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

Mahec • Asheville, NC

7d • Onsite

About The Position

MAHEC’s Center for Dentistry and Oral Health at its Biltmore Campus in Asheville is seeking a level I or level II Dental Assistant. 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. Duties include sterilizing equipment, taking and developing X-rays, conducting routine teeth cleanings, performing laboratory duties, maintaining patient records, and educating patients about oral health.

The role includes a broad range of dental-assisting functions performed under a dentist’s direct control and supervision, including taking impressions, preparing study models, applying sealants and topical agents, placing and removing temporary restorations, assisting with orthodontic procedures, monitoring patients under nitrous oxide when appropriately trained, providing oral hygiene instruction, taking vital signs, and assisting with dental and oral surgery. Some tasks require completion of specified training or courses. This general description is not intended to list every duty a Dental Assistant II may perform.

The position is based on-site at the Biltmore Campus. Regular on-site attendance is essential. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or flexed to meet client or division needs. The schedule is 40 hours per workweek, with occasional weekend, holiday, or evening coverage; hours may need to be flexible for special assignments or evening activities. The posting also describes the role as approximately 32–36 hours weekly. Compensation is $20.63 per hour for DAI and $23.65 per hour for DAII. The position is eligible for MAHEC’s Total Rewards package, and MAHEC is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for employees who meet federal requirements.

All MAHEC employees and learners must receive the flu vaccine or have an approved exemption. MAHEC does not provide employment-based U.S. visa sponsorship. New employees must provide valid, original I-9 documents on their first day of work.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following minimum qualification pathways: successful completion of an ADA-accredited dental assisting program; one academic year or longer in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program; or full-time chairside-assistant employment and experience for two years (3,000 hours) during the preceding five years, with the specified training and supervised functions.
• For the experience-based 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.
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database applications.
• Proficiency in Dentrix and MiPacs.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and clearly with colleagues, patients, and patients’ family members.
• Decision-making, conflict-resolution, critical-thinking, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to keep healthcare knowledge current and maintain licensure and required training.
• Professional interpersonal skills, including empathy, dependability, effective listening, and respect for colleagues, patients, and families.
• Ability to adhere to organizational values, including integrity, accountability, reverence for other cultures, and equitable practices.
• Ability to lift and carry 25–35 pounds and push or pull 50–100 pounds.
• Regular on-site attendance is an essential function of the position.
• Ability to work flexibly and provide occasional weekend, holiday, or evening coverage.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients and the dentist for oral procedures under the direct supervision of a dentist.
• Assist the dentist during patient examinations and procedures.
• Sterilize equipment and perform sterile procedures.
• Take and develop radiographs after completing required training.
• Conduct routine teeth cleanings and perform coronal polishing within applicable training and scope requirements.
• Perform dental laboratory duties, including taking impressions, pouring study models, writing dictated laboratory work orders, and putting away incoming lab cases.
• Maintain patient records, review health histories, and update them as needed.
• Educate patients in proper oral hygiene.
• Perform dental-assisting procedures under a dentist’s direct control and supervision, including applying sealants and topical agents; placing and removing temporary restorations; assisting with orthodontic appliances and wires; and placing cavity bases and liners.
• Monitor patients under nitrous oxide after completing the required Board-approved course, unless the course was included in an ADA-accredited program.
• Take patients’ pulse, blood pressure, and temperature.
• Assist with dental and oral surgery as needed, including chairside dentistry, extractions, dental implants, cleanings, X-rays, suction, lights, dental equipment, and anesthesia.
• Maintain required continuing education in radiology, infection control, and dental office emergencies.
• Attend work on-site regularly and flex hours as needed for special assignments or evening activities.

Benefits

• MAHEC Total Rewards package, including healthcare coverage, pet insurance, and up to 30 paid days off annually.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for employees who meet federal requirements and make qualifying payments while working full-time at MAHEC.

What This Job Offers

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