Dental Assistant

OPTIMUS Health Care; Bridgeport (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Multilingual staff

Team-oriented environment

Job summary

OPTIMUS Health Care in Bridgeport, CT is hiring a full-time Dental Assistant for our dental clinic. You will provide four-handed chairside assistance, prep operatories, and help manage patient flow in a collaborative, patient-centered environment.

We welcome new graduates and will provide hands-on training to obtain CT Radiography and Infection Control credentials within 6–9 months. Monday–Friday 8–5 with one late evening per week, located in Bridgeport with potential coverage at other sites.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and completion of an Accredited Dental Assistant program.
• CT Radiography and Infection Control certification required within 6–9 months.
• Spanish speaking preferred.
• At least 2 years of clinical experience.
• Monday–Friday 8–5 with one late evening per week.

Responsibilities

• Provide four-handed chairside assistance to dentists during dental procedures.
• Assist with operatory setup, draping, medicaments, impressions, suction, and instrument handling.
• Manage patient flow: escort, seat, comfort, prep rooms, and inform Front Desk.
• Prepare, sterilize, and organize instruments; ensure instruments are cleaned and dated.
• Maintain dental equipment per manufacturers’ guidelines and radiation safety procedures.
• Develop and process dental radiographs; follow OSHA, CDC, ADA, JCAHO standards.
• Prepare and send laboratory cases to the dental laboratory.
• Pour impressions to make models and send to lab; manage patient health records.
• Record treatment dates in the Dentrix system; provide post-operative care instructions.
• Assist in medical emergencies; enforce infection control protocols.
• Cross-train for front desk duties as needed.

Skills

Chairside assistance

Radiographic imaging

Infection control

Patient management

Spanish language

Education

Dental Assistant program

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Dentrix

Sterilization equipment

Job description

Full Time Technical Bridgeport, CT, US

Join a Team That Makes a Difference at Optimus Health Care!

Are you passionate about providing high-quality, patient-centered care? Optimus Health Care—the largest provider of primary health care services in Fairfield County—is looking for dedicated professionals to join our team! With multiple locations in Bridgeport, Stratford, and Stamford, our mission is to be a lifelong health care partner, dedicated to achieving optimal wellness for the communities we serve.

Optimus Healthcare is looking for afull-time Dental Assistantto join our dental clinic at ourBridgeport, CT location(covering other sites as needed).

Monday-Friday 8-5pm, plus one late evening per week. Subject to change based on site's operational needs.

We welcome recent graduates of Dental Assistant programs who have not yet completed their CT Radiography or Infection Control certification. We’re happy to provide hands on training and support as you prepare to obtain required credentials within 6-9 months of hire. This is a great opportunity for entry-level candidates looking to grow with us!

The Dental Assistant is responsible for providing clinical assistance to the dental clinicians and joins an outgoing team in a collaborative environment, dedicated to achieving optimal wellness for the communities we serve.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• 1. Provide four handed chair side assistance to Dentists when performing dental procedures such as operative, preventive, endodontic, prosthetic, and/or surgical procedures.
• 2. Provide chair side assistance including but not limited to draping patients, preparing the operatory for treatment, preparing and mixing medicaments and impression materials, intra oral suctioning, retracting oral tissues, handing a removing instrument.
• 3. Help management of patient flow by:
  • a. Escort patient to/from the reception area/waiting room.
  • b. Seat each patient and see to their comfort.
  • c. Have all the equipment prepared and ready for use.
  • d. Have the room fully prepared for the patient’s treatment.
  • e. Advise Front Desk Coordinator about special instructions for the patient.
• 4. Prepare, sterilize, and organize instruments and ensure that all dental instruments are cleaned, dated, and processed, according to Department guidelines and standards.
• 5. Monitor and maintain dental equipment, such as compressors, evacuator systems, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers, light curing units, in accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines.
• 6. Develop and process dental radiographs in accordance with provider orders; assists in the monitoring and maintenance of radiation safety procedures and protocols.
• 7. Prepare and send laboratory cases to the assigned dental laboratory.
• 8. Pour impressions to make stone and plaster models, and trims before sending to the laboratory.
• 9. Collect, record and update patient health histories and vital signs. Assist the Dentist in recording treatment dates in the Dentrix system.
• 10. Patient management during dental procedures provides post-operative care and instructions to patients.
• 12. Assist in the prevention and management of medical emergencies in the department.
• 13. Practice infection control and employ the management plan to meet OSHA, CDC, ADA, and JCAHO standards.
• 14. Adapt to cross-training requirements, specifically front desk duties.

Professional attitude, vision, understanding of customer service principals, trustworthiness, and excellent interpersonal skills to successfully accomplish tasks necessary to meet high standards of ethical and social responsibility required by this position.

EDUCATION

High School Diploma or Equivalent plus completed/graduated from an Accredited Dental Assistant Program.

EXPERIENCE

At Least 2 Years Prior Clinical Experience. We welcome recent graduates of Dental Assistant programs who have not yet completed their CT Radiography or Infection Control certification. We’re happy to provide hands on training and support as you prepare to obtain required credentials within 6-9 months of hire. This is a great opportunity for entry-level candidates looking to grow with us.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Spanish Speaking Preferred

REASONING ABILITY

Critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.

LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION

Dental Assistant Certificate, Radiology Health, and Safety Certificate (required within 6-9 months of hire), Infection Control Certificate (required within 6-9 months of hire) CPR certification required upon hire and recertification bi-annually.

Working for Optimus

• OHC provides a fun, fast-paced working environment, where our commitment to quality is present in every job function.
• Excellent health & welfare benefit options
• Optimus and its caring, multilingual staff proudly serve our community in a patient-centered environment.

Optimus is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all

applicants and employees as protected by applicable federal and/or state law.