Dental Assistant (DAI or DAII) - Center for Dentistry and Oral Health - Biltmore Campus

Mountain Area Health Education Center - MAHEC • Asheville, NC

8d • $21 - $24 • Onsite

About The Position

MAHEC's Center for Dentistry and Oral Health at the Biltmore Campus in Asheville is seeking a Dental Assistant I or II. Under the direct supervision of a dentist, the assistant prepares patients and the dentist for oral procedures and works alongside the dentist during examinations and treatment. The role includes sterilizing equipment, taking and developing X-rays, routine cleaning tasks, laboratory duties, maintaining patient records, and educating patients about oral health. Dental and oral surgery assisting may include extractions, dental implants, cleanings, X-rays, sterile procedures, suction, lights, dental equipment, and anesthesia.

The position requires regular on-site attendance. Typical business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or adjusted to meet client or division needs. The posting describes the position as full-time, approximately 32–36 hours weekly, while also stating 40 hours per workweek. Weekend, holiday, or evening coverage is occasionally required, and work hours may need to be flexible for special assignments or evening activities.

Compensation is $20.63 per hour for Dental Assistant I and $23.65 per hour for Dental Assistant II. The role is eligible for MAHEC's Total Rewards package, including healthcare coverage, pet insurance, and up to 30 paid days off annually. MAHEC is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for employees meeting federal requirements. Employees must receive the flu vaccine or have an approved exemption. MAHEC does not provide employment-based U.S. visa sponsorship.

Requirements

• Meet at least one minimum qualification pathway: successful completion of an ADA-accredited dental assisting program; one academic year or longer in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program; or the specified experience and training pathway.
• For the experience and training pathway: have two years (3,000 hours) of full-time chairside-assistant employment during the preceding five years, with experience in a dental delivery setting and permission to perform Dental Assistant II functions under a licensed dentist's direct control and supervision.
• For the experience and training pathway: complete a 3-hour course in sterilization and infection control, a 3-hour course in dental office emergencies, radiology training, and a 7-hour course in nitrous-oxide monitoring.
• Maintain continuing education requirements in radiology, infection control, and dental office emergencies as required by state law.
• Have excellent skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database applications.
• Be proficient in Dentrix and MiPacs.
• Be able to lift and carry 25–35 pounds and push or pull 50–100 pounds.
• Attend work regularly on-site; occasional weekend, holiday, or evening coverage may be required.
• Receive the flu vaccine or have an approved exemption.
• Provide valid, original I-9 documents on the first day of work.

Nice To Haves

• Spanish-speaking skills.
• Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification.
• Certification in monitoring nitrous oxide.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients and the dentist for oral procedures under the direct supervision of a dentist.
• Assist the dentist during examinations and procedures, including dental and oral surgery assisting as needed.
• Sterilize equipment and perform sterile procedures.
• Take and develop radiographs after meeting applicable training requirements.
• Perform routine cleaning-related tasks, including polishing the clinical crown within applicable training and procedural restrictions.
• Perform laboratory duties, including taking impressions for study models, pouring study models, writing laboratory work orders as dictated by the dentist, and putting away incoming lab cases.
• Maintain patient records, review and update health histories, and take patients' pulse, blood pressure, and temperature.
• Educate patients in proper oral health and provide oral hygiene instruction.
• Perform the Dental Assistant II functions listed in the posting under the direct control and supervision of a dentist, including specified restorative, orthodontic, periodontal, and other procedures.
• Monitor patients under nitrous oxide after completing the required Board-approved course, unless the training was included in an ADA-accredited program.
• Support chairside dentistry, including suction, lighting, equipment, and anesthesia-related assistance.

Benefits

• MAHEC Total Rewards package.
• Healthcare coverage.
• Pet insurance.
• Up to 30 paid days off annually.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for employees who meet federal requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed