Dental Assistant

Job Summary

The Dental Assistant supports the delivery of high-quality dental care by assisting the dentist with patient treatment, maintaining a safe and organized clinical environment, and providing patient education. This role includes preparing patients and treatment areas, assisting with dental procedures, obtaining dental X-rays, performing laboratory tasks, maintaining dental equipment, and supporting infection prevention and control practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the daily operations of the dental health unit under the supervision of the dentist.
• Welcome patients and escort them to the treatment area, helping ensure a comfortable and positive patient experience.
• Prepare and disinfect dental treatment rooms in accordance with health center policies and infection control standards.
• Prepare patients for treatment and assist the dentist during dental procedures, including four-handed dentistry.
• Obtain and process dental X-rays in accordance with established procedures.
• Prepare alginate impressions and pour dental models.
• Assist with temporary crown cement removal and crown recementation, as directed by the dentist.
• Provide patients with prescribed dental bleaching kits and fabricate bleaching trays as needed.
• Perform instrument cleaning, sterilization, and other infection prevention and control activities in accordance with health center policies.
• Maintain organized, well-stocked dental operatories and monitor dental supplies.
• Perform dental laboratory tasks, including fabricating bleaching trays and dental models.
• Provide individualized patient education on oral health, disease prevention, and dental treatment procedures.
• Apply preventive dental agents, including fluoride varnish, as directed and within the scope of practice.
• Assist with the placement and removal of dental dams.
• Maintain dental equipment according to manufacturer guidelines, including completing routine daily maintenance.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized clinical environment to support efficient patient care.

Qualifications

• Current Massachusetts dental assisting license, as required by the Board of Registration in Dentistry.
• At least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience as a dental assistant in an established dental practice.
• Ability to assist with four-handed dentistry and support a variety of general dental procedures.
• Familiarity with operative dentistry and general dental care practices.
• Ability to provide compassionate, age-appropriate care to patients across the lifespan, including young children and older adults.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with a willingness to learn new procedures and contribute to a collaborative clinical environment.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.