Lead Dental Assistant

SUMMARY: The Lead Dental Assistant coordinates and supports daily clinical operations in MedNorth Health Center’s 12-operatory dental department. The position provides chair-side assistance as needed while leading day-to-day clinical workflow, supporting the dental assisting team, maintaining operatory and equipment readiness, and promoting consistent infection prevention and quality assurance practices.

The Lead Dental Assistant works under the direction of the Dental Director and collaborates with the Front Dental Office Manager to support efficient patient flow and coordinated department operations. The role is primarily focused on clinical operations.

PRIMARY DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: (other duties may be assigned):

1. Clinical Operations and Workflow

- Coordinate daily clinical readiness across 12 operatories.

- Ensure operatories are stocked, equipped, cleaned, and prepared before appointments.

- Monitor patient flow and help reduce avoidable clinical delays.

- Coordinate dental assistant assignments and coverage with the Dental Director and, when relevant, the Front Dental Office Manager.

- Provide chair-side assistance to dentists and hygienists as needed, within training and authorized scope.

- Support room turnover and standardize set up for common procedures.

- Coordinate a clinical runner function, when staffing permits, for sterilization, instrument delivery, room turnover, and related workflow support.

- Identify staffing or operational barriers and communicate concerns promptly to the Dental Director.

2. Dental Assistant Team Leadership

- Provide day-to-day clinical guidance and support to dental assistants.

- Help coordinate daily assignments, breaks, and clinical coverage in collaboration with the appropriate supervisor.

- Assist with onboarding, orientation, and training of new dental assistants.

- Coach team members on clinical procedures, infection prevention, equipment use, documentation, and department protocols.

- Promote teamwork, professionalism, accountability, and respectful communication.

- Identify training needs and performance concerns and escalate them to the Dental Director.

- Support competency assessments and skills validation as assigned.

3. Infection Prevention, Sterilization, and Safety

- Monitor compliance with established infection prevention and instrument processing procedures.

- Ensure instruments are cleaned, packaged, sterilized, stored, and handled according to approved protocols and manufacturer instructions.

- Monitor use of required chemical indicators and completion/initialing of sterilization pouches and logs according to departmental policy.

- Monitor sterilizer maintenance, biological monitoring records, sterilization logs, and related quality assurance documentation.

- Ensure appropriate separation of contaminated and clean instruments and supplies.

- Monitor compliance with PPE, hand hygiene, surface disinfection, and instrument processing requirements.

- Report sterilization failures, exposure incidents, equipment malfunctions, and infection prevention concerns promptly.

- Assist with infection control audits, safety inspections, and corrective action plans.

4. Equipment, Instruments, and Inventory

- Monitor clinical inventory levels and coordinate restocking before shortages occur.

- Help maintain appropriate supply par levels across operatories.

- Monitor condition and availability of handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, curing lights, radiographic equipment, and other clinical equipment.

- Coordinate routine maintenance and promptly report repair needs.

- Maintain organized storage, sterilization, and clinical supply areas.

- Assist the Dental Director with evaluating clinical products, supplies, and equipment.

- Monitor expiration dates and appropriate storage; support efforts to minimize waste.

5. Clinical Documentation and Quality Assurance

- Promote accurate and timely clinical documentation by dental assistants within their authorized scope.

- Monitor adherence to established documentation, radiographic, sterilization, and safety protocols.

- Assist with internal audits, chart reviews, and quality assurance activities as assigned.

- Identify recurring errors and workflow deficiencies and recommend improvements.

- Support compliance with applicable OSHA requirements, CDC infection prevention guidance, North Carolina dental requirements, organizational policies, and applicable HRSA requirements.

- Maintain clinical logs, equipment records, sterilization records, and training documentation as assigned.

- Report patient safety concerns and potential compliance issues through established channels.

6. Collaboration With Dentists and Dental Hygienists

- Coordinate with four dentists and three hygienists to anticipate clinical needs and maintain instrument and supply availability.

- Prepare for restorative, surgical, endodontic, preventive, and other procedures within the assistant’s authorized scope.

- Help standardize room setup, procedure trays, instrument cassettes, and clinical workflows.

- Support communication between providers and the assisting team about daily clinical needs.

- Escalate clinical concerns to the treating provider or Dental Director as appropriate.

- Support onboarding and clinical integration of new providers.

7. Patient Experience and FQHC Mission

- Promote a welcoming, respectful, culturally responsive, patient-centered clinical environment.

- Protect patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.

- Support access to care for patients from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

- Promote a team culture focused on quality, safety, access, and continuity of care.

- Help communicate clinical delays appropriately and support a positive patient experience.

8. Administrative and Operational Support

- Participate in daily huddles, departmental meetings, and quality improvement projects.

- Assist with clinical protocols, checklists, training materials, and standard operating procedures.

- Monitor clinical supply utilization, equipment readiness, staffing coverage, and operational barriers.

- Provide timely updates regarding staffing, supply shortages, sterilization concerns, and equipment issues.

- Support regulatory reviews, internal audits, and site inspections.

- Perform other related duties within the position’s scope and qualifications as assigned.

The Lead Dental Assistant does not independently make hiring, termination, compensation, formal disciplinary, or formal performance-management decisions unless specifically delegated by organizational leadership. Personnel actions and unresolved operational conflicts should be escalated to the Dental Director or designated supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Dental Assistants

Each staff member is a member of the Patient Centered Medical Home model and you are required to work as part of a team to provide high-quality, patient-focused care.  Your role is to help ensure patients have timely access to services, support coordinated care by communicating effectively with team members and patients, and contributing to quality improvement efforts.  Your commitment to respectful, compassionate service and teamwork is required to help us meet PCMH standards, improve patient outcomes, and maintain a supportive care environment.

Corporate Compliance : It is an essential job element that everyone be compliant with the full law and fully cooperates with the compliance program without fear of retaliation from the organization.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skills, and/or ability required:

Minimum Qualifications

- High school diploma or equivalent.

- Dental assisting credentials appropriate to the position, if required by the organization or applicable law.

- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

- Dental assisting experience demonstrating proficiency in chairside assisting, sterilization, infection prevention, and clinical workflows.

- Knowledge of dental terminology, instruments, materials, equipment, and clinical procedures.

- Working knowledge of OSHA, HIPAA, infection prevention, and applicable North Carolina dental requirements.

- Basic computer skills and ability to use electronic dental records and related systems.

Preferred Qualifications

- Two or more years of dental assisting experience.

- Previous lead dental assistant, clinical coordination, or team-training experience.

- Experience in an FQHC, community health center, or high-volume dental practice.

- Experience supporting multiple dentists and dental hygienists.

- Experience with sterilization monitoring, infection prevention audits, inventory management, and clinical quality assurance.

- Experience with electronic dental records and practice management systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

- Ability to coordinate competing priorities in a busy, multi-provider environment.

- Demonstrated leadership, accountability, professionalism, and sound judgment.

- Ability to coach colleagues constructively and address workflow concerns appropriately.

- Attention to detail and commitment to infection prevention and patient safety.

- Ability to identify operational problems and recommend practical solutions.

- Ability to maintain confidentiality and work effectively with a diverse patient population.

- Ability to adapt to changing staffing needs and clinical demands.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL/MOTOR SKILLS : The Lead Dental Assistant must understand medical and dental terminology and possess accurate keyboarding skills.  The employee must have the ability to use standard office equipment: including computers, photocopiers and facsimile machines.  Must possess the ability to learn, understand and use internet insurance eligibility systems.  The Lead Dental Assistant must be able to operate X-ray and dental laboratory equipment.  The employee must possess the ability to use Dental/EHR Software Systems.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS : The Lead Dental Assistant must possess excellent telephone etiquette, interpersonal and customer service skills.  Teamwork and communication skills are essential.  The employee must treat all patients, co-workers, and managers with courtesy and respect.

MENTAL ABILITIES : The Lead Dental Assistant must possess cognitive reasoning -- Clear thinking in high-pressure situations -- Ability to prioritize and withstand pressure of continual work with variable requirements -- Ability to concentrate and maintain accuracy despite frequent interruptions -- Critical thinking and organization skills, problem solving, and reasoning capabilities

LANGUAGE SKILLS : Ability to speak English fluently -- Spanish speaking or another language is a plus

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, REGISTRATIONS :

(1) completion of:
     (a) an ADA-accredited dental assisting program and current certification in CPR; or
     (b) one academic year or longer in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program, and current certification in CPR; or
(2) completion of the Dental Assistant certification examination(s) administered by the Dental Assisting National Board and current certification in CPR; or
(3) completion of:
     (a) a 3-hour course in sterilization and infection control;
     (b) a 3-hour course in dental office emergencies; coronal polishing and
     (c) current certification in CPR.
     (d) after completing Sub-Items (3)(b), (c), and (d) of this Rule, dental assistants may be trained in any dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental Assistant II under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist, except as listed in Sub-Item 3(e) of this Rule.
     (e) Dental assistants may take radiographs after completing radiology training consistent with G.S. 90-29(c)(12).
     (f) full-time employment and experience as a chairside assistant for two years (3,000 hours) of the preceding five, during which period the assistant may be trained in any dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental Assistant II under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear, use hands to finger, handle or feel.

-  to assist with clinical procedures and handle dental instruments, supplies, and equipment.

- Ability to perform repetitive tasks and reach, bend, and lift supplies within organizational guidelines.

- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and comply with occupational health requirements.

The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

The special vision requirements for this job are close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors).

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions for this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MedNorth Health Center provides comprehensive health care services, inside a multi-cultural medical/dental clinic, to all individuals; insured, uninsured, and underinsured.  The building is heated in winter and air conditioned in the summer with noise levels of moderate to loud.  We serve patients who speak multiple languages and who may need the assistance of an interpreter.  In this position one may be subject to exposure to copier toner, correction fluid, bright fluorescent lighting, and continuous personal computer exposure.

This job is a Blood borne Pathogens risk category I position.

Performance Evaluation

Performance will be evaluated by the Dental Director using established goals and department needs, including:

- Clinical readiness and patient flow across assigned operatories.

- Compliance with sterilization and infection prevention protocols.

- Completion and accuracy of required clinical logs and documentation.

- Effectiveness of dental assistant coordination and training.

- Inventory management and reduction of avoidable supply shortages.

- Equipment readiness and timely reporting of maintenance needs.

- Communication, teamwork, professionalism, and responsiveness to providers.

- Completion of protected administrative responsibilities and quality improvement activities.

Specific performance indicators, targets, and review frequency will be established by the Dental Director and reviewed periodically.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

- The employee is expected to attend work on a daily basis and to be at work on time.

- The employee is expected to be a team player.

- The employee is expected to report absences in accordance with personnel policies and procedures.

- The employees’ work is expected to be accurate, neat, and thorough, and completed on time.

- The employee is expected to have a positive attitude, be cooperative, and considerate of others.

- The employee is expected to be dependable and is expected to accept responsibility for assignments and duties given.

- The employee is expected to dress and act in a professional manner and to adhere to all safety standards.

- The employee is expected to participate in staff meetings, be courteous and polite with patients and other staff.

- The employee is expected to maintain confidentiality.