
• Cleans, disinfects, sterilizes, and prepares all dental surfaces, instruments, and equipment.

The tasks outlined above are intended to provide a general overview of the role and are not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or job functions. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed to support the business, and responsibilities may evolve to meet the changing needs of the organization.