Clinical Dental Assistant -Dentistry Special Needs Clinic

Market Range: 05

Hiring Salary: $19.10/Hourly

JOB SUMMARY/ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, the Clinical Dental Assistant provides specialized chairside and clinical practice support for faculty, residents, and dental students in the Special Needs Clinic. The Clinical Dental Assistant in the Special Needs Clinic supports the delivery of comprehensive dental care to patients with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities. This role involves preparing treatment areas, assisting dentists during procedures, managing patient comfort and safety, and maintaining strict infection control protocols. This position plays a key role in creating a compassionate, respectful, and accommodating environment for patients with special healthcare needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides chairside assistance, such as oral evacuations, retractions, and instrument exchange, for faculty members.
2. Exposes, processes, labels x-ray film (including periapical, occlusal, and panoramic film).
3. Supplies providers with equipment, instruments, and materials for procedures at the chairside; prepares rubber dam at the chairside for isolation.
4. Prepares and mixes dental materials (alginate, amalgam, composite, cement, etc.)
5. Ensures working area, instruments, and equipment meet OSHA sterilization regulations
6. Prepares and mixes impression materials. Monitors and maintains the safety of nitrous oxide usage. 
7. Documents the patient record as the doctor dictates findings
8. Answer multi-line phones and make patient appointments.
9. Maintains necessary inventory supplies and equipment.
10. Cleans and disinfects the working area.
11. Comply with daily work assignments between Dunn and Le Bonheur.
12. Performs other related duties as assigned.  

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:  

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 

EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of experience working in a dental office or academic institution. Must maintain registration as a licensed dental assistant in the State of Tennessee. Nitrous Oxide Monitoring and Radiology Certification required. (PROOF OF LICENSURE IS REQUIRED). (Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) with the Dental Assistant National Board Certification (DANB) is preferred. Graduate of CODA accredited school preferred.)

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: A Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in the State of Tennessee, with certification in radiology and nitrous oxide monitoring is required. Must acquire and maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. Must maintain TN state dental assistant licensure. (PROOF OF LICENSURE IS REQUIRED)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of all areas of dental assisting as outlined by the State of Tennessee Board of Dentistry to include setup of operatory, instrument transfer, and correct sequencing of instruments and dental material, according to the particular procedure.
• Ability to provide all supportive services or procedures necessary to protect the physical well-being of the patient during routine treatment procedures and during periods of emergencies, including, but not limited to physical positioning of the patient, monitoring of vital signs, assistance during administration of life-support activities, and any other non-invasive procedures deemed necessary by the supervising dentist to maintain the health and safety of the patient.

WORK SCHEDULE: This position may occasionally work weekends and some holidays.