Dental Assistant

About the role

Anderson County blends small-town warmth with big scientific impact — from the historic community of Clinton to the innovation legacy of Oak Ridge, known as "The Secret City" from its Manhattan Project roots. The county offers scenic treasures like Norris Lake, the Clinch River, Melton Hill Lake, and miles of rolling hills and wooded trails for hiking, biking, paddling, and fishing, plus Norris Dam State Park and Windrock Park for off-road adventure. A growing mix of local eats, family-friendly spots, festivals, and craft brews makes Anderson County a welcoming place to put down roots and enjoy East Tennessee life.

This position involves a blend of patient care and administrative duties in the Anderson County Dental Clinic, including preparing patients for procedures, assisting dentists during treatments, sterilizing instruments, and educating patients on oral hygiene. The role also assists at the Emory Valley Dental Clinic alongside volunteers one day per month.

Benefits

Anderson County Government offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes generous paid sick and vacation leave, 14 paid holidays, medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending accounts, employer-paid basic life insurance, supplemental insurance options, and a variety of wellness programs and resources to support employees' overall well-being.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentist in the Anderson County Dental Clinic and assist at the Emory Valley Dental Clinic alongside volunteers one day per month
• Support and assist the dental clinic manager in scheduling and providing dental services efficiently
• Work under the direction of the dentist
• Maintain Tennessee Dental Assistant license in good standing and current with no lapse
• Maintain required continuing education through the dental board and keep records
• Maintain active CPR verification (provided by the dental clinic)
• Maintain supplies appropriately and keep rooms well stocked for procedures
• Assist with supply orders (to be approved by the office manager); upon receipt, verify orders against packing slips and provide all records with POs to the office manager after review
• Perform weekly autoclave spore tests and documentation
• Perform monthly autoclave maintenance
• Greet patients when they sign in and monitor arrival time
• Set up treatment rooms for procedures
• Obtain and review health histories according to office protocol
• Ensure patients are always attended to and anticipate dentist's needs
• Acquire x-rays as directed by the dentist
• Chart patients and record date, service rendered, and any charges; ensure proper treatment notes are recorded in patient charts
• Maintain cleanliness of treatment rooms and lab according to sterilization procedures
• Disinfect treatment rooms and sterilize instruments and handpieces per OSHA regulations
• Ensure office sterilization procedures document is on display
• Confirm patient appointments on a weekly basis
• Securely store and handle patient records in compliance with state and federal requirements, including HIPAA privacy and security regulations
• Help in other areas of the office when necessary (answering phones, unpacking supplies, completing insurance forms, etc.)
• Actively participate in team meetings
• Maintain good interpersonal skills to build effective rapport with patients, dentists, other staff members, and the community

Requirements

• Comply with all applicable federal, state, local, and center rules, regulations, protocols, and procedures governing the practice of dentistry and clinical provision of dental care (including personnel issues, workplace safety, public health, and confidentiality)
• Active Registered Dental Assistant License with the State of Tennessee
• Maintain required continuing education for Tennessee license
• CPR certified