Certified Dental Assistant

About the role

Join the Marion County Public Health Department as a Certified Dental Assistant, where your work directly supports preventive and restorative dental services for the community. In this role, you’ll assist dentists and hygienists with patient care, support clinic operations, maintain safety and compliance standards, and help create a welcoming, high-quality experience for every patient.

This role offers the opportunity to work across public health dental clinics and the Smile Mobile, expanding access to care for families throughout Marion County.

What you’ll do

• Assist dentists with preventive care, operative procedures, periodontal therapy, limited endodontics, and simple oral surgery
• Support dental hygienists with periodontal charting, patient flow, operatory setup, and cleanup
• Enter and maintain accurate documentation in the electronic dental record (EDR)
• Scan and organize patient documentation into electronic health records
• Maintain inventory of dental instruments, supplies, and materials; coordinate reorders with Dental Administration
• Support clinic operations by answering phones, scheduling patients, and verifying insurance eligibility as needed
• Travel between MCPHD clinics and support the Smile Mobile when assigned
• Maintain strict compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, CDC, ADA, and Indiana dental regulations
• Participate in at least two H.O.P.E. events (8 hours annually) and assist with occasional evenings/weekends for health fairs and outreach
• Support public health emergency preparedness activities, including NIMS 100 & 700 completion

What you’ll bring

• Up to 18 months of specialized dental assisting training
• Documentation of formal Dental Assistant Training
• At least 1 year of prior dental assisting experience
• Strong knowledge of dental terminology, chairside procedures, sterilization, and patient care workflows
• Excellent customer service, communication, and teamwork skills
• Ability to remain calm and professional in fast-paced or stressful situations
• Reliable transportation to support clinic and Smile Mobile assignments

Licenses & certifications required

• Current Indiana Dental Radiograph Certification
• Expanded Functions for Dental Auxiliaries (EFDA) documentation if functioning in expanded duties
• Current CPR Certification
• Valid Indiana Driver’s License

Nice to have

• Experience in public health, school-based, pediatric, or community dental settings
• Bilingual communication skills
• Experience with mobile dental clinics or multi-site scheduling
• Familiarity with EDR systems and insurance verification workflows

Why HHC (MCPHD)

• Mission-driven work: Expand dental care access for underserved families in Marion County
• Community impact: Support clinics and the Smile Mobile serving children and adults
• Growth opportunities: Gain exposure across multiple clinic environments, outreach events, and public health initiatives
• Collaborative culture: Work closely with dentists, hygienists, and public health professionals committed to prevention and wellness

Working environment

• Clinical setting with frequent standing, walking, and chairside hand use
• May involve travel between clinics and mobile units
• Fast-paced patient care environment with direct clinical support responsibilities

EEO & Accessibility

Marion County Public Health Department celebrates diversity and seeks to employ a diverse workforce. We actively encourage all individuals to apply and provide reasonable accommodations as required by law.

Questions? hrmail@hhcorp.org

Pay: From $22.23 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person