Dental Assistant

Lurie Children's Hospital•Chicago, IL

12d•$19 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Assistant assists dentists chairside during examinations and treatment of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients, integrating patients’ growth and development needs into care. The role supports the hospital’s and department’s continuous quality improvement and customer service goals as an individual and team member. The assistant prepares patients and treatment areas, arranges instruments and materials, assists with dental and orthodontic procedures—including procedures performed under general anesthesia—and maintains equipment and supplies. The position also includes taking x-rays, performing coronal polishing as assigned, preparing instruments for sterilization, charting, supporting patient scheduling and clerical activities, taking dental impressions, and assisting with medication delivery. The assistant may orient new or contingent staff and participate in process improvement activities.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least one year of experience in private practice.
Some computer skills.
Current CPR certification.
Ability to travel to different sites as needed.
Ability to stand for long periods of time.

Nice To Haves

Completion of an approved dental assistant program.
Pediatric dental experience.

Responsibilities

Escort patients from the waiting room to the dental operatory and prepare them for treatment.
Arrange dental instruments, materials, and medications on the chairside tray according to the scheduled treatment; maintain working knowledge of chairside instruments.
Keep oral operating areas clean during procedures.
Prepare restorative materials and assist during dental and orthodontic procedures.
Prepare the operating room and procedure suite for dental procedures and assist with dental services performed under general anesthesia.
Ensure dental equipment in the clinic, operating room, procedure suites, and inpatient unit is in working order.
Take x-rays and maintain x-ray equipment.
Perform coronal polishing for patients as assigned by providers.
Prepare instruments and hand pieces for sterilization; inventory and store instruments in their proper locations after return.
Keep operatories clean and stocked with necessary supplies.
Answer the telephone when clerical staff are unavailable.
Prepare patient charts and enter notations dictated by the dentist; chart using a computer-based program.
Obtain information for parents to schedule appropriate follow-up visits and perform patient-support clerical activities.
Take dental impressions for appliances such as space maintainers and orthodontic retainers, send impressions to the lab, and assist with appliance delivery.
Assist with timely delivery of medications and pharmaceutical products dispensed by the Pharmacy to the appropriate patient care provider.
Orient new and contingent dental assistant staff.
Participate in Department Process Improvement activities.
Maintain the water purification system.
Keep a daily AED functionality log.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees.
Employer-paid group term life and disability insurance.
Employer contribution toward a Health Savings Account.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, and paid parental leave.
403(b) plan with a 5% employer match.
Supplemental life, AD&D, and disability coverage.
Critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity coverage.
Tuition assistance.
Student loan servicing and support.
Adoption benefits.
Backup childcare and eldercare.
Employee Assistance Program and specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members.
Discounts on services at Lurie Children’s facilities.
Discount purchasing program.
Potential hourly employee differentials, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs.