Dental Assistant

Midtown Health Center Inc; Norfolk (NE); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Midtown Health Center Inc in Norfolk, NE, is seeking a Dental Assistant to support dental care delivery by preparing rooms, patients, instruments, and materials. Duties include taking X-rays, coronal polishing, impressions, and patient education.

You will assist with radiographs and coronal polishing certification and perform essential duties for an efficient clinic. The role requires maintaining HIPAA/OSHA standards, welcoming patients, and ensuring a safe, clean environment.

Qualifications

• Completion of a CODA approved dental assisting course with radiography.
• CODA approved program including coronal polishing or 1500 hours plus polishing course.
• Experience with digital X-rays and electronic dental records preferred.
• BLS certification required.

Responsibilities

• Welcomes patients and makes them comfortable before, during, and after treatments.
• Prepares patients for care by directing them to the dental chair and arranging instruments.
• Verifies patient information, reviews medical history, and records vital signs.
• Provides patient education on oral hygiene and post‑op care.
• Completes records by documenting examinations and results.
• Maintains clinic flow through room turnover, sterilization, and stocking.
• Assists team members with clinical, administrative, or clerical duties.
• Maintains an aseptic environment and safe working conditions.

Skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Critical thinking

Time management

Teamwork

HIPAA compliance

OSHA compliance

Education

High school diploma

CODA approved radiography course

CODA approved coronal polishing program

BLS certification

Driver's license

Tools

Digital X-rays

Electronic dental records

Job description

Full Time Norfolk, NE, US

Job Summary:

A Dental Assistant supports dental care delivery by preparing treatment rooms, patients, instruments, and materials. Performs dental services including taking X-rays, coronal polishing, taking and processing impressions, and patient education.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Welcomes patients and makes them feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatments.
• Prepares patients for the dental care visit by directing and/or accompanying them to the dental chair; helps patients to position themselves for the examination and/or treatment; arranges instruments, supplies, and equipment.
• Verifies patient information by interviewing patient; reviews and/or records medical history; takes vital signs; and confirms purpose of the visit or treatment.
• Provides patient education on proper oral hygiene, post-operative instruction, or other information regarding care to patients or callers as directed by Dentist or Hygienist.
• Completes records by recording patient examination, treatment, and results.
• Maintains clinic flow via room turn‑around which includes sterilization, stocking, and cleaning.
• Provides assistance, support, and relief to other dental team members with clinical, administrative, clerical, or business duties.
• Assists in maintaining an efficient, safe, secure, ordering, and aseptic environment of care for all patients and employees.
• Taking and processing alginate impressions
• Assisting with the delivery of bleach trays and can review the proper use and care of the trays with the patient
• At the denture delivery appointment, placing the upper and lower dentures in the patient’s mouth, and reviewing home care
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Duties 1 through 9 are designated as ADA Essential Functions and must be performed at the appropriate level. All other job duties are secondary functions.

Dental Assistant with Radiograph Certification

• Can perform all duties listed above.
• Has obtained the appropriate certification to take radiographs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Duties 1 and 2 are designated as ADA Essential Functions and must be performed at the appropriate level. All other job duties are secondary functions.

Dental Assistant with Coronal Polishing Certification

• Can performs all duties listed above.
• Has obtained the appropriate certification for coronal polishing.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Duties 1 and 2 are designated as ADA Essential Functions and must be performed at the appropriate level. All other job duties are secondary functions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to efficiently carry out Midtown Health's Center mission statement and comply with its policies and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, co-workers, and the public and to be able to demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information in accordance to HIPAA regulations.
• Ability to comply with all occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
• Ability to utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills to address clinic's needs.
• Ability to interpret oral and written instructions and do appropriate follow-up.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Must have exceptional time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to constructively participate in quality improvement efforts.
• Ability to actively participate in marketing and outreach activities when requested and emergency response events when required.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) verbal and written skills highly desired.
• Knowledge of current standard dental concepts, practices, procedures, and terminology.
• Must have knowledge and ability to practice in accordance with the Nebraska Dentistry Practice Act.
• Ability to organize files.

Education and Experience, Licensure and Certification:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Completion of a CODA approved dental assisting course which provides training in dental radiography required for Dental Assistant with Radiograph Certification.
• Graduate of a Commission of Dental Accreditation CODA approved dental assistant program which included a coronal polishing course or completion of 1500 hours of work experience AND completion of a board approved course in coronal polishing procedures required for Dental Assistant with Coronal Polishing Certification.
• Experience with digital x-rays and electronic dental records preferred.
• Certification in X-ray and coronal polishing preferred.
• Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) required.
• Must have a valid driver's license and the ability to utilize own transportation for work purposes.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
• Must have the ability to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard.
• Vision and hearing within normal parameters to perform job requirements.

Working Conditions/Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to work varied and extended hour scheduling as requested including early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends.
• Ability to work in a smoke‑free and drug‑free work environment.
• Requires frequent exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a dental clinic.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Statement:

Midtown Health Center is an equal opportunity employee and will consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, or because he or she is a protected veteran.