Dental Assistant II (Lincoln) (4528)

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine•Lincoln, IL

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Assistant II provides clinical and administrative support to ensure efficient delivery of quality dental care within the SIU School of Medicine Federally Qualified Health Center. The position works onsite and collaborates with dentists, dental hygienists, students, and administrative staff to support patient care, clinical workflows, and daily operations. Duties include advanced four-handed chairside assistance; patient preparation and record updates; obtaining dental radiographs; preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment; assisting with dental procedures; and performing authorized laboratory tasks. The role also supports patient education, appointment scheduling and communications, payment handling, inventory management, equipment maintenance coordination, and coordination of laboratory services. Clinical tasks must be performed within applicable law, training, supervision, and institutional policies.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Meet at least one of the following: six months of dental assisting work experience comparable to Dental Assistant I duties; graduation from an accredited Dental Assisting School; or current Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification from the Dental Assisting National Board, if required by the employing institution.
Knowledge of dental procedures and dental-assisting techniques, including four-handed dentistry.
Knowledge of English language structure and content, including vocabulary, spelling, composition, and grammar.
Computer skills to enter data, access information, and create materials or documents using clinical software applications.
Knowledge of customer and personal service principles, including assessing needs, meeting service quality standards, and evaluating customer satisfaction.
Ability to perform administrative and clerical functions involving files, records, forms, and inventory.
Strong listening skills, including the ability to understand others, ask appropriate questions, and avoid interrupting inappropriately.
Interpersonal verbal and written communication skills and the ability to build rapport with patients.
Ability to quickly move and coordinate hands and arms to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Ability to remain on task for several hours while sitting, standing, or moving.
Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, confidentiality, and respect when communicating with patients, peers, faculty, and staff.
Ability to help patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental procedures and to communicate positively to guide and reassure them.
Out-of-state hires must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of their start date.
Successful completion of required pre-employment background screenings.

Responsibilities

Provide advanced four-handed chairside assistance during restorative, surgical, and other dental procedures, anticipating clinicians’ needs and preparing or transferring instruments and materials.
Prepare and seat patients, review and update medical and dental histories, and accurately document care, dental charting, and treatment entries in the electronic dental record.
Expose and process dental radiographs using appropriate radiation protection practices and applicable authorization requirements.
Maintain a clear, dry operative field using suction, retraction, and swabs; assist with sedation-related procedures as directed and within authorized scope.
Apply topical anesthetic and perform delegated clinical tasks only as permitted by Illinois law, training, and supervision requirements.
Prepare operatories, pre-tray setups, instruments, equipment, and dental materials before appointments, and support efficient patient turnover.
Clean, disinfect, package, and sterilize instruments and equipment while maintaining aseptic conditions, standard precautions, OSHA-compliant practices, and patient privacy safeguards.
Perform authorized laboratory procedures, including taking impressions and pouring, trimming, and polishing study models; fabricate temporary crowns or provisional restorations as permitted.
Prepare laboratory prescriptions, coordinate cases with outside dental laboratories, and track materials and case returns.
Provide dentist-approved oral hygiene and post-treatment instructions, communicate compassionately with patients, and support dental hygienists as needed.
Demonstrate dental assisting techniques and clinic protocols to students or newly assigned staff as directed.
Identify and promptly report equipment malfunctions and patient safety concerns to the dentist or supervisor, and perform related clinical duties as assigned.
Coordinate and schedule dental appointments, follow-up care, and patient communications with the front office.
Receive, document, and route patient payments according to established cash-handling and financial procedures.
Gather information about patient dental concerns, prioritize requests under established protocols, and refer clinical triage decisions promptly to licensed dental professionals.
Monitor inventory, stock and rotate supplies, assist with ordering and distribution, and submit or follow up on equipment maintenance work orders.
Coordinate with dentists, students, hygienists, and administrative staff to maintain clinic flow, records, and patient readiness.