Lead Dental Assistant/Coordinator

About the role

Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry is searching for a Lead Dental Assistant/Coordinator! 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 Lead Dental Assistant/Coordinator will provide assistance to the residents, faculty and students in the treatment of dental patients within the School of Dentistry. Primarily the Lead Dental Assistant/Coordinator be stationed within our main clinic located within the School of Dentistry, but will also rotate to our clinic located within the William D Kelley School in North Philadelphia.

Primary responsibilities will be assisting with various routine and complex surgical dental procedures including preparing chairs or surgical rooms for procedures, welcoming and seating patients into the chair, performing 4 handed dentistry during procedures, and maintaining and disinfecting operatories between and after patient visits.

In addition, the Lead Dental Assistant/ Coordinator will be responsible for support during medical emergencies including monitoring emergency drug and oxygen supplies, and infection control and safety protocols, taking x-rays using digital imaging and uploading x-rays and other patient related data into axium, pouring and trimming dental impressions, ordering and maintaining supplies, troubleshooting dental equipment and instruments, maintaining logs for equipment maintenance and safety required by the University, School, and Department for Infection Control, and assisting with the sterilization process.

In addition, the Lead Dental Assistant/Coordinator will be responsible for the entire range of customer service, front desk and billing functions related to the clinic.

This will include greeting and screening visitors, answering telephones, using Axium to assist with scheduling appointments for patients, insurance verifications, following up with patients to update them on insurance company pre-authorizations or payments owed, manual and electronic billing, payment posting and reconciliation, and follow-up on denied claims or claims requiring additional information.

Performs other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience: At least 1 year of experience as a Dental Assistant including experience with various dental specialty procedures. 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. *Must be able to travel between the School of Dentistry and the William Kelley School clinic. *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. *Ability to transport/ assist patients in wheelchairs into operatories and departures as needed.

Essential duties: *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. *Assist patients with recovery and departure. *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. *Taking, processing, and mounting of digital X-Rays. *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. *Perform front desk activities for the clinic: greeting patients and visitors; check-in patients and announce their arrival; check patient out of Axium at end of appointment. *Prepare charts for new patients, assuring and verifying accuracy of information.

Maintain and update all charts for existing patients. Research misplaced/lost patient records. *Verify insurance work with patients and students to settle insurance issues. *Post payments, reconcile Explanation of Benefits (EOB) when claim is not paid, obtain further information for resubmission when required.

Make sure accounts of patients are orderly and up-to-date. *Handle patient/ student doctor complaints and inquires and act as a source of information in these matters. *Prepare pre-authorization, send out timely and record number when received. *Must be able to perform similar functions in other departments within the school if needed. *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.