Dental Assistant

Actalent; New Mexico; On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Santa Fe, NM is seeking a Dental Assistant to support a busy clinic with chairside assistance, sterile processing, and precise clinical documentation using Dentrix. The role is based at the Santa Fe Indian Health Center with potential cross-site coverage at nearby clinics in Española and Cochiti, NM.

The ideal candidate will be a CODA-accredited program graduate with a CDA credential and current BLS, experienced in charting with Dentrix and infection control.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a CODA-accredited dental assistant program.
• DANB CDA credential.
• Current BLS certification.
• Proficiency documenting in Dentrix including charting and notes.
• Strong infection control and sterile processing skills.
• Ability to work with diverse patient populations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare instruments, materials, and operatories for patient visits and procedures.
• Take and record patients' vital signs per protocols.
• Document treatments and charting in Dentrix.
• Maintain supplies and inventory; requisition materials as needed.
• Sterilize instruments and ensure proper storage per infection control standards.
• Educate patients on preventive oral health and post-treatment care.
• Keep treatment areas clean, organized, and ready for procedures.
• Assist with room turnover and equipment maintenance.
• Collaborate with providers and interpreters to support diverse patients.

Skills

Dental assisting

CDA credential

BLS certification

Dentrix documentation

Infection control

Communication skills

Education

CODA-accredited program

DANB CDA credential

BLS certification

Tools

Dentrix

Job description

Job Description

Job DescriptionJob Title: Dental AssistantJob Description

This Dental Assistant role supports a busy dental clinic by providing high-quality chairside assistance, maintaining a safe and sterile environment, and ensuring accurate clinical documentation. The position focuses on delivering compassionate patient care, supporting dental providers during procedures, and helping keep the clinic well-organized and fully stocked.

Responsibilities

• Prepare instruments, materials, and operatories for patient visits and planned dental procedures to ensure efficient and safe clinical workflows.
• Take and record patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure, in accordance with clinical protocols.
• Accurately document treatments, dental charting, and clinical notes in Dentrix to maintain complete and precise patient records.
• Maintain dental supplies and equipment by monitoring inventory levels, requisitioning materials, and ensuring all items are available when needed.
• Clean, package, and sterilize dental instruments following established infection control and sterile processing procedures, and ensure proper storage of all instruments.
• Deliver clear patient education on preventive oral health practices and post-treatment care instructions to support positive outcomes and patient understanding.
• Keep the clinic clean, safe, and fully operable by performing routine cleaning tasks and ensuring treatment areas are orderly and prepared.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance as directed to support reliable and safe operation of dental equipment.
• Assist with room sterilization and turnover between patients, including disinfection of surfaces and preparation of treatment areas.
• Conduct inventory and supply management activities, including tracking usage, organizing storage, and supporting timely ordering of materials.
• Collaborate effectively with dental providers, clinic staff, and interpreters to support patients from diverse backgrounds.

Essential Skills

• At least 24 months of dental assisting experience, or demonstrably equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Graduate of a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)–accredited dental assistant program.
• DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Proficiency documenting in Dentrix, including dental charting and clinical notes.
• Demonstrated skill in sterile processing, including cleaning, packaging, and sterilizing instruments.
• Ability to clean, package, and sterilize instruments and ensure proper storage in accordance with infection control standards.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, and bend for extended periods while performing clinical duties.
• Ability to work effectively with multicultural patients and interpreters in a clinical setting.
• Comfort with room sterilization, inventory oversight, and supply management tasks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in dental clinics that serve diverse and multicultural patient populations.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in clinical documentation and charting.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple tasks such as instrument processing, room preparation, and inventory control.
• Effective communication skills to deliver patient education on prevention and post-treatment care.
• Ability to follow established clinical protocols, infection control procedures, and equipment maintenance guidelines.
• Interest in a long-term opportunity, with potential for a multi-year engagement.

Work Environment

The role is based within a clinical dental setting that supports patients in Santa Fe and surrounding communities. This is an awarded position associated with the Santa Fe Indian Health Center and may include providing support at additional dental clinics such as Santa Clara Health Center Dental in Española, NM, or Cochiti Health Clinic Dental in Cochiti, NM, as needed. The environment involves working in fully equipped dental operatories with standard dental instruments, sterilization equipment, and digital systems such as Dentrix for charting and clinical notes. The position requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, and bending for extended periods while assisting with procedures and preparing rooms. The clinic emphasizes a clean, organized, and sterile workspace, with regular room sterilization, instrument processing, and equipment maintenance forming part of the daily routine. The team works collaboratively with interpreters and serves a multicultural patient population, creating a setting that values cultural sensitivity, clear communication, and patient-centered care. Attire is