Dental Assistant, Lead: Ortho

Grade: T23
The link below will give you information about the University’s “T” salary structure.

Learn more about the “T” salary structure .

A variety of important factors are reviewed by HR when considering salary, including job duties, the applicant’s education and experience, all relevant internal equity considerations, department budget, and funding source.

The Lead Dental Assistant will provide assistance to the residents, faculty and students in the treatment of dental patients within the Department of Orthodontics in the Kornberg school of Dentistry. 

Primary responsibilities will be assisting with various routine and complex orthodontic 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 Dental Assistant 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. Other responsibilities will include filling in at the front desk when needed, including greeting and checking patients into the clinic, scheduling and confirming appointments, creating and maintaining patient files, tracking and maintaining patient flow within the practice, answering phones, screening calls, taking messages, answering questions of a non-complex nature. Performs other related duties as assigned. 

At Temple, you will find it easy to fit in while staying true to yourself.  We value what makes each employee unique and strive to maintain a culture of diversity and inclusion.  As an employee, you will enjoy our collaborative team-based culture that values innovation and creativity.  

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Required Education and Experience:
At least 3 years of experience as a Dental Assistant including some experience with orthodontic procedures. Dental Assisting training and certificate from an accredited school. Dental Radiology Certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. CPR Certification. 

Required Skills and Abilities:
*Ability to obtain PA Child Abuse Clearances.
*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.

This position requires a background check.
This position requires Child Abuse Certifications prior to the commencement of service.

Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.

In accordance with the City of Philadelphia's COVID-19 mandate, all Temple University students, faculty, staff, and contractors must be fully vaccinated before receiving authorization to work unless they have a medical or religious exemption approved by the University.  An individual is considered fully vaccinated two (2) weeks following the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two (2) weeks following a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Individuals who do not meet the University's vaccination or exemption requirement will be prohibited from working until proof of full vaccination or an exemption is requested and approved.  For more information, visit the University's Vaccines web page at https://www.temple.edu/coronavirus/vaccines.

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.

To obtain additional information about Temple University please visit our website at www.temple.edu.  

Temple University's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains statistics, policies, and procedures related to campus safety and can be found at: https://safety.temple.edu/reports-logs/annual-security-report

You may request a copy of the report by calling Temple University’s Campus Safety Services at 215-204-7900.