Lead Dental Assistant
About The Position
The Lead Dental Assistant provides chairside dental assisting and direct patient care for approximately 75% of scheduled time while serving as a clinical resource and leader for the dental assistant team. The role directly supervises Dental Assistants, promotes consistent patient-care standards, ensures compliance with infection prevention, sterilization, and dental safety protocols, and provides coverage for staff absences to support safe, efficient, patient-centered care. The position is scheduled full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. UCFS is a Federally Qualified Health Center offering integrated services, including behavioral health, primary care, dental care, and case management. Its stated mission is to improve the health and well-being of the community through person-centered care and collaboration across programs.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Completion of an accredited Dental Assisting program.
- At least five years of dental assisting experience, including knowledge of chairside procedures, dental radiography, instrument processing, sterilization, and infection prevention.
- At least one year of experience coaching, training, or leading Dental Assistants.
- Radiology certification in the State of Connecticut.
- Infection Control certification in the State of Connecticut.
- Strong knowledge of chairside dental assisting, infection prevention, sterilization, radiology safety, and clinical documentation requirements.
- Ability to coach Dental Assistants, assess clinical competencies, provide constructive feedback, and reinforce standards of care.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with dentists, hygienists, Dental Assistants, residents, and other clinical staff.
- Ability to prioritize clinical needs, coordinate daily staff responsibilities, and respond effectively to changing patient-care demands.
- Commitment to respectful, inclusive, patient-centered care and effective clinical teamwork.
- Ability to use the electronic health record and other clinical systems required for patient care and documentation.
Nice To Haves
- Associate degree.
Responsibilities
- Provide chairside dental assisting and direct patient care for approximately 75% of scheduled time, with clinical coverage as needed.
- Supervise, coach, and support Dental Assistants, including clinical onboarding, training, competency development, performance feedback, and participation in hiring and evaluations.
- Assign and coordinate daily clinical responsibilities to support patient flow, timely documentation, and consistent patient-centered care.
- Monitor adherence to infection prevention, sterilization, radiology, and clinical safety standards; conduct dental infection-control inspections and address identified concerns.
- Maintain clinical records related to sterilization monitoring, equipment and instrument processing, and expiration dates for dental materials and sterile supplies.
- Ensure operatories are prepared with current clinical forms, patient education materials, instruments, and supplies needed for safe patient care.
- Ensure Dental Assistants appropriately process, package, route, and document dental laboratory cases.
- Model respectful, inclusive teamwork and reinforce high-quality, patient-centered clinical practice.
- Perform other clinically related duties as assigned to support patient care and the dental team.
- Meet regularly with and provide guidance to Dental Assistants; communicate staffing, training, and performance concerns to the Dental Director as needed.
- Oversee sterilization operations and monitor compliance with established sterilization procedures, infection prevention standards, and instrument processing protocols.
Benefits
- Yearly performance merit increases
- Gain Share Program
- Local and online discounts
- 401(k) plan with 6% employer contributions
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellness programs
- Decompression spaces
- Paid time off starting at three weeks of vacation, four floating holidays, ten sick days, and eight federal holidays
- NHSC loan repayment opportunities
- PSLF eligibility
- Career path ladders
- Employer-paid learning and development programs
- Employee-led committees
- Appreciation, education, and team-building events
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
