Dental Assistant - Pediatrics

Carolina Pediatric Dentistry; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Carolina Pediatric Dentistry is seeking a pediatric dental assistant dedicated to delivering outstanding, individualized care at each treatment visit.

You will support the dentist with 4-handed dentistry, maintain patient records, and help ensure smooth daily operations while keeping patients and families comfortable and informed.

Qualifications

• Must have a proven dental assisting background and supervise routine patient care.
• Knowledge of dental instruments and sterilization methods is required.
• Familiarity with health & safety regulations for dental offices is expected.
• Ability to perform regulated non-surgical tasks like coronal polishing is a plus.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with dental software are necessary.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients with a friendly demeanor and prepare them for treatment.
• Support the dentist with 4-handed dentistry and instrument setup.
• Maintain patient records and assist with billing procedures.
• Raise the standard of patient experience by timely arrival and personalized care.
• Ensure the dental room is clean, organized, and well-stocked.

Skills

Proven experience as dental assistant

Knowledge of dental instruments

Sterilization methods

Health & safety regulations

Good computer skills

Excellent communication

Attention to detail

Well-organized and reliable

Education

High school diploma

Dental assistant school

Dental x-ray certification

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