Dental Assistant- per diem

Boston Children’s Hospital; Brookline (MA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston Children’s Hospital is seeking a Dental Assistant to support clinicians across Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontics and Orthodontics. You will assist with procedures, prepare rooms, take impressions, and manage radiographs while ensuring patient comfort and safety.

The role emphasizes pediatric dental care, proper sterilization protocols, and precise record-keeping within the electronic dental record system.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus CODA-accredited program certificate.
• At least 3 months of on-the-job experience; 1 year in a dental clinic preferred.
• Massachusetts license as a Dental Assistant; BLS/CPR-AEd; DANB RHS exam.

Responsibilities

• Greets and directs patients, provides routine information on procedures, and escorts patients in and out of service area.
• Reviews schedule and equipment needs with provider before the clinical session.
• Prepares room and instruments; passes instruments and instructs patients on dental care as directed.
• Takes dental impressions and produces study models; logs lab information and submits to outside lab.
• Takes, develops, mounts, and files dental radiographs; checks image quality and minimizes radiation exposure.
• Charts teeth and conditions in the electronic dental record; maintains cleanliness of patient areas and sterilizes instruments.
• Monitors equipment and reports problems; restocks supplies in treatment rooms and ED.

Skills

Patient interaction

Sterilization procedures

Radiographs taking

Record keeping

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

CODA-accredited dental assisting program certificate

Tools

Dental radiography equipment

Sterilization equipment

Electronic dental record

Job description

Position Summary:

The Dental Assistant provides technical assistance during dental procedures and examinations according to established protocol and procedures. Supports specialists in Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontics or Orthodontists.

Key Responsibilities:

• Greets and directs patients, provides routine information on procedures, and escorts patients in and out of service area. Calms and soothes anxious/nervous or uncooperative patients throughout the course of their treatment.
• Reviews schedule, planned procedures and additional equipment/instrument needs with assigned provider prior the start of the clinical session.
• Prepares room and instruments for scheduled treatment. Mixes materials and passes instruments to dental provider as requested. As directed by a licensed provider, instructs patients on proper dental care and follow up.
• Takes dental impressions and produces study models. Prepares models according to established procedure for delivery to outside lab facility. Logs lab case information upon submission and return.
• Takes, develops, mounts and files dental radiographs that meet departmental standards for quality and readability. Understands and utilizes proper positioning technique and other requirements when taking panoramic and/or cephalometric films. Checks quality of image and reviews with provider before re-taking an image, to minimize exposure to radiation. Takes digital photographs as instructed. May scan physical (non-digital) images into electronic dental record.
• Charts teeth and conditions in patient’s electronic dental record as directed by the licensed provider.
• Maintains the cleanliness of patient areas, workrooms, and equipment. Cleans, disinfects and maintains dental instrument. Handles sterile instruments and materials according to standard procedures. Ensures operatory is cleaned and sterilized prior to patient examinations.
• Monitors equipment and equipment and reports problems or need for repair promptly to supervisor.
• Monitors status of soiled utility room. Delivers and retrieves instruments and cassettes from Central Sterilization Department.
• Restocks dental supplies in treatment rooms and in Dental treatment room in Emergency Department. Identifies and resolves discrepancies in lab cases sent or returned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

High School or equivalent plus Completion of a CODA Accredited Program Certificate is required.

Experience:

Three months of time on the job experience is required. At least one year of experience working in a Dental Clinic is preferred. Experience working in a Pediatric Dental Practice is highly desirable.

Licensure/ Certifications:

Current Massachusetts license as a Dental Assistant

BLS certification or CPR/AED certification AND

Board approved examination for DANB Radiation Health and Safety RHS