Dental Assistant

Make a Difference with DHSS

Our mission at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is to improve the quality of life of Delaware citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. We prioritize personal and family independence by assisting individuals and families in a variety of life areas.

We offer numerous career opportunities and are dedicated to attracting and retaining highly talented individuals who are ready to make a difference in their community today. DHSS is a great place to kick-start your profession.

For more information, please visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/ today!

The dental assistant will assist with dental clinical procedures, under the direct supervision of a dentist or dental hygienist, within the DSAMH Dental Clinic. Duties include preparing the patient for procedures and producing quality diagnostic radiographic images.  The assistant will prepare treatment area, lay out instrumentation appropriate to the planned procedure, clean up treatment area, process instruments for sterilization, and ensure overall cleanliness of the clinic. The assistant also organizes and maintains inventory of supplies used in patient care.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Assists dentist and/or dental hygienist during chairside procedures such as operative, preventive, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic, limited orthodontics, and oral surgery. 
• Keeps oral areas clean during dental procedures by using retraction, suction, and irrigation.
• Prepares and assists with placement of dental materials.
• Takes and develops radiographs.
• Disinfects environmental surfaces of the operatory which includes sterilization of instruments and equipment in accordance with federal, state, and institutional standards for infection control and safety. 
• Organizes, maintains and sets-up dental instruments and equipment. 
• Provides patient or parent education and oral hygiene instructions such as tooth brushing and flossing under direction of dentist and/or dental hygienist. 
• Greets patients and answers telephones. Coordinates scheduling for patient's appointments, ensuring a full schedule of patients and reducing missed appointments.
• Maintains patient records by entering, updating, modifying and retrieving client information into an established information system. Confirms Medicaid eligibility.
• Maintains inventory and orders supplies for the clinic's operation.
• May assist in training dental assistant trainees and volunteers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Dental Assistant
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Delaware Dental Radiation Technician Certification or a Dental Radiation Technologist Certification from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Due to a new requirement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) the following mandate is effective January 27, 2022: As a condition of employment, employees providing health care services and/or support services in covered facilities must show proof that they have received the dose of a single J&J dose or the 1st dose of Moderna/Pfizer two-dose vaccine effective date January 27, 2022, and proof of the single J&J dose or the 2nd dose of Moderna/Pfizer two-dose vaccine by February. 28, 2022. Employees may not provide any care, treatment, or other services until proof is provided.  Based on CMS guidance, the date for compliance may extend into March due to the health care facilities high vaccination rate of staff.  If you accept a position with the facility, your Human Resources representative can provide more guidance.  The only exception to these requirements is for those employees granted medical or religious exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which may require weekly COVID-19 testing. This will be in effect until further notice.  More information can be found here.

This posting may be closed on or before 10/19/2022 upon filling the vacant position(s).

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware Executive Branch participates in the Federal E-Verify system where the State will provide the federal government with each new hires Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our job seeker resources.

This position is a classification organized under an exclusive bargaining representative (labor organization) that has been elected by employees as their representative for collective bargaining and other applicable terms and conditions of employment, in accordance with Title 29, Chapter 59 and Title 19, Chapter 13 and 16.  This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement based on its individual terms.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.  It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.  For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.   Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.  Please keep your contact information current.  You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at Delaware State Jobs.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.