Job Summary/Essential Job Functions

The Lead Dental Assistant functions in both a clinical and leadership capacity, dividing time between the two pediatric dental clinics of UT Health Sciences College of Dentistry. In addition to chairside assisting, this position coordinates workflow, ensures compliance with clinical protocols and safety regulations, supports providers, and promotes efficient patient flow. Additionally, this position provides onboarding, training, and mentoring dental assistants while serving as a key clinical resource for staff, residents, and students.

Responsibilities

1. Provides chair-side assistance for faculty members (oral evacuation, retraction, and instrument exchange); supplies faculty with equipment, instruments, and materials for procedures.
2. Takes impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts; performs sealants, tooth cleaning, exposes radiographs, and applies fluoride to patients.
3. Supervises dental assistants and coordinates clinical dental assistant staff schedules.
4. Completes and pays cash/control tickets with payments received.
5. Assists and guides front desk on soft skills, patient scheduling, referrals, and overall patient care skills.
6. Answers multi-line phones, schedules patient appointments, and manages patient flow through the clinic.
7. Cleans working area; disinfects/sterilizes instruments and equipment.
8. Participates in infection control, helps establish and carry out infection control protocol.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Education

High School Diploma or GED. (Transcript Required)

Experience

Two (2) years of experience as a Clinical Dental Assistant. Must maintain registration as a licensed dental assistant in the State of Tennessee. Nitrous Oxide Monitoring and Radiology Certification is required. (Proof of Licensure is Required). (Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) with the Dental Assistant National Board Certification (DANB) is preferred. Graduate of CODA-accredited school preferred.)

License/Certification

A Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in the State of Tennessee, with certification in radiology and nitrous oxide monitoring, is required. CDA (DANB) certification preferred. (Proof of Licensure is Required)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of all areas of dental assisting as outlined by the State of Tennessee Board of Dentistry to include set up of operatory, instrument transfer, correct sequencing of instruments and dental material according to procedure.
• Ability to provide all supportive services or procedures necessary to protect the physical well-being of the patient during routine treatment procedures and during periods of emergencies, including, but not limited to physical positioning of the patient, monitoring of vital signs, assistance during administration of life-support activities, and any other non-invasive procedures deemed necessary by the supervising dentist to maintain the health and safety of the patient.

Work Schedule

This position may occasionally be required to work weekends.