Dental Assistant

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn Medicine is seeking a Dental Assistant to support Oral Surgery NE at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center with various locations including PCAM, Radnor, and PPMC. You will assist physicians, prepare and sterilize instruments, take radiographs, and instruct patients on oral hygiene.

Key responsibilities include chair-side assistance, patient care, radiograph acquisition, sterilization, and maintaining exam room readiness. Certifications and a dental assistant program are required for this role.

Qualifications

• H.S. Diploma/GED required.
• Graduate from a Dental Assistant program required.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (Required).
• CPR certification (Required).
• PA State X-ray Certified (Required).

Responsibilities

• Provide chair side assistance to each physician during dental and surgical procedures.
• Provide general patient care on an ongoing basis as dictated in the health system mission statement.
• Instruct patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, nutrition, and diet counseling.
• Obtain and develop radiographs (full mouth, cephologram, orthopantogram, bitewings, etc.).
• Obtain blood pressure readings on all new patients and on return patients as necessary and document updates on medical history.
• Maintain and sterilize instruments and equipment necessary to perform duties.
• Follow department, entity, and health system policies for managing the cleaning and sterilization of instruments.

Education

H.S. Diploma/GED

Graduate from a Dental Assistant program

Job description

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

Job Title

Dental Assistant

Department

Oral Surgery NE

Location

Penn Presbyterian Medical Center – 51 N 39th St – Varies per department needs. PCAM, Radnor, and PPMC locations.

Entity

CPUP

Hours

Monday – Friday, varies per department needs; as early as 7 a.m.

Summary

Assists the physician during dental and surgical procedures. Provides patient care, prepares and sterilizes instruments and equipment, obtains radiographs, and instructs patients.

Responsibilities

• Provide chair side assistance to each physician during dental and surgical procedures.
• Provide general patient care on an ongoing basis as dictated in the health system mission statement.
• Instruct patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, nutrition, and diet counseling.
• Obtain and develop radiographs (full mouth, cephologram, orthopantogram, bitewings, etc.).
• Obtain blood pressure readings on all new patients and on return patients as necessary and document updates on medical history.
• Obtain and pour intraoral impressions from patients for fabrication of intraoral devices.
• Maintain and sterilize instruments and equipment necessary to perform duties.
• Follow department, entity, and health system policies for managing the cleaning and sterilization of instruments.
• Ensure compliance with sterilization log documentation.
• Ensure appropriate set‑up and inventory in exam room.
• Recement crowns and insert temporary restorations.
• Capable of managing medically compromised patients and providing dental care assistance for medically compromised patients.
• Review daily scheduling reports to ensure the physician’s needs are met for the patient’s encounter.
• Work with the physicians, Lead Dental Assistant, and Supervisor to communicate areas of quality improvement in the department.
• Oversee the management of all medications in the exam rooms, ensuring security of medications at all times.
• Attend required education in‑services.
• Maintain updated license requirements.
• Maintain specialized knowledge of oral and maxillofacial surgery, general dentistry, and oral medicine services by reading current literature and attending appropriate seminars.
• Inform the Lead Dental Assistant and/or Supervisor of major changes affecting clinical care delivery.
• Maintain an appropriate filing system for proper organization.
• Develop, implement, and monitor clinical policy and procedure manual.
• Submit requests for purchase orders through the appropriate system as it pertains to the clinical department.
• Post patient schedule for operatories; identify and mark films properly (name, doctor, medical record number); maintain confidentiality of all patient records and protected health information.
• Follow policy and procedures for the maintenance of medical records and protected health information.

Credentials

• Basic Cardiac Life Support (Required)
• CPR certification (Required)
• PA State X‑ray Certified (Required)

Education or Equivalent Experience

• H.S. Diploma/GED (Required)
• Graduate from a Dental Assistant program (Required)

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.