Dental Assistant

Forsyth County; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsyth County Department of Public Health seeks a full‑time Dental Assistant to support the Dentists at the Cleveland Avenue Dental Center. You will assist with all dental procedures, input treatment plans, handle pre-authorizations, verify patient history, and help with front desk duties including scheduling and records management.

Requirements include completion of an accredited dental assistant program or HS diploma with on‑the‑job training and relevant certifications; a valid driver’s

Qualifications

• Experience as a dental assistant with four‑hand dentistry.
• Knowledge of OSHA standards and infection control.

Responsibilities

• Assist Dentist by preparing trays with instruments and handing them as required.
• Sterilize and care for dental instruments and equipment.
• Maintain records of patients treated and planned future dental work.
• Take, develop, and mount simple dental X‑rays.
• Perform routine lab work such as mixing cements and pouring models.
• Assist with front desk duties and answer patient questions.

Skills

Customer service

Four-handed dentistry

OSHA standards

Dental assisting experience

Treatment plans input

Education

Accredited dental assistant program

HS diploma + on‑the‑job training

Tools

X-ray equipment

Sterilization equipment

Job description

General Statement of DutiesThe Forsyth County Department of Public Health is seeking a full-time Dental Assistant to assist the Dentists with all aspects of the Cleveland Avenue Dental Center. The Dental Assistant is considered to be an essential part of the Dental Clinic. Candidates to be considered for this position should possess great customer service traits, dental assistant experience, knowledge of four-handed dentistry, and familiarity with OSHA standards. The Dental Assistant would need to manage and perform the daily responsibilities of assisting the Dentist in all dental procedures, inputting treatment plans, sending pre-authorizations to insurance companies, verifying patient health history and writing chart notes. The Dental Assistant will also assist with front desk duties, including answering phones, scheduling appointments, checking patients in and out, maintaining patient records, and assisting patients with questions about the Dental Center.

Work Schedule

Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Distinguishing Features

• Working knowledge of dental equipment and supplies.
• Working knowledge of dental diseases, general dentistry, and treatment procedures.
• Ability to use the sterilizer and care for dental instruments and equipment.
• Ability to learn procedures helpful in dental work as directed by the Dentists.
• Ability to deal tactfully with patients.
• Ability to keep simple records and to prepare reports.

Minimum Education And Experience

• Graduation from an accredited dental assistant course; or
• Graduation from high school and three years of on-the-job training as a dental assistant, including certification for coronal polishing and dental radiography, and willing to train in supervision of nitrous oxide.

Certified Dental Assistant preferred.

A higher education level may be considered as a substitution for all or part of the experience requirement.

Driver's license required to drive to local schools or other community sites for sealant projects and/or health fairs.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Assists in rendering treatment by preparing trays with necessary instruments and supplies and handing these to the Dentist as required.
• Sterilizes and takes care of dental instruments and equipment.
• Maintains records indicating the number of patients treated, the kind of treatment rendered, and future dental work to be done.
• Takes, develops, and mounts simple X-rays.
• Performs routine laboratory work such as mixing cements, pouring models, and making bite blocks.
• Assists in maintaining supplies required in the dental clinic.
• Performs related work as required.