"Dental Assistant"

Job Summary

Performs comprehensive chairside assisting in all phases of dental care, including emergency dentistry, restorative procedures, pediatrics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, implant surgeries, and periodontics. Supports clinical operations through a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to preventive and routine maintenance of dental operatories and equipment; operation of radiographic equipment and completion of required radiological procedures; and clerical tasks and front-desk/receptionist functions to support patient intake and scheduling. Executes dental laboratory duties, including pouring and trimming molds, and fabricating custom dental appliances (e.g., bleaching trays, mouthguards, splints, nightguards). Serves as a liaison between patients, staff, students, residents, and faculty to facilitate effective communication, workflow coordination, and continuity of care within the Dental College.

Responsibilities

The duties include, but are not limited to:

CHAIR SIDE ASSISTANCE:

Assist dental students, residents, and/or faculty in the treatment of patients requiring emergency, restorative, prosthodontic, periodontic, endodontic, and/or oral surgery services. Participate in four-handed dentistry, providing chairside support with air, water, suction, and instrumentation. Accurately mix and prepare dental materials as required. Assist in managing challenging clinical situations, including apprehensive or pre-medicated adult patients. Aid in the placement of rubber dams and the preparation of local anesthetic syringes. Properly dispose of sharps in designated containers immediately after the patient's discharge. Utilize a mouth mirror for indirect vision and gentle retraction of the patient's cheek, maintaining patient comfort and avoiding unnecessary pressure on oral tissues. Operate high-volume evacuation equipment with care and precision, ensuring suction remains stable during the use of handpieces or instruments. Comply with all published guidelines regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and clinical infection control protocols. Maintain awareness of MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets), and properly handle and dispose of hazardous materials.

OPERATORY MAINTENANCE AND SUPPLY MANAGEMENT:

Manages and replenishes dental and specialty supplies to ensure operatories are consistently stocked and ready for use. Maintains assigned operatories in a clean, organized, and fully functional state throughout the day. Ensures dental equipment is cleaned and maintained in proper operative condition daily. Prepares, packages, and maintains dental instruments and equipment in accordance with infection control protocols, including coordination with Central Sterilization to ensure timely processing and retrieval, thereby supporting clinical operations.

DENTAL LABORATORY SUPPORT AND PROSTHODONTIC FABRICATION:

Performs a variety of dental laboratory tasks, including pouring prosthodontic models from impressions, cleaning and trimming models, boxing and waxing impressions, and fabricating custom appliances. Constructs custom trays, night guards, mouth guards, bleaching trays, and bite rims to support patient care and prosthodontic treatment planning. Polishes dentures and prosthodontic appliances to ensure proper finish and patient comfort. Takes and mounts face-bow records to achieve proper occlusion for cast restorations. Relines dentures using both hard and soft reline materials as needed for clinical adjustments.

RADIOLOGY:

Operates dental radiographic equipment to obtain intraoral and extraoral images as requested by clinical faculty or providers. Explains radiographic procedures clearly to patients to ensure understanding and cooperation. Properly positions and secures lead aprons and collars to protect patients during imaging procedures. Processes, reviews, and uploads radiographs into the patient's electronic record system, ensuring accurate and timely documentation.

OPERATORY PREPARATION:

Prepares operatories for patient treatment, ensuring appropriate instruments, materials, and equipment are laid out according to procedural requirements. Seats and drapes patients, explains upcoming procedures to ensure patient understanding and comfort. Assists with clinical procedures by mixing materials for impressions and restorations and assembling anesthetic syringes. Prepares surgical operatories, including proper draping of all fields to maintain a sterile environment following surgical protocols. Assists in various specialty areas as needed, depending on clinic demands and work schedule availability.

CLINICAL DOCUMENTATION AND CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT:

Enters clinical findings into the electronic health record as dictated by the dentist and ensures patient medical and dental histories are accurately updated. Assists in scheduling follow-up appointments to support continuity of care. Provides support across departmental areas as needed to ensure smooth clinical and academic operations. Assists with the fabrication of instructional materials and items used in pre-clinical courses, contributing to the educational mission of the Dental College.

OUTREACH, BOARD SUPPORT, AND SPECIAL EVENT PARTICIPATION:

Provides dental assisting services at off-campus sites where the Dental College of Georgia delivers educational programs or patient care, utilizing personal transportation with mileage reimbursed at Augusta University rates. Participates in board examinations, including ADEX, CRDTS, Mock Boards, and other certification events as needed throughout the year. This may include weekend assignments. Assists with Health Fairs and community outreach efforts, both on and off campus, by supporting faculty in screenings, distributing educational materials, engaging with participants, and promoting the mission and services of the Dental College of Georgia.

INFECTION CONTROL, SAFETY, AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:

Follows all published guidelines regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and clinical infection control protocols as established by federal and state regulations, Augusta University, and the Dental College of Georgia. This includes, but is not limited to, the proper disposal of sharps (such as syringes, needles, and scalpel blades), handling of contaminated materials, and disposal of hazardous waste. Adheres to institutional emergency response protocols, including incident reporting procedures in the event of a medical emergency. Prepared to administer basic emergency support procedures until professional medical personnel arrive.

OTHER:

Perform all other duties as assigned by DCG management.

Required Qualifications

High School graduate, GED or equivalent from a recognized state or federal accrediting organization with one year of related experience.

OR

Certified Dental Assistant and/or Associate's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in an applicable related field of study.

Preferred Qualifications

Graduation from a certified Dental Assisting program with three years of experience to include previous experience mixing dental materials, taking x-rays, chair side dental assisting skills/knowledge in multiple dental disciplines.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

KNOWLEDGE

• Understanding of dental terminology, procedures, and infection control protocols.
• Familiarity with chairside assisting in general dentistry and various specialties (e.g., oral surgery, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics).
• Working knowledge of dental instruments, materials, and sterilization techniques.
• Basic knowledge of radiographic techniques and safety protocols (if radiograph-certified).
• Awareness of HIPAA regulations and standards for patient confidentiality.
• Understanding of dental charting systems and electronic health records (EHR).

SKILLS

• Proficient in four-handed dentistry and the use of dental suction, retraction, and isolation techniques.
• Skilled in taking and processing dental radiographs.
• Capable of preparing dental materials (e.g., amalgam, impression materials, cements).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for interacting with diverse patients, students, and dental professionals.
• Efficient in managing time, multitasking, and maintaining a clean, organized operatory.

ABILITIES

• Ability to remain calm, focused, and effective in fast-paced or stressful clinical situations.
• Ability to follow complex instructions accurately and anticipate the needs of the dentist during procedures.
• Ability to accommodate varying dentist styles and adapt quickly to changing procedures and clinical needs.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision on routine duties.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exhibit sound judgment when handling patient information.