Lead Dental Assistant

Temple University's School of Dentistry is searching for a Lead Dental Assistant! As the second-oldest dental school in the U.S., the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry upholds a legacy of innovation in dental education, research efforts, community service, and pioneering healthcare services. Founded in 1863, Kornberg remains a pillar in the dental community. We have more than 7,000 alumni who are redefining the field of oral health around the world. In 2023, the school proudly celebrated its 160th Anniversary. Kornberg supports health and wellness through a range of diverse educational programs and comprehensive patient services. Our students become dedicated and ethical professionals who honour the traditional models of dental care while staying focused on discovering new ones. We train the experts who lead the field. Our renowned faculty and staff provide students with a wealth of opportunities and resources, including smart classrooms, digital dentistry labs, clinics, and a preclinical lab that emphasises collaboration. Students pursue postbaccalaureate, predoctoral, continuing education, and advanced education in general dentistry programs.

Benefits:

• Hybrid work schedule
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off
• 11 paid holidays
• Tuition remission – eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree tuition free
• A generous retirement plan and so much more!

Salary Range: $20.95 per hour.

This position requires the following background checks: criminal history review, child abuse clearance, and FBI fingerprinting.

Position Summary: The Dental Assistant will provide assistance to the residents, faculty, and students in the treatment of dental patients within the Prosthodontics Clinic in the School of Dentistry. Primary responsibilities include assisting with various routine and complex surgical dental procedures, preparing chairs or surgical rooms for procedures, welcoming and seating patients into the chair, performing four‑handed dentistry during procedures, and maintaining and disinfecting operatories between and after patient visits. The Dental Assistant is also responsible for support during medical emergencies, including monitoring emergency drug and oxygen supplies and infection control and safety protocols, taking x‑rays using digital imaging and uploading them into Axium, pouring and trimming dental impressions, ordering and maintaining supplies, troubleshooting dental equipment and instruments, maintaining logs for equipment maintenance and safety required by the University, School, and Department for infection control, and assisting with the sterilization process. Other responsibilities include filling in at the front desk when needed, greeting and checking patients into the clinic, scheduling and confirming appointments, creating and maintaining patient files, tracking and maintaining patient flow within the practice, answering phones, screening calls, taking messages, and answering non‑complex questions. Dental Assistants may also be rotated to other clinics as needed. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education And Experience:

• At least 1 year of experience as a Dental Assistant, including some experience with prosthodontics procedures.
• Dental Assisting training and certificate from an accredited school.
• Dental Radiology Certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• CPR Certification.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Required Skills And Abilities:

• Ability to obtain PA Child Abuse Clearances.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the standard and complex procedures performed in the clinic’s area of specialty.
• Demonstrated ability to provide chair‑side assistance.
• Ability to utilise dental instruments, sterilizer, operatory equipment, infection control equipment, dental x‑ray equipment, and all other standard dental equipment and instruments.
• Must be able to work with a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, patients, and other external contacts.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of dental terminology, procedures, and diagnosis.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise projects and tasks and to respond to multiple requests.
• Demonstrated ability to work with potential pathogens during dental assisting and sterilisation procedures.
• Ability to provide dental assisting within the legal and ethical boundaries set forth by the state.
• Demonstrate lifelong learning.
• Demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt and persevere during times of change.
• Demonstrate a personal commitment to providing strong customer service.
• Ability to transport/assist patients in wheelchairs into operatories and departures as needed.

Essential Duties:

• Chair‑side assisting for faculty and residents with various routine and complex procedures.
• Works with faculty and other supervisors to ensure that patient care is appropriate and efficient.
• Assists with all regulatory compliance (HIPAA, OSHA, emergency preparedness, infection control, etc.) for the dental clinic.
• Sterilize and maintain dental equipment and instruments.
• Run appropriate tests to monitor their function.
• Maintains logs for equipment maintenance and for other safety logs required by the University, School, and Department.
• Maintain and disinfect operatories between and after patient visits.
• Assist patients with recovery and departure.
• Coordinate appliances that are sent out to and received from dental laboratories.
• Coordinate follow‑up for all appliances for patients who have appliances.
• Prepare data reports for the department.
• Ensures that repairs of equipment, furniture, and facilities are handled in a timely manner.
• Perform chart documentation checks.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Coordinate purchasing of inventory and supplies and maintains related records.
• Taking, processing, and mounting of digital X‑Rays.
• Serve as information resource, resolve problems, and refer students, patients, staff, faculty, and the public to proper sources.
• Maintain clinic forms, handouts, and patient education materials.
• Utilize computer, printer, copying, autoclaves, ultrasonic units, operatory suction equipment, infection control materials, dental X‑ray equipment and supplies, amalgamators, curing lights, and high and low speed dental hand pieces, etc.
• Must be able to perform similar functions in other departments within the school if needed.
• Front desk operations when needed including greeting and checking patients into the clinic, scheduling and confirming appointments, creating and maintaining patient files, tracking and maintaining patient flow within the practice, answering phones, screening calls, taking messages, answering questions of a non‑complex nature.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, colour, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.