Dental Assistant 3 - Mobile Dental Practice

Georgia Department of Revenue•Augusta, GA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is seeking a compassionate, skilled Dental Assistant 3 to assist the dentist and/or hygienist with chair-side dentistry and support clinical operations for its Mobile Dental Clinic. The role is based at East Central Regional Hospital – Gracewood Campus in Augusta, Georgia, with daily travel across 26 rural counties in DBHDD’s Region 2. Some assistance is also required at the Gracewood campus clinic. The mobile clinic delivers patient-centered dental care to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at IDD Day Service Centers and community facilities. The Dental Assistant combines direct chair-side assistance with operational support, maintains clinical standards, and helps improve access to oral healthcare for underserved communities. The position involves operating a mobile clinic vehicle, transporting equipment and supplies, assisting with patient transfers, and performing clinical tasks in varied settings. Training is provided for driving the mobile clinic truck and for patient transfers.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and two years of experience in a dental setting; or a vocational/technical degree in dental assisting from an accredited college and one year of experience as a dental assistant; or one year of experience at the lower-level Dental Assistant 2 (HCS011) or equivalent position.
Valid Georgia Driver’s License and willingness to drive the mobile clinic truck; training is provided.
Ability to travel daily across the 26-county region.
Ability to push and pull wheeled dental unit carts and carry supplies and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
Ability to assist with patient transfers, including patients with high BMI; training is provided.
Ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods, perform repetitive wrist, hand, and finger movements, and maneuver body positions to perform clinical tasks.
Ability to work in variable outdoor temperatures during equipment loading, unloading, and site transitions.

Nice To Haves

Work experience serving individuals with intellectual, developmental, or complex physical and behavioral needs.
Experience managing front desk operations.
Availability for occasional overnight trips to other regions in Georgia.
Strong teamwork and cross-functional communication skills to coordinate with mobile healthcare staff and resolve care-delivery challenges.

Responsibilities

Assist with dental examinations, preventive treatments, and restorative or surgical procedures.
Prepare and transfer instruments and materials, and anticipate clinical needs during care.
Maintain a clear operating field using suction wands, air-water syringes, and cotton rolls.
Sanitize instruments, equipment, and treatment spaces in accordance with state, federal, and departmental standards and regulations.
Prepare, stock, and disinfect treatment spaces between patient visits.
Document treatment notes, chart dental findings, and log patient interactions in the electronic medical records system.
Advise and instruct patients, caregivers, and facility staff about preventive oral care, treatment plans, and ongoing oral hygiene management.
Use sensory-friendly and adaptive communication approaches for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities.
Operate the mobile clinic vehicle, including fueling and routine operational checks.
Push and pull wheeled dental unit carts and carry supplies and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
Assist team members with safely transferring patients from wheelchairs or scooters to the dental chair.
Provide some dental assistance at the Gracewood campus clinic.