University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department: Department of Diagnostic Sciences and Surgical Dentistry

Job Title: Dental Assistant Lead (Dental Care II)

Position: #00840834 – Requisition: #37905

Job Summary:

The School of Dental Medicine (SDM) has an opening for a full-time Dental Assistant Lead in the Advanced Care Clinics. Under the direction of the Advanced Care Clinics Manager, this position serves as both a functional working dental assistant and a lead, providing chairside assistance in specialty areas including oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, periodontics, general practice residency, and community dentistry. The Dental Assistant Lead supports clinical operations, mentors dental assistants, ensures adherence to infection control protocols, and collaborates with faculty, residents, students, and staff to deliver high-quality patient care. This onsite position is located at the University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus, with typical hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Key Responsibilities:

Chairside Assistant (90%)

• Clinical/patient treatment preparation and positioning; inspect instruments/tools for proper condition and functionality.

• Use sterile techniques and infection control procedures; perform appropriate aseptic and sterilization processes.

• Provide demonstration and instruction in technical dentistry practices when assisting dental students.

• Perform dental intraoral and extraoral radiographs using proper techniques and safety equipment; develop, mount, and identify radiographic films.

• Troubleshoot the scanner to ensure high-quality film development.

• Serve as a working Dental Assistant and back-up as needed.

• Coordinate and prioritize clinic dental assistant responsibilities and tasks.

• Monitor clinic and patient needs throughout the day; communicate recommended adjustments to address emergencies, cancellations, and changes in treatment plans.

• Provide support and coaching to lower-level dental assistants to help them adapt to clinic changes.

• Monitor inventory levels and collaborate with department leadership to ensure adequate supplies for daily clinic needs.

• Perform daily checks of emergency airway black boxes.

• Ensure weekly chair audits and clinical logs are completed, reviewed, and accurate before submission to department leadership.

• Serve as the first point of contact for audit-related questions.

Training and Mentorship (10%)

• Serve as the day-to-day work lead for unit operations, including assigning work and serving as a resource.

• Serve as an assigned trainer for new employees and those requiring additional training in patient procedures and clinic workflows.

• Provide input to team leadership for higher-level decision-making; offer regular feedback to the Advanced Care Clinics Manager for performance reviews.

• Demonstrate continuous learning and apply principles of patient care and four-handed chairside procedures.

• Provide quality assurance by ensuring all clinical protocols, sterilization, and infection control procedures are followed according to policies.

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and