Dental Assistant, Department of Oral Medicine, Penn Dental Medicine

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, Department of Oral Medicine, Penn Dental Medicine

Job Profile Title
Dental Assistant C

Job Description Summary
Penn Dental Medicine (PDM) has been a long-standing leader in clinical excellence due to its strong yet diverse faculty, a highly collaborative relationship with the School of Medicine, and its location within an Ivy League university and a city which is world renowned for health care education. The Dental Assistant will be a key team member supporting the fourth-year dental students and serve various stakeholders including students, faculty, staff and patients.

At Penn Dental Medicine, our students are among the nation’s best, and they are matched in quality by the high level of instruction and research among our faculty. Our research encompasses all the basic and clinical sciences, and Penn’s emphasis on interdisciplinary scholarship encourages collaborations across disciplines. Our clinical care brings the latest techniques and technologies to patients within our teaching clinics and faculty practice. As stewards of the neighborhood in which we reside, Penn Dental Medicine participates in a diversity of community outreach programs, serving area residents while teaching our students to practice with compassion and responsibility.

Job Description

Dental Assistants are responsible for providing and supervising direct chairside assistance, clinical supervision and support and teaching of pre-doctoral and post-doctoral dental students, taking radiographs, and assisting with patient behaviour support plans.  Experience in supporting dental care delivery including preparation of treatment rooms, setting up patient instruments and materials, passing instruments and performing procedures in compliance with the dental practice is preferred and required of the role. Comfort with treating specialized care patients including but not limited to individuals with complex medical concerns, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, behavioural and emotional limitations a must.

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES

• POSITIVE ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM, with a strong commitment to exceeding patient and team expectations

• FLEXIBILITY AND OPENNESS to work as a team in a variety of roles, assignments and duties

• TEAM PLAYER a strong desire to be an active, long-term participant in the growth and success of the practice

• ABILITY TO ADAPT AND LEARN QUICKLY, make an immediate, sustainable impact, and provide value-added service to patients and team

• STRONG COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, displaying the ability to connect and build relationships with team members/peers and patients

• CONFIDENCE IN PROFESSIONAL APTITUDE and ability to effectively convey skills, knowledge and qualifications to patients

PATIENT EXPERIENCE

• Supervise patient preparation for dental treatment by observing and assisting students with welcoming, comforting, seating, and obtaining medical history and patient vitals, and draping patient.

• Supervise and aid dental students in developing and creating patient environment consistent with patient behavior support plans.

• Provide medical immobilization and/or protective stabilization as needed and outlined in patient behavior support plans.

• Supervise and may document dental care services by charting in patient records. Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.

• Provides materials by assisting/teaching students proper selecting, mixing, and placing materials on instruments and in the patient's mouth.

• Expose, process, and mount necessary x-rays.

• Assist students in obtaining diagnostic information by exposing and developing radiographic studies and pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts.

• Maintains patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances. Supervise/advise students in fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances.

• Aid in chairside assistance as needed.

• Educate and motivate patients by giving oral hygiene and plaque control instructions, presents and explains treatment plans to patients, demonstrates effective communication to bridge the gap between a pending treatment plan and a completed treatment plan, provides postoperative instructions and schedules subsequent visits.

• Aid in and provide clear instruction in the preparation of diagnostic data, digital imaging, digital intraoral & diagnostic photos, sterilization, and scanning diagnostic models.

• Demonstrate competence in four-handed dentistry technique, level of knowledge & proficiency in use of current dental materials, instruments and equipment.

CLINIC OPERATIONS

• Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.

• Protects patients and employees by ensuring and adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.

• Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory.

• Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results; monitors inventory; maintains proper usage and operations of equipment.

• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.

• To date, clinical hours are Monday through Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM; flexibility in scheduling is required for all positions.

• Ensure operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques as needed.

Other duties as assigned

• Provide and maintain expertise in innovative solutions focused on the responsible stewardship of Penn Dental Medicine and its community experience.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Technical School, Certification, or training required beyond High School and minimum of 3 years of practical experience in a dental care facility or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

• To legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures in Pennsylvania under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, a dental assistant must have passed national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam

• Current CPR certification and BLS required.

Job Location - City, Sta