Dental Assistant

The ADA Forsyth Institute; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The ADA Forsyth Institute seeks a detail-oriented Dental Assistant to join their team. This position involves assisting with orthodontic procedures and providing exceptional patient care while maintaining a professional environment. The ideal candidate should have a Dental Assistant Certificate and relevant experience, especially in pediatrics.

Benefits

Subsidized medical and dental insurance

Generous paid time off

Matching retirement contributions

Qualifications

• Dental Assistant Certificate, ideally from a 2-year program.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in orthodontics preferred.
• Certification to take radiographs (X-rays) required.

Responsibilities

• Assist orthodontist and dentists at chair side for procedures.
• Perform administrative tasks, manage dental supply inventory.
• Ensure cleanliness and safety standards in clinical operations.

Skills

Patient Care

Clinical Skills

Team Collaboration

Education

Dental Assistant Certificate (preferably 2-year program)

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) or equivalent experience

Job description

Description

The ADA Forsyth Institute was founded in 1910 as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children (later, the Forsyth Institute), to provide dental care to the disadvantaged children of Boston. While continuing to serve children in need, yet recognizing the ultimate goal is to prevent dental disease, the Institute in 1915 began to focus on scientific research and is today the world’s leader in oral health research. In October of 2023, the Institute joined with the American Dental Association to form the ADA Forsyth Institute, a 501(c)(3) entity dedicated to improving people’s oral and overall health and powering the profession of dentistry through cutting-edge basic research, creative translational science, innovative clinical technologies, and global public health outreach. Consistent with the Institute’s founding mission, the ADA ForsythKids mobile dental program continues to serve children in need.

Summary:

ADA Forsyth Faculty Associates Dental Clinic is looking for a dedicated and detail-oriented Dental Assistant, preferably with orthodontic and pediatric dental experience (though not required), to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will assist with chair-side procedures, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for our patients. This position requires a commitment to delivering exceptional patient care in a friendly, professional setting. The successful candidate will be self-driven, collaborative, patient-focused, and possess excellent clinical skills. The work schedule will be Monday - Friday as well as availablity to work some Saturdays.

Employee Benefits:

ADA Forsyth provides a comprehensive benefits program to full-time employees including subsidized medical and dental insurance (effective date of hire), voluntary benefits including vision plan, legal services and discounted memberships and generous paid time off. We also offer a matching contribution to save for retirement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the orthodontist during procedures, including the placement and adjustment of braces and other orthodontic appliances.
• Assist dentists and hygienists at chair side for pediatric dental procedure.
• Set up and breakdown of patient operatory - maintaining appropriate OSHA regulation standards for dentists and hygienists.
• Perform administrative tasks such as updating medical records, managing inventory of dental supplies, and coverage of front desk as needed.
• Maintain general maintenance and cleaning of clinical operations, including x-ray rooms.
• Weekly cleaning and monthly maintenance of the autoclave.
• Safe disposal of clinical hazardous wastes (sharps, blood, mercury, and lead).
• Taking, developing and duplication of patient x-rays and records.
• Cleaning and sterilization of instruments.
• Pour models in the dental lab when needed.
• Initiative - Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Innovation - Generates suggestions for improving work.
• Other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications:

Education, Experience, Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Dental Assistant Certificate (preferably 2-year program; minimum 1-year program).
• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in orthodontics.
• Experience in working in pedodontics – orthodontics office with children; pediatric dental assisting experience is preferred.
• Must be certified to take radiographs (X-rays).

Language Skills

• Able to read, write and speak English.
• Able to comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos, as well as prepare simple and clear correspondence.
• Able to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations, e.g. patients, family members, colleagues, others.

Physical Demands

The physical demands 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The individual is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The individual must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the individual is frequently exposed to sharp instruments and moving mechanical parts. The individual is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADA Forsyth is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.