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Home>Job Descriptions>Dental Assistant Job Description

Dental Assistant Job Description

What Does a Dental Assistant Do?

A dental assistant is a healthcare professional who assists the dentist chair side with various patient services. They may be responsible for taking x-rays, sterilizing instruments, preparing patients for procedures, and helping the dentist with an array of other tasks.

Dental Assistant Job Description Example

Little Rock Smiles Dentistry is looking for an experienced and motivated dental assistant to join our team. We are dedicated to providing our clients with the highest quality of dental care, and this role will be instrumental in our success. The ideal candidate should be organized, have excellent communication skills, and be passionate about patient care.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Set up, prepare and arrange dental instruments, materials and medical equipment needed to treat patients
  • Clean and organize the dental office before and after patient appointments
  • Sterilize any and all dental instruments as needed
  • Assist the dentist during patient exams and treatments, including taking x-rays
  • Monitor and maintain adequate dental supply levels
  • Educate patients on proper dental hygiene techniques
  • Record medical and dental histories of patients
  • Assist in scheduling patient appointments

Work Hours and Benefits:

This is a full-time position with a schedule of Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. We offer competitive salary and benefits, such as health insurance, paid vacation and sick days, and 401k.

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or GED
  • At least 1 year of dental assistant experience
  • Excellent customer service and interpersonal communication skills
  • Ability to work well under pressure, multi-task and prioritize
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy
  • Basic computer and digital record keeping skills
  • X-ray certification

Training and Education:

We require all dental assistants to have a high school diploma or GED. In addition, we will provide on-the-job training in the use of dental instruments and safety protocols.

If you have the qualifications and a passion for patient care, we want to hear from you. Submit your resume today to join our team of dental professionals.

What to Include on a Dental Assistant Resume or Job Posting

Common dental assistant responsibilities

  • Preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment
  • Assisting the dentist during procedures
  • Taking and developing dental x-rays
  • Keeping patient records and scheduling appointments
  • Educating patients on proper oral hygiene
  • Preparing materials for dental impressions and restorations
  • Taking and recording patient vital signs
  • Applying topical anesthetics to gums
  • Administering nitrous oxide
  • Assisting with laboratory procedures such as making temporary crowns and bridges

Qualities & traits

  • Professionalism: A dental assistant should be professional in their demeanor and dress.
  • Attention to Detail: A dental assistant should be detail-oriented and able to follow instructions carefully.
  • Communication Skills: A dental assistant should have excellent communication skills to interact with patients, dentists, and other staff.
  • Interpersonal Skills: A dental assistant should have strong interpersonal skills to build rapport with patients and colleagues.
  • Organizational Skills: A dental assistant should be organized and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • Technical Skills: A dental assistant should be comfortable with technology and have the ability to operate dental equipment.
  • Flexibility: A dental assistant should be flexible and able to adapt to changing situations.
  • Compassion: A dental assistant should be compassionate and understanding of the needs of their patients.

What a typical day looks like for a dental assistant

A dental assistant's day-to-day role may include a variety of tasks such as preparing patients for treatments, sterilizing and setting up instruments, taking radiographs (X-rays), managing patient records, providing patient education, and helping the dentist with procedures. Depending on the practice, a dental assistant may play a more extensive role, such as polishing and restoring teeth, removing sutures, applying topical anesthetics, and taking impressions for dental prosthetics. In all cases, dental assistants must have good interpersonal skills to establish trust and rapport with patients.

Compatible jobs and work history

When seeking a dental assistant without prior experience, it is important to consider candidates with experience in other roles in the healthcare and patient service industries. These roles may encompass a variety of skills and duties that are transferable to a dental assistant's job. Some of the compatible job titles might include medical receptionist, patient services coordinator, caregiver, medical office assistant, lab assistant, pharmacy assistant, and other patient service-oriented roles.

Compatible Job Titles:

  • Medical Receptionist
  • Patient Services Coordinator
  • Caregiver
  • Medical Office Assistant
  • Lab Assistant
  • Pharmacy Assistant
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Nursing Assistant
  • Clinical Assistant
  • Customer Service Representative

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