Lead Dental Assistant

Heartlandhealth; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Lead Dental Assistant in Lawrence, Kansas. This role involves supervising dental assistants, managing equipment, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Ideal candidates should have leadership experience, strong communication skills, and a commitment to delivering high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience as a dental assistant in a supervisory role.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in managing multiple tasks to deliver high-quality patient care.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and train dental assistants, ensuring compliance with standards.
• Manage dental equipment and supplies while overseeing daily operations.
• Assist chairside as needed while maintaining a clean and organized environment.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisation

Teamwork

Detail-Oriented

Bilingual (Spanish)

Education

BLS certification

Tools

Dental software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Director of Dental Services and Healthy Futures

Status

Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Job purpose

The Lead Dental Assistant is responsible for supervising and training dental assistants, ensuring compliance with infection prevention and safety standards, managing equipment and supplies, and maintaining necessary certifications and documentation. The Lead Dental Assistant will also participate in performance evaluations and continue to assist chairside when needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervision and Leadership:
  • Supervise and guide dental assistants.
  • Conduct weekly huddles
  • Oversee daily operations and workflow to ensure efficiency.
  • Serve as a point of contact for dental assistant-related issues and concerns.
• Training and Skill Development:
  • Develop and implement training programs for new dental assistants.
  • Conduct regular skills checks to ensure high standards of performance.
  • Provide ongoing training and opportunities for skill enhancement.
  • Lab equipment and intraoral scanner included in training.
• Equipment and Supply Management:
  • Monitor and maintain dental equipment, ensuring proper functionality and safety.
  • Manage inventory of dental supplies and place orders as needed ensuring fiscal responsibility and good stewardship of Heartland’s resources.
  • Ensure all equipment is properly sterilized and maintained.
  • Work with Facilities Director for any equipment or maintenance needs.
• Infection Prevention and Control:
  • Ensure compliance with Kansas Dental Board, HRSA, OSHA, and other regulatory standards.
  • Implement and monitor Sterility Assurance Program including infection control protocols.
  • Maintain and update infection control documentation and SOPs
• Safety and Compliance:
  • Maintain radiation detection devices and ensure their proper use.
  • Ensure the display of Nomad and licensure certificates at all locations.
  • Conduct regular safety audits and address any issues promptly.
  • Keep digital logs of maintenance schedules
  • Maintain IFU and SDS information.
• Performance Evaluation:
  • Participate in the performance evaluation process for dental assistants.
  • Provide constructive feedback and support professional development.
  • Assist in the creation of performance improvement plans when necessary.
• Assist dentists chairside as needed, ensuring high-quality patient care.
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment.
• Ensure patient comfort and safety during procedures.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Two plus years of experience working as a dental assistant along with experience in a supervisory role.
• Strong knowledge of dental equipment, supplies, and infection control protocols.
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills.
• High energy, positive, ability to work autonomously, flexibility, teamwork, attention to detail, and high degree of initiative
• Ability to train and mentor staff effectively.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in dental software and office management systems.
• Comprehensive understanding of HIPAA privacy rules and regulations.
• Proficient in managing multiple tasks and prioritizing delivering efficient, high-quality patient care.
• Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse participant and employee base
• Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Competent in accurately documenting procedures in electronic health records.
• Proficient in documenting dental procedures neatly and legibly, with correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Ability to follow written policies and procedures meticulously.
• Capable of working independently and exercising good judgment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Must have and maintain BLS certification
• Spanish Bilingual preferred, but not required
• Preferred nitrous oxide training and/or certification
• Agrees to uphold Heartland’s guiding values of Compassion, Respect, Collaboration, and Integrity
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the job

Working conditions

• Sits and walks throughout the day
• May be exposed to infection and contagious diseases, and unpleasant patient or unit elements
• Handles emergency or crisis situations
• Subject to many interruptions
• Must be able to function in a high stress environment
• Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people
• Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions and outdoors
• Requires the ability to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous people and other conflict situations

Physical requirements

• Requires repeating the same physical activities or mental activities over and over
• Requires walking and standing
• Requires using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls
• Requires bending or twisting
• Requires lifting equipment less than 100 lbs. (loading and unloading equipment)

Details

• Hours M-F from 7:30am – 5pm as needed. (Approx. 40hours per week) Hours are approximate and may be altered by supervisor as needed.