Dental Assistant - Pediatrics

Carolina-Orthodontics-and-Children's-Dentistr; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 51,577,000 - 74,677,000; Full time

Job summary

Carolina-Orthodontics-and-Children's-Dentistr is seeking a dedicated pediatric dental assistant to deliver outstanding, individualized care in every appointment. You will support chairside procedures, patient education, and efficient practice operations.

The role requires experience as a dental assistant, x-ray certification, and strong communication within a team. Join a busy, patient-friendly office focused on quality care for children and families.

Qualifications

• Dental x-ray certification required.
• Proven experience as dental assistant.
• Knowledge of dental instruments and sterilization methods.
• Understanding of health & safety regulations.
• Coronal polishing is a plus.
• Good computer skills.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Well-organized and reliable.
• High school diploma; dental assistant school preferred.

Responsibilities

• Arrive at least 15 minutes early to participate in team morning meeting.
• Welcome patients to the dental office with a smile and positive energy.
• Prepare patients for treatments or checkups ensuring comfort.
• Ensure on-time patient flow and greet patients by name at appointments.
• Assist dentist through 4-handed dentistry and manage instruments/materials.
• Sterilize instruments per regulations using sterile methods.
• Maintain patient records and assist with payments.
• Provide oral hygiene and post-operative instructions to patients/parents.
• Collaborate with clinical and administrative staff to keep the day running smoothly.

Skills

Excellent communication

Patient-focused care

Attention to detail

Organized and dependable

Team collaboration

Computer skills

Education

High school diploma

Dental assistant training preferred

Tools

Practice management software

Job description

Position Summary:

The job of a pediatric dental assistant is to ensure that each patient consistently receives outstanding, individualized service at each treatment appointment.

Responsibilities:

• Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of each clinical day engaged and ready to participate in team morning meeting
• Welcome patients to the dental office with a smile and positive energy
• Prepare patients for treatments or checkups ensuring their comfort
• Ensure that patients have an excellent experience by providing care in a patient-friendly environment. This includes bringing patients back on time for their scheduled appointment and greeting and acknowledging each patient by name at the treatment appointment
• The goal of the assistant is to, over time, get to know the patients and interact with families on an individual level (i.e. team member remembers things about each patient)
• Serve as chairside clinical assistant, demonstrating proficiency in all areas of pediatric dental assisting including, but not limited to: photographs, x-rays, assist the dentist through 4-handed dentistry, select and set up instruments, equipment and material needed, any other duties or responsibilities as assigned by the doctor
• Demonstrate proficiency in dental language and terminology such that clinical assistant can type chart notes using the terms and abbreviations used by the practice
• Demonstrate proficiency in practice management software such that assistant can schedule appointments and cover telephones to help the administrative team when necessary
• Maintain accurate patient records and assist with payment procedures
• Efficiently run clinical chair to see 12-15+ patients per day in a timely manner
• Provide instructions to patients/parents throughout dental treatment
• Sterilize instruments according to regulations via cold sterile, dry-heat, and autoclave methods and undertake lab tasks as instructed
• Work with other team members, both clinical and administrative, to help the day run smoothly
• Provide oral hygiene and post-operative care instructions
• Keep the dental room clean and well-stocked

Qualifications:

• Training Requirements (licenses, programs, or certificates)
• Dental x-ray certification
• Proven experience as dental assistant
• Knowledge of dental instruments and sterilization methods
• Understanding of health & safety regulations
• Ability to perform regulated non-surgical tasks like coronal polishing is a plus
• Good computer skills
• Excellent communication and people skills
• Attention to detail
• Well-organized and reliable
• High school diploma; graduating from dental assistant school is preferred