Dental Assistant

About the role

Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry is searching for a Dental Assistant! As the second-oldest dental school in the U.S., the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry upholds a legacy of innovation in dental education, research efforts, community service and pioneering healthcare services. Founded in 1863, Kornberg remains a pillar in the dental community.

We have more than 7,000 alumni currently redefining the field of oral health around the world. In 2023, the school proudly celebrated its 160th Anniversary. Kornberg supports health and wellness through a range of diverse educational programs and comprehensive patient services. Our students become dedicated and ethical professionals who honor the traditional models of dental care while staying focused on discovering new ones.

We train the experts who lead the field. Our renowned faculty and staff provide students with a wealth of opportunities and resources, including smart classrooms, digital dentistry labs, clinics and a preclinical lab that emphasizes collaboration. Students pursue postbaccalaureate, predoctoral, continuing education and advanced education in general dentistry programs.

Become a part of the Temple family and you will have access to the following: Full medical, dental, vision coverage Paid time off 11 Paid Holidays Tuition remission - eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree TUITION FREE A generous retirement plan and so much more!

Position Summary

The Dental Assistant will provide assistance to the students, residents and faculty in the treatment of dental patients in the School of Dentistry. Primary responsibilities will be rotating along with other Dental Assistants between the clinic dispensary and walking the clinic floor to assist students.

While working in the dispensary the Dental Assistant will be distributing and collecting instruments from students, maintaining supplies within the dispensary, and maintaining logs for equipment maintenance, infection control and safety protocols required by the University, School, and Department for Infection Control.

While on the clinic floor the Dental Assistant will be responsible for assisting students including gathering additional supplies or equipment for them, taking x-rays using digital imaging, pouring and trimming dental impressions, and performing 4 handed dentistry.

Other responsibilities will include supporting medical emergencies, monitoring emergency drug and oxygen supplies, monitor infection control and safety protocols, maintaining and disinfecting operatories between and after patient visits, uploading x-rays and other patient related data into axium, monitoring and ordering supplies, troubleshooting equipment and instruments, and assisting with the sterilization process.

In addition, there will also be times where the Dental Assistant will be responsible for front desk operations when needed including greeting and checking patients into the clinic, scheduling and confirming appointments, creating and maintaining patient files, tracking and maintaining patient flow within the practice, answering phones, screening calls, taking messages, answering questions of a non-complex nature.

Performs other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience: At least 6 months experience as a Dental Assistant. Dental Assisting training and certificate from an accredited school. Dental Radiology Certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. CPR Certification. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Required Skills and Abilities: *Ability to obtain PA Child Abuse Clearances. *Demonstrated knowledge of the standard and complex procedures performed in the clinics area of specialty. *Demonstrated ability to provide chair-side assistance. *Ability to utilize dental instruments, sterilizer, operatory equipment, infection control equipment, dental x-ray equipment, and all other standard dental equipment and instruments. *Must be able to work with a diverse populations of students, faculty, staff, patients and other external contacts. *Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and organizational and interpersonal skills. *Demonstrated knowledge of dental terminology, procedures and diagnosis. *Demonstrated ability to prioritize projects and tasks and to respond to multiple requests. *Demonstrated ability to work with potential pathogens during dental assisting and sterilization procedures. *Ability to provide dental assisting within the legal and ethical boundaries set forth by the state. *Demonstrate lifelong learning. *Demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail. *Ability to adapt and preserver during times of change in circumstances. *Demonstrate a personal commitment to providing strong customer service.

Essential duties: *Works with faculty and other supervisors to ensure that patient care is appropriate and efficient. *Assists with all regulatory compliance (HIPPA, OSHA, emergency preparedness, infection control, etc.) for the dental clinic. *Sterilize and maintain dental equipment and instruments.

Run appropriate tests to monitor their function. *Maintains logs for equipment maintenance and for other safety logs required by the University, School, and Department. *Maintain and disinfect operatories between and after patient visits. *Coordinate appliances that are sent out to and received from dental laboratories.

Coordinate follow-up for all appliances for patients who have appliances. *Prepare data reports for the department. *Ensures that repairs of equipment, furniture and facilities are handled in a timely matter. *Perform chart documentation checks. *Maintains patient confidentiality at all times. *Coordinate purchasing of inventory and supplies and maintains related records. *Chair side assisting for faculty and students as needed. *Taking digital x-Rays and uploading into the electronic health record *Serve as information resource, resolves problems, and refers students, patients, staff, faculty and public to proper sources. *Maintain clinic forms, handouts, and patient education materials. *Utilize computer, printer, copying, autoclaves, ultrasonic units, operatory suction equipment, infection control materials, dental X-ray equipment and supplies, amalgamators, curing lights, and high and low speed dental hand pieces, etc. *Must be able to perform similar functions in other departments within the school if needed. *Front desk operations when needed including greeting and checking patients into the clinic, scheduling and confirming appointments, creating and maintaining patient files, tracking and maintaining patient flow within the practice, answering phones, screening calls, taking messages, answering questions of a non-complex nature. *Perform other duties as assigned.

Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the institution.

Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, University and employment policies and regulations, including NCAA regulations for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact. Temple University's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains statistics, policies, and procedures related to campus safety.