We're with you for life’s journey. At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey.

Our Values

Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency

Department

Job Summary

The Dental Assistant I, under direct supervision, provides sub-professional dental work assisting dental providers in the care and treatment of dental patients. At the clinic level maintains the environment of care, manages daily schedules, and performs clinical supportive functions. Is able to support and travel to all Denver Health dental clinics to dental assist as needed. At the chairside level, assists at the dental chair, acquires quality radiographic images and diagnostic material, records and tracks patient data, provides excellent communication, and performs sound infection control practices and techniques. Proficient primarily in supporting recall and preventative dental exams. At the employee level promotes positive and professional interpersonal relationships and supports the team concept.

Essential Functions:

• At the Clinic Level:
  • Maintaining all environment of care areas, including equipment, dental materials, and stocking of supplies in all rooms to ensure that the clinic is functional and in good working order. i.e. (Completing champion duties, stocking rooms during downtime, and helping set up and breakdown rooms for other team members.) 
  • Reviews daily schedules to determine needs for the day for the TEAM and communicates adjustments for proper patient flow. i.e. (continuously observes schedule for changes throughout the day of, next day, and week. Scrubs schedule for the above during downtime.) 
  • Begin to learn time management and office flow.
  • Supports front office staff and leadership.
  (40%)
• At the Chair Side Level:
  • Communicates well with patients while greeting and seating patients in a timely manner.  
  • Completes all rooming task questions.
  • Acquires diagnostic and quality radiographic images for the providers with good visibility and contrast.
  • Provides chair side dental assistance to all providers
  • Properly handling of dental instruments and sterilization of needed equipment.
  • Proper Asepsis techniques and practices in the operatories
  • Follows OSHA, Joint Commission, EPA, and HIPAA regulations and guidelines. i.e.
  • Assist with all areas of Recall and Preventative Exams:
  ◦ Review PT chart and health history, relay information to doctor; health history updated yearly
  ◦ Begin to recognize caries risk and develop skill as it applies to fluoride treatment and radiograph periodicity.
  ◦ Complete prophy with disclosing agent, no evidence of disclosing solution or plaque left behind when finished.
  ◦ Educate patients and parents of recommended hygiene instructions.
  ◦ Begin to learn to treatment plan and sequence TX in order of priority (with dentist).
  ◦ Proper handoff to Patient Access Specialist (PAS); communicate next steps/patient status.
  • Detail oriented and perceptive to doctor and teammates needs
  • Maintains Dental Operatory.
  (50%)
• At the Employee Level:
  • Promotes positive interpersonal (customer) relationships with fellow employees, physicians, patients and visitors.
  • Treats these individuals with courtesy, dignity, empathy and respect; consistently displays courteous and respectful verbal and non-verbal communications.
  (10%)

Education:

• No High School Diploma and/or No GED

Work Experience:

• Less than 1 year of experience providing chair side assistance to a dentist in the examination and treatment of patients.

Licenses:

• BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association or American Red Cross required
• CDA-Certified Dental Assistant - DANB - Dental Assisting National Board Inc

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of dental materials such as composites, amalgam, impression materials, and Iso-dry.
• Knowledge of patient record maintenance procedures.
• Knowledge of OSHA, CDC, ADA Joint Commission safety guidelines.
• Skill in placing and positioning suction tubes and isolation devices in patients.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to follow Dentist’s instructions.
• Works with front office to schedule patients.
• Calming, positive, and supportive chairside manner

Shift

Work Type

Salary

Benefits

At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.

Here is a small list of our benefit programs:

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
• Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
• Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
• Tuition reimbursement & assistance
• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.