Dental Assistant, Medical

Job Title: Dental Assistant

Strategic Purpose of the Role

The Dental Assistant ensures smooth clinical operations and supports the dental team in delivering safe, efficient, and patient-centered care. This role contributes to:

• Delivering safe and efficient dental care services.
• Enhancing patient comfort and satisfaction during treatment.
• Maintaining high standards of infection prevention and control.
• Ensuring accurate documentation and patient record management.
• Supporting dentists and hygienists in clinical and administrative tasks.
• Improving operational efficiency and clinic organization.

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Support

• Prepare treatment rooms and ensure readiness for procedures.
• Assist dentists during examinations and treatments.
• Hand instruments and materials to dentists during procedures.
• Take and develop dental radiographs (X-rays).
• Provide chairside assistance and patient reassurance.
• Sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment.

Patient Care & Education

• Welcome patients and prepare them for treatment.
• Provide instructions on oral hygiene and post-treatment care.
• Support patient comfort and reduce anxiety during procedures.

Administrative Support

• Schedule patient appointments and manage the clinic calendar.
• Maintain accurate patient records and treatment notes.
• Handle billing, payments, and insurance documentation (where applicable).
• Manage inventory of dental supplies and materials.

Infection Control & Safety

• Adhere to strict infection prevention protocols.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of treatment areas.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Certificate in Dental Assisting or a related field.
• Registered or licensed with the relevant regulatory body in Kenya (where applicable).
• Minimum of 1–2 years of experience in a dental clinic or healthcare setting.
• Knowledge of dental procedures, instruments, and materials.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is an added advantage.

Competencies

• Chairside assistance and clinical support.
• Dental radiography and imaging.
• Instrument sterilization and infection control.
• Appointment scheduling and clinic administration.
• Inventory management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Patient-centric mindset.