What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dental Assistant position at Open Door Health Services?
Dental Assistant
Department/Location: Dental Clinic at our 333 S. Madison St. clinic
Reports To: Practice Manager
Classification: Non-Exempt | Full Time
Reports To: Practice Manager
Classification: Non-Exempt | Full Time
Requires: Graduation from an accredited Dental Assisting program
* Prefer Certification as a Dental Assistant
*Prefer current x-ray certification
Schedule:
Open Door Health Services is seeking a full-time Dental Assistant for our Dental Clinic.
Overview
As a Dental Assistant, you will uphold our Mission, Vision, and Values. In this position you will perform a variety of patient care activities to provide clinical support and assistance to dentists. You will assist in the delivery of dental care and patient care management.
As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Open Door Health Services provides comprehensive primary, urgent, preventive, and select specialty services and social support programs for individuals and families, regardless of their ability to pay. Our patients represent diverse backgrounds, life experiences, capacities, and orientations.
Location
This position is located 333 S Madison St. in Muncie.
Roles amp; Responsibilities
In this role, you will:
- Prepare operatories, instruments, and equipment while ensuring patients are escorted, medical/dental histories are verified, and clinical documentation is accurately completed in Dentrix Enterprise.
- Assist dentists and hygienists during procedures, obtain diagnostic radiographs in accordance with Indiana certification standards, and provide post-operative instructions and patient education.
- Maintain efficient patient flow by ensuring operatories are ready, communicating patient status with providers and front desk staff, and supporting other clinic teams during high-volume periods.
- Review patient charts for required documentation, upload and verify imaging, and escalate missing consents or clinical documentation to prevent treatment delays.
- Follow all infection prevention, sterilization, and regulatory requirements, including CDC, OSHA, FQHC, and ODHS standards, while maintaining equipment and compliance logs.
- Demonstrate professionalism, compassion, accountability, and teamwork by protecting patient confidentiality, participating in quality improvement initiatives, and maintaining reliable attendance and communication.
Successful candidates will:
- Demonstrate a commitment to ethical, inclusive, and patient-centered care
- Exhibit Open Door values: Esteeming the Team, Maximizing Potential, Doing the Right Thing, Choosing Compassion, and Encouraging Uniqueness
- Be able to react calmly in emergency situations
- Be able to read, understand, and follow detailed written and oral communication
- Be able to learn to use and update electronic health records and other online systems
Qualifications
- High School diploma or GED equivalence.
- Graduate from an accredited dental assisting program.
- Indiana Dental Radiology Certification OR Temporary Indiana Dental Radiology Permit for newly graduated dental assistants actively completing certification requirements.
- CPR/BLS Certification.
- One year of dental assisting experience, preferred.
- Experience with Dentrix Enterprise or comparable dental EHR system.
About Open Door
For more than 50 years, Open Door Health Services has provided friendly, expert, patient-centered care for East Central Indiana residents, with or without insurance. Services are offered at multiple locations in Muncie and Anderson, Indiana. We are strongly guided by our mission, vision, and values in all we do.
Mission: Our mission is to improve the quality of life of others. We strive to create a better life and future for others, and ourselves, by enhancing the communities where we live, work, and play.
Vision: Open Door Health Services is the preferred partner in East Central Indiana for improving the well-being of individuals and the communities in which they live.
Values: Esteem the Team • Maximize Potential • Do the Right Thing • Choose Compassion • Encourage Uniqueness
Open Door offers:
- An excellent benefit package covering your medical, dental, and vision needs
- Competitive pay
- Supportive team environment
- PTO and vacation time
- Opportunities for learning and career growth
Physical and Environmental Requirements
- Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substance, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to clinic environment. Tasks involve contact with blood or body substances.
- Requires standing, walking or sitting for long periods of time. Occasional bending, stretching or lifting up to 25 pounds.
- Requires the ability to work under stressful situations.
- Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range or use of approved adaptive equipment.
- Ability to work safely while using PPE and following infection-control protocols.