Dental Assistant III - Community Dentistry

Creighton University; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dental Assistant III for Community Dentistry at Creighton University supports dentists, hygienists and dental students in teaching patient care across community-based settings and the dental clinic, with a focus on pediatric populations in elementary schools.

You will prepare work areas and supplies, maintain equipment and sterilization, ensure proper record keeping, and assist with radiographs while coordinating care across multiple sites and rotation programs.

Qualifications

• Graduated from an accredited Dental Assisting School with Radiology Certification.
• Minimum of 10 years of dental assisting experience.
• Experience with EHR systems, HIPAA/FERPA compliance, and infection control practices.
• Experience with portable/mobile dental equipment and radiographic devices.
• Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and driving experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentists, hygienists, and dental students in teaching patient care.
• Prepare work areas, equipment, instruments, and supplies for patient care.
• Maintain and disinfect equipment, sterilization, and storage.
• Support record keeping and follow-up care across locations.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership & organization

Attention to detail

Equipment setup & maintenance

Radiology & radiographs

MS Office

Dental software

Education

Dental Assisting School with Radiology Certification

Tools

EHR systems

Dental software

MS Office

Job description

Job Description

The Dental Assistant III for Community Dentistry supports dentists, hygienists and dental students in teaching and patient care in both community-based settings as well as the dental clinic. The primary patient populations being served are pediatric within elementary schools. Assists dentists, hygienists, and dental students in teaching best practices of patient care, especially for vulnerable populations in community and clinic settings. Prepares work areas, equipment, instruments, and supplies needed for patient care. Is responsible for maintaining equipment and instruments as well as their proper disinfection, transportation practices, sterilization, and storage. Helps to assure authorization and consent to treat is appropriate and updated medical histories are provided. Helps to ensure record keeping is timely, complete, and appropriate follow‑up care is arranged. Gives guidance and direction to dental students. Collects program and/or billing data as needed for reporting purposes.

Qualifications

• Graduated from an accredited Dental Assisting School with Radiology Certification
• A minimum of 10 years of dental assisting experience.
• Experienced in operating and maintaining dental equipment, notably portable dental units, mobile dental equipment, and portable radiographic equipment.
• Documented experience in complex dental delivery settings
• Experienced in interprofessional communication and the provision of interdisciplinary whole person health care.
• Experience with various electronic healthcare record (EHR) systems, medical and dental record keeping practices. Experienced in applying HIPAA, FERPA, and Infection Control standards in both clinical and community-based settings
• Experience in the social services field and is anticipated to serve as a liaison between the School of Dentistry and the community rotation sites preferred.
• Must possess a valid U.S. driver's license and maintain an acceptable driving record per Creighton's Vehicle Safety policy. Candidates must have a minimum of two (2) years of licensed driving experience and be at least 19 years of age at the time of hire for this role.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong interpersonal/human relations skills- including active listening, empathy, and non‑verbal communication skills.
• Leadership ability and organization skills to manage multiple tasks within time constraints and with the appropriate degree of urgency.
• Attention to detail and anticipatory judgement regarding patient safety, comfort, and follow‑up.
• Ability to set‑up, trouble shoot, maintain, and tear down portable/mobile dental equipment.
• Ability to apply fluoride varnish, successfully secure diagnostic radiographs, and provide post‑operative or oral hygiene instructions in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
• Demonstrated competency in the use of Word, Excel, and MS Office.
• Ability to utilize multiple dental software systems for record keeping, billing, and reporting needs.
• Ability to maintain dental equipment and supply inventories within budget and according to utilization and scope of services.
• Application and adaptation of infection control and asepsis standards across multiple delivery environments including, but not limited to; break down, decontamination, packaging, sterilization, chemical/biological monitoring, logging, tracking, transportation and storage of instrumentation, armamentarium, and PPE.
• Knowledge of dental emergency response and medical emergency kits.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a healthcare team at multiple locations. Must have reliable means for transportation to commute to multiple sites.
• Assist dental students and faculty working with vulnerable populations to include taking radiographs, suctioning, passing instruments and material. Lift, push, pull up to 25lbs of mobile dental equipment and transport of patients with assistive devices.
• Capacity to work independently, efficiently and maintain organization.
• Proficiency in electronic health records for documentation of patient records, excel database and must be comfortable using telehealth as a service delivery method.

About Us

Creighton University is committed to providing a safe and non‑discriminatory educational and employment environment. The University admits qualified students, hires qualified employees and accepts patients for treatment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or other status protected by law. Its education and employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other programs and activities, are administered without unlawful discrimination. Creighton complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities. Applicants with disabilities needing reasonable accommodations to complete the application or hiring process should contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. Creighton University seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to the University's mission and values.