Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Floater Dental Assistant
💰 $22 - $32 per hour (DOE)
HealthcareDentalClinical Support
🎯 Role Definition
As a Floater Dental Assistant, you will be the cornerstone of our clinical flexibility, seamlessly integrating into different office teams on a daily or weekly basis. Your primary mission is to provide expert chairside and administrative support, ensuring that patient care standards and operational efficiency are maintained across all locations. You will be called upon to fill in for staff absences, support high-volume patient days, and assist with new office integrations. This position requires a proactive, independent, and highly organized professional who can quickly acclimate to new environments, dentists, and team dynamics while upholding the highest standards of dental care.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Dental Assistant (Single Practice)
- Recent Graduate from an Accredited Dental Assisting Program
- Sterilization Technician
Advancement To:
- Lead Dental Assistant
- Clinical Team Lead / Clinical Coordinator
- Office Manager
- Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA)
Lateral Moves:
- Dental Hygienist (with additional education)
- Dental Practice Consultant
- Dental Equipment Sales Representative
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Prepare treatment rooms, patients, instruments, and materials for dental procedures with meticulous attention to detail.
- Provide proficient four-handed chairside assistance to dentists and hygienists during a wide range of procedures, including restorative, prosthetic, endodontic, and surgical treatments.
- Accurately capture and process high-quality diagnostic images, including digital x-rays and intraoral photos, as prescribed by the dentist.
- Perform meticulous sterilization, disinfection, and maintenance of all dental instruments, equipment, and operatories in strict accordance with CDC and OSHA guidelines.
- Document all dental procedures, patient notes, and treatment plans accurately and comprehensively in the practice management software (e.g., Dentrix, Eaglesoft).
- Take precise preliminary and final impressions, fabricate temporary crowns, and pour/trim models as directed.
- Provide clear and empathetic pre-operative and post-operative instructions to patients, ensuring they understand their treatment and home care requirements.
- Manage and maintain dental supply inventory, anticipating needs, placing orders, and stocking operatories to ensure smooth daily operations.
- Effectively manage and track lab cases, ensuring timely pickup, delivery, and quality control of materials from dental laboratories.
- Assist in patient management during procedures, monitoring patient comfort and providing reassurance to create a positive dental experience.
- Perform basic dental laboratory procedures, such as creating whitening trays and pouring diagnostic casts.
- Educate patients on oral hygiene techniques and provide information on treatment options as recommended by the dentist.
- Set up and break down operatory rooms before and after each patient, maintaining a clean and professional clinical environment at all times.
- Record and maintain accurate patient health histories, vital signs, and dental charting information.
- Assist with the placement and removal of rubber dams, matrices, and wedges for restorative procedures.
Secondary Functions
- Travel reliably between multiple designated practice locations, sometimes with short notice, to provide necessary clinical coverage.
- Rapidly adapt to the unique workflows, protocols, and practice management software of different offices and providers.
- Provide backup support to the front office team as needed, including answering phones, scheduling appointments, and processing payments.
- Act as a liaison between different offices, promoting best practices and ensuring consistent application of company-wide policies and clinical standards.
- Contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment by building rapport quickly with various teams and providers.
- Assist in maintaining the organization and cleanliness of shared clinical spaces, including sterilization centers and storage areas, across all locations.
- Participate in team meetings and training sessions, both virtually and in-person, to stay current with company updates and clinical advancements.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- State-Issued Radiology/X-Ray Certification
- Current CPR/BLS Certification
- Proficiency in dental practice management software (e.g., Dentrix, Eaglesoft, OpenDental)
- Expertise in four-handed dentistry techniques
- Familiarity with digital scanning technology (iTero, CEREC)
- Comprehensive knowledge of dental terminology, instruments, and procedures
- Thorough understanding and application of HIPAA, OSHA, and CDC infection control protocols
- Experience with taking alginate impressions and fabricating temporary restorations
Soft Skills
- Exceptional Adaptability and Flexibility in dynamic work environments
- Superior Interpersonal and Patient Communication skills
- Strong Problem-Solving and Critical-Thinking abilities
- High level of Organization and Time Management
- Proven Teamwork and Collaboration skills
- Unwavering Professionalism and a Positive Attitude
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Certificate or Diploma from an accredited Dental Assisting program
Preferred Education:
- Associate's Degree in a Health Science field
- Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) Certification
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Dental Assisting
- Health Sciences
- Biology
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 2-5 years of hands-on chairside dental assisting experience.
Preferred: Experience working in a multi-provider or multi-location dental organization.