Dental Assistant - Prosthodontics

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Dental Assistant, Prosthodontics - Penn Dental Medicine

Job Profile Title

Dental Assistant B

Job Description Summary

Penn Dental Medicine's Prosthodontics team is seeking an experienced Dental Assistant who will prepare and maintain dental operatories, assist the dentists chairside, sterilize instruments, take radiographs, and may also be asked to work at the front desk if requested. The ideal candidate will maintain, order, store & dispose of supplies & materials & work collaboratively with laboratory teams to track lab cases, maintain the milling machines & enforce policies & protocols for department compliance & accreditation.

The Advanced Specialty Education Program in Prosthodontics, established in 2017, is the latest addition to the Graduate Dental Education Programs at Penn Dental Medicine. The Advanced Specialty Education Program in Prosthodontics at the University of Pennsylvania is designed to prepare graduates to excel in clinical practice, research, and teaching within the specialty of Prosthodontics. The program begins on July 1, and continues through 36 calendar months.

Job Description

Greet patients, work collaboratively with faculty, staff & residents to set-up patients according to dental accreditation, safety & infection control standards.

Thoroughly clean chair & flush lines, set-up & break down operatories, clean prosthodontic instruments, accurately take X-rays (CBCT, PAs, PANs, Intraoral Scanning)/, & prepare presentations and curriculum materials.

Assist chair-side utilizing 4-handed technique with patient treatments (restorative and surgical phases).

Coordinate iBook procedures & updates to department content/procedures using various technologies. Maintain, order, store & dispose of supplies & materials & work collaboratively with laboratory teams to track lab cases, maintain the milling machines & enforce policies & protocols for department compliance & accreditation.

Inventory coordination & reconciliation of spreadsheets/databases as needed for accurate record keeping using various systems with accuracy & precision.

Takes responsibility for all work activities & personal actions; follows through on commitments; implements decisions that have been agreed upon; maintains confidentiality with sensitive information; acknowledges & learns from mistakes without blaming others; recognizes the impact of one's behavior on others.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

High School diploma/GED required.

Technical school, certification, training or apprenticeship required beyond high school and 3 - 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Previous dental assistant working experience with solid understanding of dental terminology, treatments & procedures is required.

Competencies:
Excellent communication, interpersonal and customer service skills.
Excellent speaking voice; proper grammar, diction, enunciation and tone.

Excellent listening and organization skills; ability to multi-task.
Ability to effectively communicate verbally and written within all levels.
Ability to work with others in a collaborative and professional manner; teamwork is essential.
Ability to adapt to change and meet the unexpected needs and demands.
Must be accountable, dependable, independent, motivated, punctual, reliable and flexible.
Must exhibit excellent work ethic and maintain honesty and integrity.

Working knowledge of dental management systems, preferably axiUm. Experience in consumer-side healthcare environment. Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion. Competency using a variety of computer applications, including MS Office suite, iBooks and other instructional media.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Dental Medicine

Pay Range

$17.12 - $22.50 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay