Lead Dental Assistant

To supervise and instruct various clinical personnel providing assistance to dental residents and/or faculty in the examination, delivery, and maintenance of oral healthcare. To maintain dental equipment and supplies and the disposal of chemicals/biohazard materials in accordance with established protocol, procedures, policies, and standards.

Education & Experience: High school diploma/GED and three (3) years of related work experience. Successful completion of an approved ADA accredited dental assistant program and clinical experience in an academic teaching environment preferred. Certifications, Licenses or Registration Required: Radiology permit issued by State of Mississippi. Accepted CPR or BLS certification required post-hire within 30 days.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Knowledge of dental procedures and protocols. Knowledge of sterile procedures. Knowledge of radiation safety procedures, standards, and protocols. Verbal and written communication skills. Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation. Ability to develop and process dental radiographs. Ability to perform basic supervisory functions and computer functions. Ability to train and motivate students.

Responsibilities:

• Provides chair side assistance to dentist and/or dental hygienist in the performance of dental procedures.
• Prepares patients, sterilizes and disinfects instruments, sets up instrument trays, and prepares materials; completes orders.
• Supervises, schedules, monitors, and evaluates the performance of first and second level dental assistants and various other clinical / dispensary personnel.
• Instructs students in the principles of four-handed dentistry, dental assistant utilization, radiographic techniques, and/or the operation and maintenance of radiographic and laboratory equipment.
• Processes radiographs. Oversees, monitors, and maintains supplies and dental equipment such as compressors, evacuator systems, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers, light curing equipment, and/or other laboratory equipment. Works with property officers to track clinical equipment.
• Ensures compliance with safety and infection control standards.
• The duties listed are general in nature and are examples of the duties and responsibilities performed and are not meant to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Management retains the right to add or change duties at any time.

Physical and Environmental Demands: Requires frequent exposure to unpleasant or disagreeable physical environment such as high noise level and exposure to heat and cold, frequent handling or working with potentially dangerous equipment, frequent exposure to biohazardous conditions such as risk of radiation exposure, blood borne pathogens, fumes or airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals which mandate attention to safety considerations, occasional activities subject to significant volume changes of a seasonal/clinical nature, constant work produced subject to precise measures of quantity and quality, frequent bending, occasional lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds, frequent crouching/stooping, occasional kneeling, occasional pushing/pulling, constant reaching, constant sitting, frequent standing, frequent twisting, and occasional walking. (occasional-up to 20%, frequent-from 21% to 50%, constant-51% or more)

Time Type: Full time

FLSA Designation/Job Exempt: No

Pay Class: Hourly

FTE %: 100

Work Shift: Day

Benefits Eligibility: Grant Funded: No

Job Posting Date: 08/11/2025

Job Closing Date (open until filled if no date specified): 08/13/2025