Dental Assistant I / Dental Assistant II (Cda/Qda)

Description

Position Summary

Under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist and in accordance with Maryland COMAR regulations, the Dental Assistant provides chairside assistance and clinical support for patient dental care in both fixed-site clinics and the Healthy Smiles in Motion (HSIM) mobile dental unit. The Dental Assistant works collaboratively with the dental team to promote high-quality patient care while supporting the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of Family Healthcare of Hagerstown.

Placement as Dental Assistant I or Dental Assistant II will be determined based on education, certification, experience, and organizational needs.

Responsibilities and Duties

Clinical Support and Patient Care

• Assist dentists during examinations, restorative procedures, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, and other dental treatments.
• Prepare patients for treatment and provide appropriate explanations of procedures.
• Assist with patient assessment and treatment planning as directed by the dentist.
• Anticipate provider needs and maintain efficient patient flow.
• Perform intraoral rinsing, aspiration, tissue retraction, and other expanded functions as permitted by certification and Maryland regulations.
• Accurately make and seat temporary crowns and bridges, place topical anesthetics, and obtain bite registrations, as authorized.
• Demonstrate the ability to calm, reassure, and effectively communicate with patients, including children.
• Maintain patient safety at all times and respond appropriately to emergencies and crisis situations.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation within the Electronic Dental Record (EDR).

Radiology

• Obtain quality dental radiographs in accordance with Maryland State Dental Board and American Dental Association guidelines.
• Operate and maintain digital radiography equipment, sensors, and panoramic imaging systems.
• Follow all radiation safety protocols and patient protection procedures.

Infection Control and Sterilization

• Maintain operatories and equipment utilizing established infection control standards.
• Clean, disinfect, package, sterilize, and monitor instruments according to ADA, OSHA, and MOSH requirements.
• Monitor sterilization logs, indicators, and maintenance records.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and adhere to all safety protocols.

Inventory and Administrative Support

• Assist with inventory management and ordering of dental supplies.
• Prepare and track laboratory cases and ensure timely completion of related documentation.
• Support scheduling, scanning, and other administrative functions as needed.
• Complete required reports, logs, and documentation accurately and on time.

Professionalism and Teamwork

• Maintain confidentiality of patient and organizational information.
• Foster positive working relationships with patients, providers, coworkers, and community partners.
• Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and adaptability.
• Follow all Family Healthcare of Hagerstown policies, procedures, and safety standards.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and continuing education opportunities.

Benefits

Generous benefits package including accrued paid time off, seven (7) paid holidays, and one Anniversary Award after the first year of employment. Eligible employees may elect health, vision, and dental coverage (employee only, employee and child, employee and spouse, parent and child, or family plans). Additional benefits include company-paid Life and AD&D insurance, Long-Term Disability coverage, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and a 403(b) retirement plan with company match. Voluntary benefits include cancer, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and more.

Requirements

Position Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Graduate of a Dental Assistant training program preferred.
• For Dental Assistant II, completion of a nationally accredited Dental Assistant program.

Experience

• Previous dental assisting experience preferred.
• Pediatric dental experience preferred.
• Proficient computer skills required.
• For Dental Assistant II, one to two years of dental assisting experience preferred.

Licensure/Certification

• Current BLS certification required.
• Maryland Dental Radiation Technologist certification.

For Dental Assistant II

• Current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential or Maryland Qualified Dental Assistant (QDA) certification required.
• Maryland certification to expose dental radiographs as required by applicable regulations.

Other Requirements

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Commitment to maintaining patient confidentiality and delivering excellent customer service.
• Ability to adapt to changing patient and operational needs.

Physical and Mental Effort

Physical:

Moderate physical effort is required. Position involves prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, and maintaining chairside positioning during dental procedures. Requires excellent manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to handle dental instruments, equipment, and small materials with precision. Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Normal vision and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, are required to safely perform patient care duties and operate dental equipment.

Mental:

Frequent periods of concentration, attention to detail, and critical thinking are required while assisting with patient care, maintaining documentation, operating clinical equipment, and following infection control procedures. Position requires the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, exercise sound judgment, adapt to changing patient needs, and work effectively in a fast-paced clinical environment. Regular interaction with pediatric and adult patients, including anxious or behaviorally challenging individuals, requires patience, professionalism, and strong interpersonal skills.

Sensory:

Must be able to effectively communicate in spoken English and possess the ability to read, write, and comprehend English. Requires visual acuity sufficient to observe patient conditions, identify instruments and materials, review records, and perform clinical assisting duties safely and accurately.

Environmental and Working Conditions

Work is performed in a modern, well-equipped dental clinic and mobile dental unit environment. Daily interaction with patients, family members, dentists, providers, staff members, students, and community partners is required. Frequent use of dental instruments, radiographic equipment, computers, and other clinical technology is expected.

Potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, bodily fluids, ionizing radiation, nitrous oxide, sharp instruments, and hazardous chemicals used in dental treatment and sterilization processes may occur. Employees are required to utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and adhere to all infection control, radiation safety, OSHA, MOSH, CDC, and organizational safety standards.

The position may involve exposure to elevated noise levels from dental equipment and patient care activities, as well as the potential for accidental contact with needles, sharps, or contaminated materials. Adherence to established safety protocols, patient confidentiality requirements, and professional standards is required at all times.