Dental Assistant I, Entry Level

Job Summary

The Dental Assistant I (DAI) prepares, sterilizes, organizes, and sets up dental equipment. Ensures all dental instruments are cleaned, dated, and processed according to established safety guidelines and standards. Monitors and maintains dental equipment, such as compressors, evacuators, radiographic equipment, sterilizers, and light curing units, in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines. DAI provides chairside assistance to dentists and dental hygienists in clinical dental care, including operative, preventative, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic, and/or oral surgery procedures. Orders and maintains inventories of dental clinic supplies, equipment, and instruments. Maintains dental laboratory slips and creates and maintains dental records in accordance with established protocol and procedures. Must have basic computer skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintains a safe and hygienic patient environment.
• Completes necessary equipment monitoring per established clinical protocol, follows equipment maintenance schedules, and completes logs.
• Maintains patient operatories, including daily disinfection, setup, and stocking of dental supplies.
• Cleans and maintains the dental laboratory area daily, and the equipment as necessary.
• Monitors and maintains autoclave equipment and dental instruments to ensure sterile condition and techniques.
• Prepares laboratory cases, including contacting the laboratory, preparing for shipment, packaging, and monitoring due dates.
• Maintains proper inventory of supplies by communicating low stock or ordering as required.
• Monitors oxygen and nitrous oxide tanks, checks fire extinguishers, and checks medications for expiration.
• Completes Autoclave competency and N2O Quality Assurance Competency upon hire and annually thereafter.
• Takes initiative to solve problems and recommends improvements.
• Travels to other CCHS sites to cover shortages within the department.
• Displays professionalism during interaction with CCHS customers, staff, and clinicians.
• Practices AIDET.
• Assists front office dental staff with planning and scheduling of patient visits.
• Assures that all instruments and materials are available prior to the patient’s arrival.
• Triages dental emergencies.
• Takes initiative and prioritizes effectively.
• Works with other staff to achieve a desirable working environment.
• Takes initiative and anticipates needs of other dental assistants.
• Assists dentist or dental hygienist.
• Prepares dental materials correctly as needed.
• Anticipates the sequence of dental procedures and is prepared in advance.
• Ensures that chart information is accurate and complete and follows up with the dentist or dental hygienist.
• Reviews daily schedule and verifies treatment plan prior to appointment.
• Assists students and residents with CCHS’s processes and procedures.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Basic computer skills.
• CPR certification.
• Completes EHR competency upon hire.
• Dental Radiation Technician license from the state of Maryland required to be obtained within one year of hire.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED certificate.
• Dental experience is a benefit, but not a requirement.
• Empathetic Outlook: Ability to perceive and understand the feelings and attitudes of others.
• Attention to Detail: Ability to process detailed information effectively and consistently.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems, generates and evaluates alternative solutions, and makes effective decisions.
• Communicates Effectively: Conveys a clear understanding of unique needs of different audiences.
• Values and Ethics: Serves with integrity and respect; ensures decisions and transactions are transparent and fair.
• Time Management: Effectively manages time and resources for efficient work completion.