Dental Assistant 2

Job Description

The position serves as the lead assistant to the faculty, residents, and student dentists, coordinating day-to-day operations of the Pediatric Dental Clinic. The Dental Assistant 2 assists in providing pediatric dental care and education, performs basic research, and provides reception desk coverage.

Essential Functions

• Provide chair-side assistance during dental procedures, including examinations, teeth cleaning, restorations, endodontic therapies, surgical therapies, emergency procedures, and space maintenance procedures. Detect adverse reactions and notify the dentist. Educate patients and guardians about oral health.
• Maintain clinical areas according to OSHA regulations, clean between patients, prepare clinic for the day's schedule, clean and restock cubicles, instruments, and equipment, report repairs, turn off equipment, and secure the area at the end of the clinic day.
• Organize and maintain clinical supplies and instruments, prepare and submit pre-requisitions, submit monthly reports, obtain and compile laboratory invoices, audit expiration dates, and dispose of outdated materials according to guidelines.
• Coverage at the reception desk, answer and return phone calls, schedule patients, open patient encounters, verify insurance, and check for pre-determinations before treatment begins.
• Perform basic research activities, distribute surveys, gather data for faculty research, maintain data for students' activities, and ensure residents' encounters are closed within timeframes.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of patient record, filing, and tracking systems.

Non-Essential Functions

• Participate in organizing dental care/educational events, such as Give Kids a Smile Day.
• Train interns and assist with temporary help regarding operational procedures.

Contacts

• Department: Daily contact with clinic faculty, residents, and student dentists for patient care. Contact with cashiers, dispensary staff, receptionists, and graduate department specialty clinic personnel.
• University: Little or no contact with other departments expected.
• External: Daily contact with patients and guardians for care. Occasional contact with insurance companies and vendors.
• Students: Daily contact with graduate students for patient care and training.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees.

Qualifications

• Experience: 1 to 3 years of dental assisting experience.
• Education/Licensing: High School education, Dental Assistant certification, current radiology certification, annual CPR certification.

Required Skills

• Firm knowledge of dental materials and instruments.
• Technical knowledge of dental assistance and sterilization practices.
• Basic knowledge of insurance codes and forms, Axium dental software.
• Basic knowledge of ordering and inventory control.
• Good organizational skills, excellent judgment, strong sense of responsibility, initiative.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including email correspondence.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced office environment.
• Willingness to learn and work with AI tools and technologies.
• Ability to support, educate, and advocate for all students, aligning with university values, mission, and messaging, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face-to-face.

Working Conditions

This work is performed in a clinical setting, requiring general knowledge of chemicals, blood-borne pathogens, and lab safety. Hepatitis B inoculation and annual TB testing are required. Annual renewal of bloodborne pathogen training/testing is required. Must be able to lift up to 45 pounds.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.