Dental Assistant

Come smile with us!

MAHEC's Center for Dentistry and Oral Health, Biltmore Campus at Asheville, is seeking a level I or level II Dental Assistant. Join a team where your impact extends beyond patient care. As part of MAHEC's academic and residency training environment, you'll work closely with dental residents and faculty, helping to shape the future of dentistry while supporting exceptional clinical care. This role is ideal for dental assistants who enjoy teaching, collaboration, and being part of a mission-driven healthcare organization. Our campuses are beautiful, our equipment is state of the art, and our team collaborates with one another each day to provide the best patient experience offered anywhere in our region. This is a full-time position, eligible for MAHEC's full Total Rewards package, including great healthcare coverage, pet insurance, up to 30 paid days off annually, and more!

JOB SUMMARY: 

Under direct supervision of a dentist, prepares both the patient and the dentist for oral procedures.  Will work alongside the dentist during patient examinations, sterilize equipment, take and develop x-rays, conduct routine teeth cleanings, perform lab duties, maintain patient records, and educate patients in proper oral health.  

Both level I and II Dental Assistants perform work responsibilities under the direct control and supervision of a dentist.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES (Level I Dental Assistant):

• Regularly maintains high speed and low speed handpieces. 

• Collects and records patient health histories. 

• Patient management during dental procedures. 

• Instrument transfer 4 handed dentistry while following sterile/OSHA procedures. 

• Prepares dental materials, cements, composite, impression materials, etc.  

• Anticipates all of doctor’s needs. 

• Ensures operatory is set up and broken down properly. 

• Conducts maintenance of all equipment; sterilizers, ultrasonic, flush lines, clean/replace traps 

• Assumes responsibility for the upkeep of the dental operatory and equipment. 

• Maintains a stocked and clean operatory.   

• Assists in updating and maintaining patient dental records to include Perio charting as directed.  

• Exposes and develops radiographs while always using good radiation hygiene. 

• Ensures all instruments are cleaned and sterilized/disinfected to meet OSHA, CDC, and ADA standards.  

• Ensures Dental treatment room is properly disinfected. 

• Explains post-operative care.  

• Attends and participate in team meetings. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES (Level II Dental Assistant):

• Take impressions for study models and opposing casts which will not be used for construction of dental appliances, but which may be used for the fabrication of adjustable orthodontic appliances;  

• Pour up study models;  

• Apply sealants to teeth that do not require mechanical alteration prior to the application of such sealants, provided a dentist has examined the patient and prescribed the procedure;  

• Insert matrix bands and wedges;  

• Place cavity bases and liners;  

• Place and/or remove rubber dams;  

• Cement temporary restorations using temporary cement;  

• Apply acid etch materials/rinses;  

• Apply bonding agents;  

• Remove periodontal dressings;  

• Remove sutures;  

• Place gingival retraction cord;  

• Remove excess cement;  

• Flush, dry and temporarily close root canals;  

• Place and remove temporary restorations;  

• Place and tie in or untie and remove orthodontic arch wires;  

• Insert interdental spacers;  

• Fit (size) orthodontic bands or brackets;  

• Apply dentin desensitizing solutions;  

• Perform extra-oral adjustments which affect function, fit or occlusion of any temporary restoration or appliance;  

• Initially form and size orthodontic arch wires and place arch wires after final adjustment and approval by the dentist;  

• Apply topical anesthetics/Dentipatcha;  

• Apply topical fluoride;  

• Expose radiographs (after appropriate training requirement met);  

• Write laboratory work orders (exact words dictated by dentist);  

• Put away incoming lab cases;  

• Monitor patients under nitrous oxide (after completing 7-hour Board-approved course, unless included in ADA-accredited program);  

• Oral hygiene instruction;  

• Polish coronal portion of tooth (after completing 7-hour Board-approved course);  

• Place amalgam in prep with carrier;  

• Take pulse, blood pressure, and temperature; review health history and update as necessary;  

• Insert spacer wires or springs;  

• Polish the clinical crown using only;  

• a hand-held brush and appropriate polishing agents; or  

• a combination of a slow speed handpiece (not to exceed 10,000 rpm) with  

• attached rubber cup or bristle brush, and appropriate polishing agents.  

• Before a Dental Assistant II can utilize a slow speed handpiece with rubber   

• cup or bristle brush attachment, a formal educational course in coronal   

• polishing consisting of at least 7 hours shall be completed. A polishing   

• procedure shall in no way be represented to the patient as a prophylaxis and no specific charge shall be made for such unless the dentist has performed an evaluation for calculus, deposits, or accretions and a dentist or dental hygienist has removed any substances detected;  

• Dental/Oral Surgery Assisting as needed;  

• chairside OR dentistry; extractions, dental implants, cleanings, X-Rays, sterile procedures, suction, lights, dental equipment, and anesthesia  

KEY COMPETENCIES: 

• Communication Skills  

Effectively and respectably communicate with other individuals, whether it be a colleague, patient, or patient’s family member and appropriately enumerate information in a manner easily understood by all parties. We do this to foster a culture of understanding between all parties, especially in complex and difficult situations, to ultimately provide the best care possible to our patients and their families. 

• Decision Making 

Ability to make the most appropriate decision in a given situation and then taking the next steps to ensure appropriate and timely completion. This requires conflict resolution skills, critical thinking skills, confidence in your ability to make the right decision in most situations. This also includes ability to prioritize your workday appropriately to ensure the most important tasks are completed on time. 

• HealthCare Knowledge 

Having the drive to keep yourself abreast and up to date on the new breakthroughs in your area of expertise and communicating them to the rest of the team, as appropriate.  This also includes keeping up with your licensure and yearly training requirements within your area expertise along with MAHEC’s organizational training. Finally, the ability to apply the depth of knowledge maintained and gained through this process in real life scenarios as appropriate. 

• Interpersonal Skills  

Showing the ability to meet difficult situations with grace, professionalism, and understanding. Within your area of expertise, showing respect and showing empathy where appropriate with your colleagues, patients, and their family at all times, even when its most difficult to do so. This is done, in part, by effective listening, being your authentic self, showing responsibility and dependability, and being patient with others. 

• Organizational Values 

Adherence to MAHEC’s founding principles and incorporating them every day. This includes, among others, having integrity and accountability, reverence for other cultures and equitable practices, ability to manage change, and displaying a clear understanding of organizational dynamics. Doing these things creates a culture where people want to do the best for each other and gives personal ownership towards the goal of helping people in their time of need. 

• Problem Solving  

Having an analytical mind and ability to work autonomously to solve complex problems that may arise. The wherewithal to think logically through a difficult problem and come to an appropriate resolution for a given issue. This helps to drive continuous improvement by thinking through where we can improve in a novel way. Measures success by understanding where we are currently and where we want to go and then applying those new ideas to affect positive change. 

SPECIFIED SKILLS 

• COMPUTER 

• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database applications required. 

• Must be proficient in Dentrix and MiPacs.  

• FOREIGN LANGUAGE 

• Spanish speaking skills preferred. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Physical Demands: Light - Moderate energy level: Lift and carry 25 - 35 lbs, Push/Pull 50 - 100 lbs (empty bed, stretcher, etc.)  

• Physical Activity: Frequent (34 - 66% of Workday)  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Level I Dental Assistants:

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to: 

• High School Diploma or GED.

• On the job training or Certification in Dental Assisting as required by state. 

• Current CPR, BLS or PALS required or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. 

• Ability to work Monday through Friday and occasional weekends as scheduled and based on business need. 

• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Level II Dental Assistants:

Must meet one of the following criteria:

successful completion of:  

• an ADA accredited dental assisting program; or  

• one academic year or longer in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program  
• 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 training 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;  

plus, successful completion of:  

• a 3-hour course in sterilization and infection control;  

• a 3-hour course in dental office emergencies;  

• radiology training   

• a 7-hour course in nitrous-oxide monitoring  

• Must maintain continuing education requirements in radiology, infection control, and dental office emergencies as required by state law.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, DAII:

• Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification.  

• Certification in monitoring nitrous-oxide.  

SCHEDULE: 

• Regular attendance on-site is an essential function of this position. Typical business hours at MAHEC Center for Dentistry and Oral Health are Monday – Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Fridays 8:00am-12:00pm (or flexed to best meet the needs of the clients and/or the Division);
• 32-36 hours per workweek; Work hours will need to be flexible in order to respond to special work assignments, or evening activities, as requested by the team leader. 

COMPENSATION:

• DAI: $20.63/hour
• DAII: $23.65/hour
  

This is a full-time role, approximately 32-36 hours weekly, and is eligible for MAHEC Total Rewards Package.

At MAHEC, we strive to equip all team members with Total Rewards (pay + benefits) to honor their service, support their health, manage their financial security, build their career, and thrive.

MAHEC is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Employees who meet federal requirements may be eligible to have remaining student loan balances forgiven after 10 years of qualifying payments while working full-time at MAHEC.

If you are interested in this role, and you have related experience and qualifications, we encourage you to apply or reach out to [email protected] for support in your job search process. You could be the talent we are seeking for this or other opportunities

All MAHEC employees and learners will be required to receive the Flu vaccine or have an approved exemption.

MAHEC does not provide employment-based US visa sponsorship, now or in the future. All new employees must provide valid, original I-9 documents on their first day of work.

MAHEC Talent Management is located at 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803. Equal Opportunity Employer.