Lead Dental Assistant

Position Title: Lead Dental Assistant

Location: Seattle Roots Dental Clinic

Expected Hours: 40 hours per week

Union: Yes

Salary

$23.97– $35.78 (+$2/hour added for lead premium) Per hour, non-exempt, payable bi-weekly. The salary scale for this position is between steps 0 and 19, depending on experience. We use the resume submitted on your application to determine your hourly wage, so please ensure that all relevant work experience is listed in your resume. Applicants must pass an extensive background check.

About Us

Seattle Roots Community Health is a not-for-profit organization that operates two primary care clinics, an After-Hours Clinic, two School-Based Health Centers, a low barrier Medication-assisted treatment clinic and a Dental Clinic. Our Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center was founded in 1970 in Seattle's Central District.

Our Country Doctor Community Clinic was established in 1971 by residents of the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Seattle Roots is passionate about serving patients of all backgrounds and employing individuals who are equally committed to this mission. To ensure our organization is best serving our populations, we strive to promote policies that enable us to work effectively in all situations, with patients, with coworkers, and with the community.

Our Mission

To improve the health of our community by providing high-quality and caring primary health care that addresses the needs of people, regardless of their ability to pay. At Carolyn Downs and Country Doctor, health care is a right.

Job Summary

The Lead Dental Assistant performs all duties of a Dental Assistant while providing day-to-day operational support to the dental assisting team. The Lead Dental Assistant promotes a safe, efficient, and patient-centered environment while ensuring compliance with organizational policies, infection prevention standards, OSHA/WISHA requirements, and dental best practices.

The Lead Dental Assistant serves as a resource to Dental Assistants, providers, and support staff by coordinating workflows, assisting with training and onboarding, monitoring clinical operations, and supporting quality improvement initiatives.

This position works closely with providers and clinic leadership to maintain efficient patient flow, adequate inventory levels, properly functioning equipment, and a high standard of patient care.

This position is supervised by the Dental Clinic Manager and Dental Director. The Lead Dental Assistant provides day-to-day guidance, training, and workflow coordination for Dental Assistants and support staff but does not directly supervise employees.

Job Responsibilities

Clinical

• Obtains digital dental radiographs (x-rays).
• Assists the dentist during a variety of examinations and treatment procedures, including instrument transfer, dental procedure isolation techniques, and preparation of dental materials.
• Prepares treatment rooms, instruments, and cassettes for procedures.
• Greets and prepares patients for treatment.
• Conducts work in compliance with office policies and procedures, safety standards, OSHA, WISHA, and SDS guidelines.
• Records accurate medical and dental histories and vital signs.
• Records accurate visit information in the electronic health record.
• Acts as a liaison between front office staff and providers to ensure timely and orderly patient flow throughout the clinic.
• Provides patients with instructions for oral care following dental treatment procedures.
• Teaches patients appropriate oral hygiene techniques to maintain oral health.
• Assists patients with referrals and follow-up appointments.
• Communicates with patients and front office staff regarding scheduling, treatment coordination, and billing processes.
• Helps provide direct patient care in all dental procedures.
• Assists in the prevention and management of dental and medical emergencies.

Leadership and Operational

• Provides day-to-day leadership, guidance, and support to Dental Assistants and assigned support staff.
• Assists with onboarding, orientation, and training of newly hired Dental Assistants.
• Serves as a clinical and operational resource for Dental Assistants and providers.
• Coordinates daily Dental Assistant assignments and assists with coverage planning to ensure efficient clinic operations.
• Collaborates with providers and management to improve workflow, patient flow, and operational efficiency.
• Assists leadership in implementing departmental goals, initiatives, and process improvements.
• Identifies workflow challenges and recommends solutions to improve patient care and clinic operations.
• Assists leadership in communicating departmental updates, policy changes, and operational expectations.
• Models professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and excellent customer service.
• Serves as acting lead during manager absences as delegated.

General

• Participates in the achievement of patient satisfaction and productivity goals by working efficiently and providing a high level of patient service.
• Participates actively in staff meetings and organizational activities.
• Maintains confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
• Maintains dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Demonstrates respectful, professional, and appropriate behavior that supports a team-oriented work environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience as a Dental Assistant required.
• Previous experience serving as a lead, trainer, mentor, preceptor, or informal team leader preferred.
• Experience in community health or public health.
• Experience with inventory management, equipment maintenance coordination, and workflow oversight preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
• Certificate of completion from a Dental Assistant program.
• Registration as a Dental Assistant and maintenance of registration in Washington State.
• CPR certification required.

Benefits

We provide a robust suite of benefits, including the choice of three medical plans, two dental plans, long-term disability, life, and other insurance programs. You’ll have access to flexible spending accounts, a subsidy of up to 80% of the cost of an ORCA pass, plus an additional match of 50% of the employee's contribution up to 4% after one year of employment.

(Ex. if employee contributes at 4%, Seattle Roots will match with an additional 2%, plus the safe harbor contribution totaling a 9% contribution to the employee's 401k) We’ve got you covered!