Dental Assistant - Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics

Overview

This position will be hired as a Dental or Senior Dental Assistant depending on the experience of the candidate. This position is located in Canton, MA.

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) offers one of the most forward-looking educational environments in dental medicine in the country. Tufts Special Care Dental Clinics (formerly Tufts Dental Facilities for Persons with Special Needs) is a network of seven outpatient clinics that provide dental care to approximately 7,000 developmentally disabled patients in the state of Massachusetts under the umbrella of TUSDM and in partnership with the Massachusetts Departments of Public Health (DPH) and Developmental Services (DDS).

In addition to outpatient services, patient care is also delivered in operating room settings at three affiliated hospitals within the state. TSCDC serves as a vital teaching venue for General Practice Residents through the Tufts GPR program and for fourth-year dental students, offering hands-on experience in treating patients with special needs.

What You'll Do

Under limited supervision:

• Assist clinicians (dentists, hygienists, and post-graduate dental residents in training) in

four-handed dentistry and hygiene with patient care including prophylaxis/prevention, deep

scaling, restorative dentistry, endodontics, oral surgery, and fixed/removable prosthetics.

• Access patient health records to chart findings, review medical history and view

radiographs.

• Facilitates patient workflow and takes patient vital signs. Educate patients by providing

post-op instructions and oral hygiene tips. Comforts and supports patients to ease anxiety

and answer questions.

• Takes digital radiographs (panoramic, periapical, bitewing).
• Turns over treatment rooms between patients, and processes instruments in accordance

with proper sterilization infection control practices.

• Work in dental laboratory pouring models, polishing crowns and dentures, taking

impressions and making temporary crowns.

• Assist Lead Dental Assistant with management of clinic equipment maintenance and

repairs, inventory management and restocking materials and supplies.

• Provide front desk support when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Dental Assistant: Less than 1 year working as a chairside dental assistant providing direct care.
• Senior Dental Assistant: 5-7 years direct clinical chairside experience.
• Formal and/or on the job dental assistant training program.
• Exhibits knowledge and proficiency with procedural mix within general dentistry.
• Sound knowledge of HIPAA and OSHA compliance regarding infection control, blood-borne pathogens, sterilization, and radiology.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work well on a team and handle multiple tasks efficiently.
• Warm and caring personality needed in helping our patients.
• Positive attitude.
• Massachusetts Dental Assistant License.
• Radiology Certification.
• Travel to other clinics required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree, Vocational, or Technical Training.
• 1-3 years working as a chairside dental assistant providing direct care.

Senior Dental Assistant:

Pay Range

Minimum $27.85, Midpoint $33.15, Maximum $38.50

Dental Assistant:

Pay Range

Minimum $25.20, Midpoint $30.10, Maximum $34.90

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.