MightyRecruiterWriting a job description to fill an open position may seem easy, but if you want the best talent in your area applying for the job, then you need to write a superior job description. Simply putting a job listing online that only says that you are looking for a new dental assistant is not going to catch anyone’s attention. You need to state very explicitly what you are looking for in a candidate and what people have to gain by working at your office. This dental assistant job description sample gives a good sense of what kind of material you should include in your own listing.
Dental Assistant Job Summary
You will make sure that all essential functions in the dentist’s office are carried out. You will need to help patients feel comfortable and answer any questions they might have before or after the procedure. A basic knowledge of dental tools and procedures is needed.
Dental Assistant Job Responsibilities and Duties
- Follow protocols for preparing treatment rooms and equipment
- Answer all questions and educate patients following a visit about how to properly take care of teeth and gums
- Ensure all documentation is recorded properly and file it
- Inspect inventory and order new supplies and equipment when needed
- Make sure that the office is kept clean and tidy at all times
- Welcome patients into the office and ensure they are comfortable once they are in the dentist’s chair
- Troubleshoot problems with any of the tools and perform the necessary repairs
- Regularly update your own knowledge of the dental world by reading materials and attending workshops
- Help the dentist diagnose any oral health issues and offer recommendations
Dental Assistant Skills and Qualifications
- Familiarity with dental tools and treatments
- Ability to take instructions
- Professional bedside manner
- Actively interested in seeking a career in dentistry
- Knowledge of best cleaning practices for an office
Company Profile
Bright Smile Dentistry has been helping patients get the smiles they have always wanted since 2002. We perform a variety of procedures from simple check-ups to surgeries. Our mission is to give patients the dental care they need in a comfortable, compassionate environment, and we hope to see you join our team!
Writing a Job Description Best Practices
- The dental assistant job description sample given above is a good start for making your own job listing, but you will want to customize your own with information that is relevant to the job you are trying to fill. This sample should not be used verbatim, and you should implement the following tips when working on your own description:
- Do discuss your job description with someone currently working as a dental assistant or someone who has had that job in the past. They will be able to tell you if your list of responsibilities and skills needs to be altered in any way.
- Do keep the description under 700 words. Too much information means that job seekers may not retain everything, or it will be confusing. However, you do not want to be too short either.
- Do clearly state where your dental office is located. A physical address is usually fine, or you can put what part of the city you are located in.
- Do think about what a job applicant would want out of this job. Are there opportunities for growth? Are there certain perks or benefits you can offer? The best employees will likely have multiple job offers, so you want to sway opinion in your favor.
- Do have a start date if you are aware of it. By clearly stating when the position needs to start, you will help generate urgency and make applicants more likely to apply right this second rather than wait.
- Do figure out what is absolutely essential. Your list describing qualifications should primarily consist of attributes that are needed in a person to be successful. Once you have that all figured out, you can come up with a few skills that you simply want. These are not deal breakers, but they can separate the good from the great in candidates.
- Do not discuss salary if it is against company protocol. You should talk with someone to see if you are allowed to divulge that information.
By writing an improved job description, you will be in a much better position to hire a better worker. A talented dental assistant can make your life so much easier, so spend some time working on your next description.
Dental Assistant Job Responsibilities
Do you know which part of your dental assistant job description is most important? It is common to focus primarily on the job responsibilities section, since this provides readers with the best information about what they would be doing if they get the job. It should be your goal to show them the benefits of the position and help them envision themselves doing the work. For these reasons, the dental assistant job responsibilities section should be the meatiest part of the job description.
As far as formatting goes, you should make sure to organize the responsibilities as a bulleted list. Using a strong action verb for the first word is a good way to make the information easier to access. It is a good idea to include between six and eight bullet points, as this is not too long or too short.
Take a look at the following example entries to help you make your own dental assistant job description as strong as possible.
- Interact with patients, gather information and explain dental procedures
- Provide assistance to dental professionals while they work, fetching tools and completing minor dental work while they attend to other patients
- Collect payment from patients after work finishes
- Prepare patients for procedures, taking X-rays and gathering other information
Dental Assistant Job Specifications
One of the worst things that can happen after posting a dental assistant job description is no talented professionals apply. It would be nearly as bad if there are an overwhelming number of unqualified applicants. To keep either of these from happening, make sure the job qualifications and skills section which describes the expectations is just right. It is ultimately responsible for influencing who applies, so it should filter out poorly fitting readers while encouraging the best candidates to apply.
It is a good idea to organize the dental assistant job specifications into preferred and mandatory qualifications. This will keep those who are entirely unqualified from applying while encouraging the best candidates even if they do not quite fit every expectation perfectly. Focus on determining exactly what qualities are deal-breakers and which are more lenient. Your hiring manager or another superior should be able to shed some light on this aspect.
Get started on your dental assistant job description with these effective example entries.
- Must have completed a dental program and become fully certified to work in a dental practice
- Familiarity with standard dental equipment and machinery and an understanding of how to use them
- Good interpersonal and verbal communication skills
- Highly organized and familiar completing administrative responsibilities
