Dental Assistant - 995993

Nova Southeastern University (NSU), founded in 1964, is a not-for-profit, independent university known for academic excellence and innovation. We offer competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package including tuition waiver, retirement plan, and excellent medical and dental plans. NSU is a tobacco-free campus committed to the health and welfare of its community.

About the Role

Provides hands-on support to students, residents, and faculty in assigned clinics; prepares patients for dental treatments and sets up operatories. May sterilize instruments.

Salary varies depending on years of experience as a dental assistant.

Responsibilities

• Provides chairside assistance for students, residents, and faculty in designated clinics.
• Plans the set-up of operatories, instruments, and materials according to scheduled procedures.
• Takes and processes digital x-rays and dental impressions.
• Assists with obtaining documents of patients’ dental history as well as overall health and medication history.
• Maintains operatories according to proper infection control protocols to ensure adherence to OSHA and infection control regulations.
• Enters data/patient information into electronic health record systems.
• Monitors inventory of dental supplies.
• May monitor oral sedation or general anesthesia procedures.
• May provide postoperative instructions as directed by the dentist.
• May assist with sterilization and dispensing of instruments.
• Performs other duties and completes special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Expanded Duties Certificate.
• Experience levels:
  • Level I: 1–2 years of experience as a Dental Assistant in a dental office, or completion of an AA Dental Assisting Program.
  • Level II: 2–4 years of experience as a Dental Assistant in a dental office, or completion of an AA Dental Assisting Program plus 1+ years of experience.
  • Level III: 4+ years of experience as a Dental Assistant in a dental office, or completion of an AA Dental Assisting Program plus 2+ years of experience, or completion of a Hygiene or Dental degree.

Skills

• Knowledge:
  • Infection control and OSHA protocols.
  • Customer and personal service principles.
  • Sterile techniques and special procedures.
  • Inventory management practices.
  • Four-handed dentistry.
  • X-ray techniques.
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
  • MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access).
• Skills:
  • Service orientation.
  • Complex problem solving.
  • Judgment and decision making.
  • Time management.
  • Active listening.
  • Speaking.
• Abilities:
  • Manual dexterity.
  • Oral comprehension and expression.
  • Problem sensitivity.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Maintaining confidentiality.
  • Multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment.
  • Willingness to provide coverage in other areas/facilities.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Exposure to sharp instruments, disposable gloves, and personal protective equipment.
• Must be able to identify and understand speech of others (speech recognition).
• Must be able to speak clearly (speech clarity).
• Near vision: ability to see details at close range.
• Daily and/or overnight travel may be required.
• May be required to work nights or weekends.
• May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing.
• May be required to use equipment/supplies such as syringes, latex gloves, pens, pencils, and computer keyboards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Radiology Certificate or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Experience using EHR (electronic health record) systems and dental terminology, preferably Axium dental software.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries.
• Comprehensive benefits package including:
  • Tuition waiver.
  • Retirement plan.
  • Excellent medical and dental plans.