Dental Assistant - Per Diem

Fenway Health; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Fenway Health seeks a Dental Assistant to support dentists, residents, and hygienists in direct patient care. The role includes sterilization, chair-side assistance, and inventory control, with administrative duties as assigned.

Required MA Dental Assisting License, CPR (BLS), and Radiology certification; strong teamwork, communication, and multitasking skills are essential in this busy clinic environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED certificate.
• Current Massachusetts Dental Assisting License.
• Current CPR (BLS) certification.
• Radiology certification.
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentists and hygienists in direct patient care.
• Prepare operatory and sterilize instruments per protocols.
• Maintain inventory and documentation of supplies.
• Perform clerical tasks to maintain patient charts and scheduling.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED certificate

Massachusetts Dental Assisting License

CPR (BLS) certification

Radiology certification

Tools

Epic

Job description

Under the direction of the Dental Assistant Supervisor, the Dental Assistant is responsible for assisting the dentists, dental residents, and dental hygienists in the direct provision of primary care dental services to patients of the center. The Dental Assistant is also responsible for sterilization, preparation, chair side assisting, inventory control of dental instruments and supplies. The Dental Assistant will also be required to perform administrative tasks as designated by the Dental Administrative Supervisor.

Representative Duties

1. Performs duties which assist the dentist(s) and hygienist in the care and treatment of patients

• Assists patients in resolving minor difficulties, answering their questions and giving directions to patients as authorized by the dentist or dental hygienist
• Serves as dentist’s or dental hygienist’s chair-side assistant
• Prepares operatory for patient treatment as per Dental Department protocols and the dentist’s or dental hygienist’s directions
• Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by the dentist in accordance with state regulation and law and Dental Department directive and protocol
• Maintains Dental Department equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s directions and Dental Department policy and protocol
• Maintains all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental Department directives and protocols as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues
• Responsible for the sterilization of instruments, and the cleaning and routine maintenance of equipment and work areas
• Maintains inventory of supplies and materials as well as maintain thorough and accurate documentation of inventory
• Performs lab work including custom trays, whitening trays, etc
• Performs clerical functions to maintain patient charts and schedule treatment
• Looking for expired materials in their assigned room

2. Assist with front-end operations when needed

• Greet each client with a smile and welcoming, professional manner
• Answer each phone call in a cheerful and professional manner
• At all times maintain patient confidentiality, speak in quiet tones at the desk with colleagues and clients and behave appropriately for a highly visible position
• Perform reception duties in an efficient, professional and courteous manner
• Follow established policies for appointment scheduling, patient registration and all front desk operations

3. Meets agency participatory expectation

• Adheres to all agency and departmental policies and procedures
• Participates in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested
• Adheres to the highest principles of patient and client confidentiality
• Adheres to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
• Attends all required meetings, in-services and professional trainings
• Maintains professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintains and provides agency with records of continuing education activities
• Serves on agency committees and in professional organizations when requested

4. Performs other related job duties as required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED certificate
• Current Massachusetts Dental Assisting License
• Current CPR (BLS) certification
• Radiology certification
• Able to work effectively at all levels in collaborative team environment
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to attend to multiple tasks at the same time and to prioritize assignments and responsibilities to ensure compliance with established deadlines and protocols
• Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues, patients, clients and vendors across the spectrum of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, national origin and immigrant status, religious or spiritual identity, disability (physical, mental, emotional and developmental), veteran status, and/or limited English proficiency.
• Willingness to contribute towards Fenway’s efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization and promoting a culture dedicated to ongoing development in service of humility, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, where differences are acknowledged and valued.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited course in dental assisting
• Knowledge of Epic
• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, and other office procedures and terminology
• Ability and willingness to learn

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Work involves considerable exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, unpleasant odors and/or loud noises
• Moderate physical activity Requires handling average-weight objects up to 15-20 pounds, assisting with patients and standing and/or walking for most the day
• Will work with blood or blood-borne pathogens and will require OSHA training
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment

LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.