Lead Dental Assistant

Position Overview

The role of the Lead Dental Assistant is to provide oversight, leadership, and mentorship to fellow dental assistants. This position assists in the efficiency and functionality of the department and takes initiative in reaching office goals set forth by leadership.

Skills and Qualifications

• Ideally, at least one year of prior dental assisting experience
• Excellent customer service skills
• Working knowledge of treatment and dental wellness
• Technical and troubleshooting skills to work with a variety of dental, medical, scheduling, and other organization software
• Strong organizational skills
• Knowledge of dental instruments
• Prior experience administering dental X-rays
• Current radiology license
• Current Hepatitis B vaccination
• Current CPR certification

Duties and Responsibilities

• Clinical Operations:
• Oversee the daily clinical operations of the dental office, ensuring smooth workflow and coordination between dentists, hygienists, and assistants.
• Prepare treatment rooms, ensuring cleanliness and readiness for each patient. o Sterilize instruments and maintain infection control protocols according to OSHA standards.
• Assist dentists during procedures, including passing instruments, mixing materials, and taking dental x-rays.
• Monitor the adherence to clinical protocols, checklists, and procedures in the office.
• Team Leadership:
• Supervise and support other dental assistants, ensuring they follow protocols and perform duties efficiently.
• Provide mentorship and training for new or less experienced assistants.
• Conduct regular check-ins with the team to resolve any issues and improve team collaboration.
• Patient Care:
• Ensure a high level of patient care throughout the patient's visit, from initial seating to post-procedure follow-up.
• Address patient concerns related to procedures, providing clear communication and reassurance.
• Educate patients on post-operative care, hygiene, and preventive dental health.
• Inventory and Equipment Management:
• Manage clinical supplies, ensure proper inventory levels, ordering, and storage. o Oversee the maintenance, cleanliness, and functionality of dental equipment and tools.
• Ensure the office is well-stocked with necessary materials while controlling costs. o Manage the expiration date of inventory.
• Managing equipment functionality and ensuring that equipment and instruments are up-to-date.
• Ensure that the equipment maintenance log is filled out and updated by the assistants.
• Coordination with Clinical Supervisor:
• Report any clinical issues or concerns to the clinical supervisor, including supply needs, equipment repairs, and patient care concerns.
• Assist in the implementation of new clinical protocols or procedures as directed by the clinical supervisor.
• Scheduling and Coordination:
• Schedule hygiene and non-monetary appointments.
• Understands and uses scripts when scheduling appointments and talking to patients.
• Compliance and Documentation:
• Ensure that clinical documentation is completed accurately, including patient records, treatment notes, and radiographs.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, and other regulatory standards.
• Complete all items on the onboarding checklist.
• Support Office Efficiency:
• Ensure that assistants are properly filling out and tracking lab and supply invoices.
• Assist in managing the workflow within the practice.
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements

The following physical activities described are a representation of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

While performing the functions of this job, the individual must be able to stand for long periods; and have the ability to speak, understand, and communicate the English language effectively; the ability to hear adequately on the phone or in person and group settings; utilize visual acuity to read small print; the ability to work in normal office environment conditions using a computer keyboard and mouse; push and pull dental equipment weighing up to 25 pounds; and perform physical movements specific to dental assisting including the precise passing of instruments, materials, and medications and ability to deal with visual restraints of working in the oral cavity.