Dental Assistant - Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics

The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy; Canton (MA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental plan

Vision plan

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Tuition remission

Paid time off

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Canton, MA, is hiring a Dental or Senior Dental Assistant to support clinicians in four-handed dentistry, radiography, sterilization, and patient care within a busy multi-clinic setting.

Ideal candidates hold a Massachusetts Dental Assistant license and radiology certification; Senior requires 5–7 years of chairside experience, while Dental Assistant may have under 1 year. The team offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Massachusetts Dental Assistant license is required.
• Radiology certification is required.
• HIPAA and OSHA infection-control knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentists, hygienists and residents in four-handed dentistry.
• Take digital radiographs and review patient records.
• Sterilize instruments and turnover rooms between patients.
• Support lab work: pour models, polish crowns and impressions.
• Provide front desk support and restock materials.

Skills

Chairside dental assistant

HIPAA compliance

OSHA infection control

Team player

Radiology certification

Education

Massachusetts Dental Assistant License

Radiology Certification

Job description

Overview

This position will be hired as a Dental or Senior Dental Assistant depending on the experience of the candidate. This position is located in Canton, MA.

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) offers one of the most forward-looking educational environments in dental medicine in the country. Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics (formerly Tufts Dental Facilities for Persons with Special Needs) is a network of seven outpatient clinics that provide dental care to approximately 7,000 developmentally disabled patients in the state of Massachusetts under the umbrella of TUSDM and in partnership with the Massachusetts Departments of Public Health (DPH) and Developmental Services (DDS).

In addition to outpatient services, patient care is also delivered in operating room settings at three affiliated hospitals within the state. TSCDC serves as a vital teaching venue for General Practice Residents through the Tufts GPR program and for fourth-year dental students, offering hands-on experience in treating patients with special needs.

What You'll Do

Under limited supervision:

• Assist clinicians (dentists, hygienists, and post-graduate dental residents in training) in four-handed dentistry and hygiene with patient care including prophylaxis/prevention, deep scaling, restorative dentistry, endodontics, oral surgery, and fixed/removable prosthetics.
• Access patient health records to chart findings, review medical history and view radiographs.
• Facilitates patient workflow and takes patient vital signs. Educate patients by providing post-op instructions and oral hygiene tips. Comforts and supports patients to ease anxiety and answer questions.
• Takes digital radiographs (panoramic, periapical, bitewing).
• Turns over treatment rooms between patients, and processes instruments in accordance with proper sterilization infection control practices.
• Work in dental laboratory pouring models, polishing crowns and dentures, taking impressions and making temporary crowns.
• Assist Lead Dental Assistant with management of clinic equipment maintenance and repairs, inventory management and restocking materials and supplies.
• Provide front desk support when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

Basic Requirements

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Dental Assistant: Less than 1 year working as a chairside dental assistant providing direct care.
• Senior Dental Assistant: 5-7 years direct clinical chairside experience.
• Formal and/or on the job dental assistant training program.
• Exhibits knowledge and proficiency with procedural mix within general dentistry.
• Sound knowledge of HIPAA and OSHA compliance regarding infection control, blood-borne pathogens, sterilization, and radiology.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work well on a team and handle multiple tasks efficiently.
• Warm and caring personality needed in helping our patients.
• Positive attitude.
• Massachusetts Dental Assistant License.
• Radiology Certification.
• Travel to other clinics required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's Degree, Vocational, or Technical Training.
• 1-3 years working as a chairside dental assistant providing direct care.

Join Tufts University today to take advantage of our wonderful benefits package. In addition to various health, dental, and vision plans, employees enjoy generous time off, tuition remission, retirement plans with strong contributions, life insurance, long-term disability, commuter benefits, and many other perks and discounts!

Senior Dental Assistant

Pay Range

Minimum $27.85, Midpoint $33.15, Maximum $38.50

Dental Assistant

Pay Range

Minimum $25.20, Midpoint $30.10, Maximum $34.90

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.