Dental Assistant 2

Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Winter recess

Job summary

Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland is seeking a Dental Assistant 2 to support the Cornell Oral Health Center for Individuals with Special Needs within the School of Dental Medicine. You will perform four-handed chairside assisting, manage daily clinic operations, and support patient evaluation and treatment planning.

The role requires four-handed dentistry and radiology proficiency, infection control, and collaboration with caregivers, schools, and interdisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Experience: 1 to 3 years of Dental Assisting; experience in special care dentistry preferred.
• Education/Licensing: High School diploma, Certified Dental Assistant, Ohio radiology certification, CPR/BLS.
• Knowledge of OSHA infection control standards and radiographic procedures.
• Familiarity with electronic dental records systems and dental lab procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide four-handed chairside assisting across preventive, restorative, and specialty care.
• Coordinate daily clinic operations and patient intake.
• Maintain infection control and sterilization per OSHA standards.
• Monitor inventory and coordinate supplies and equipment maintenance.
• Prepare and manage dental laboratory cases and submissions.
• Expose and process radiographs with safety standards for special needs patients.
• Coordinate care with caregivers, schools, and interdisciplinary providers.

Skills

Infection control

Four-handed dentistry

Radiographs

Epic EMR

Dental lab procedures

Organizational skills

AI tools

Professional judgement

Attendance

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School Diploma

Certified Dental Assistant

Ohio Radiology Certification

CPR/BLS Certification

Tools

Epic EMR

Job description

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $19.41 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Dental Assistant 2 supports the Cornell Oral Health Center for Individuals with Special Needs within the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the School of Dental Medicine. This role assists providers in delivering comprehensive oral health care to patients with special health care needs, including individuals with physical, developmental, behavioral, and medically complex conditions. Responsibilities include chairside assisting, coordinating daily clinical operations, supporting patient evaluation and treatment planning, and ensuring a safe, efficient, and patient-centered clinical environment. Proficiency in four-handed dentistry and dental radiology is required, with the ability to adapt techniques to meet the needs of special care populations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide four-handed chairside assisting during dental procedures, including preventive, restorative, and specialty care. Adapt techniques to support patients with special health care needs, including behavioral guidance and patient positioning. Assist providers with behavior guidance techniques, including tell-show-do, desensitization, and supportive positioning. Provide reassurance to patients and caregivers to enhance cooperation and comfort during treatment. (60%)
• Coordinate daily clinic operations to support efficient patient care delivery. Review schedules, prepare treatment rooms, and assist with patient intake. Obtain patient records, radiographs, and diagnostic materials, ensuring readiness for provider evaluation and treatment planning. (6%)
• Prepare and maintain clinical areas in compliance with OSHA and infection control standards. Clean and disinfect operatories between patients. Sterilize instruments, transport contaminated materials to central sterilization, and restock supplies. Ensure all equipment is functioning properly and report maintenance needs. (6%)
• Organize and maintain inventory of dental and clinical supplies. Monitor usage, prepare requisitions, and coordinate ordering to ensure adequate stock levels for patient care. (6%)
• Prepare and manage laboratory cases, including impressions, models, and work orders. Maintain accurate records of laboratory submissions, coordinate case pick-up/delivery, and assist with reconciliation of laboratory invoices. (6%)
• Expose and process dental radiographs using modified techniques appropriate for patients and those with special health care needs. Ensure compliance with radiation safety standards. (8%)
• Assist in coordinating patient care with caregivers, schools, and interdisciplinary providers. Support recall and follow-up processes to ensure continuity of care for special needs populations. (6%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Train students, interns, and temporary staff on clinical procedures, infection control, and workflow processes. (2%)
• Perform other duties as assigned.

CONTACTS

Department: Continuous contact with faculty, staff, cashiers, receptionists, all graduate department specialty clinics and clinical instructors to exchange information.

University: Infrequent to no contact.

External: Continuous contact with patients and regular contact with dental labs and vendors to exchange information.

Students: Daily contact with students and residents to exchange information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no direct staff supervisory responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 1 to 3 years of Dental Assisting experience; Experience in special care dentistry preferred.

Education/Licensing: High School education required. Certified Dental Assistant required. Current State of Ohio radiology certification. Annual CPR/BLS certification.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Knowledge of infection control standards, including OSHA guidelines.
• Proficiency in four-handed dentistry and radiographic procedures
• Familiarity with electronic dental records systems (Epic or similar platforms)
• Knowledge of dental laboratory procedures and case management
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and professional judgement
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact effectively with colleagues, supervisors, patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is performed in a clinical setting with exposure to dental materials, chemicals, bloodborne pathogens, and radiographic equipment. Requires adherence to all safety and infection control protocols. Must be able to lift up to 45 pounds to transport instruments and materials.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case‑by‑case basis.