Dental Assistant Supervisor

JOB SUMMARY: To ensure quality dental care for the Tepeyac Community Health Center patient population, the Dental Assistant Supervisor provides direct supervision and day-to-day operational oversight of Dental Assistants assigned to the Dental Department. This role supports efficient patient flow, staff performance, and consistent execution of clinical workflows as communicated by the Practice Manager and in alignment with organizational policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. The Dental Assistant Supervisor serves as the first-line leader and primary point of contact for Dental Assistants, dental providers, hygienists, and support staff regarding daily workflow coordination, troubleshooting, and staff support. This position provides real-time coaching, training, and performance feedback to Dental Assistants, assists with scheduling needs including vacation requests and sick calls to ensure appropriate clinic coverage, and escalates concerns as needed. The Dental Assistant Supervisor partners closely with the Practice Manager and Dental Leadership by clearly communicating expectations, monitoring adherence to workflows and productivity expectations, infection control standards, sterilization processes, and required documentation, while reinforcing departmental standards and ensuring clinic readiness.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Education:
• High School diploma or GED required.
• Graduation from an accredited Dental Assisting program preferred.
• Current Colorado Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) certification, where applicable, required.
• Current Dental Radiography certification required.
• Current BLS/CPR certification required.

Minimum Experience:
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience working as a Dental Assistant in a community/public healthcare setting or high-volume dental practice preferred.
• Experience supporting multiple providers and specialties preferred.
• Prior experience serving in a leadership, preceptor, or supervisory role strongly preferred.
• Experience working with an electronic dental record (EDR) system required. Experience with eClinicalWorks Dental and similar systems preferred.

Language Requirements:
• Oral and written fluency in English and Spanish required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Supervision & People Management
• Increase employee motivation, retention, and engagement by providing ongoing coaching, guidance, and support to Dental Assistants within the department.
• Provide direct day-to-day supervision of Dental Assistants, including monitoring performance, professionalism, attendance, and adherence to departmental standards.
• Provide real-time feedback, corrective coaching, and recognition of strong performance to support staff development and accountability.
• Address performance, punctuality, and conduct concerns in a timely and professional manner and communicate patterns or concerns to the Practice Manager.
• Lead regular check-ins and participate in annual performance evaluations by providing written and verbal feedback to support staff growth and development.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and a positive work environment within the dental department.
• Lead team huddles and meetings in partnership with Practice Manager and Dental Leadership.


Dental Operations & Patient Flow
• Direct and monitor daily patient flow to ensure efficient processing of patients and smooth dental clinic operations.
• Develop and oversee daily Dental Assistant assignments, room coverage, provider support schedules, and break coordination to ensure appropriate clinic coverage.
• Monitor provider schedules and adjust Dental Assistant support as needed to reduce delays and maximize patient access.
• Ensure operatories are prepared and turned over efficiently between patients according to infection control standards.
• Serve as the first-level troubleshooter for workflow disruptions, staffing gaps resulting from same-day call-offs, equipment issues, and urgent patient care needs.
• Assist with schedule utilization initiatives to support productivity and patient access goals.

Clinical Quality, Compliance & Safety
• Ensure Dental Assistants adhere to clinical workflows, infection prevention standards, sterilization procedures, radiology protocols, and documentation requirements.
• Report clinical concerns or variations in clinical practice to Practice Manager and Dental Director as it is identified.
• Monitor completion and accuracy of sterilization logs, biological monitoring records, equipment maintenance logs, radiology documentation, and other required regulatory records.
• Reinforce compliance with OSHA, HIPAA, CDC infection control guidelines, Colorado Dental Board requirements, ALARA and Tepeyac policies and procedures.
• Support patient and staff safety by completing incident reports and escalating concerns as appropriate.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives related to patient experience, access, clinical quality, and operational efficiency.
• Conduct quality assurance audits of Dental Assistant workflows and documentation. Address performance trends and identify process improvement opportunities in partnership with the Practice Manager.

Training, Onboarding & Competency
• Lead onboarding and orientation for new Dental Assistants, students, and externs assigned to the department.
• Conduct competency assessments, skills validation, and ongoing coaching for new and existing staff.
• Identify training gaps and provide in-the-moment education, reinforcement of workflows, and escalation to the Practice Manager and/or the Dental Director as needed.
• Support cross-training efforts to ensure operational flexibility and continuity of care.
• Ensure staff maintain required certifications, competencies, and continuing education requirements.

Communication & Leadership
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Dental Assistants regarding workflow questions, daily operations, and clinical support needs.
• Communicate workflow updates, process changes, and departmental expectations clearly and consistently to staff.
• Partner with dentists, hygienists, and administrative staff to ensure Dental Assistant support aligns with patient care needs and departmental goals.
• Promote Tepeyac's culture of teamwork, respect, accountability, and service excellence in daily interactions.

Supplies, Equipment & Clinic Readiness
• Ensure operatories, sterilization areas, and clinical workspaces are stocked, clean, organized, and ready for patient care each day.
• Complete routine inventory and supply checks and communicate supply needs or concerns to the Clinic Operations Tech or Practice Manager.
• Support proper handling, storage, and documentation of dental materials, instruments, medications, and supplies.
• Monitor equipment functionality and coordinate service requests and preventative maintenance as needed.
• Oversee sterilization workflows to ensure instruments are processed, stored, and documented according to established protocols.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Attend required internal meetings, trainings, and leadership development sessions.
• Provide chairside assistance during periods of high patient volume or staffing shortages as needed.
• Participate in departmental and organizational quality improvement initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to listen actively, provide clear direction, and deliver feedback in a respectful and constructive manner.
• Demonstrated ability to support, coach, and guide staff in a collaborative, team-oriented clinical environment.
• Ability to lead by example, promote accountability, and maintain professionalism in a fast-paced healthcare setting.
• Strong knowledge of dental assisting practices, infection prevention, sterilization standards, radiology requirements, and dental clinic operations.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to real-time operational needs, and support efficient patient flow.
• Flexible, adaptable, and solution-oriented, with the ability to adjust to changing clinic operations and patient care demands.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with providers, supervisors, and other departments.
• Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive and equitable care, with the ability to work effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, and immigration status.
• Strong alignment with Tepeyac's mission, values, and commitment to serving underserved communities with compassion, respect, and humility.

VACCINATIONS: Tepeyac Community Health Center requires certain vaccinations for all employees as a condition of employment, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws. Proof of required vaccinations must be provided prior to starting employment. Exemptions may be granted as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.), the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (C.R.S. § 24-34-401 et seq.), and other relevant laws.

All employees of Tepeyac Community Health Center are required to be Colorado residents at time of hire and through their duration of employment.

ABOUT US: For over 30 years, Tepeyac Community Health Center has been committed to providing integrated physical and behavioral health care to individuals throughout the Denver metro area. Tepeyac is dedicated to eliminating health disparities, particularly among Latino and immigrant communities, through culturally responsive, high-quality care. As the organization continues to expand medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and community services, we remain committed to treating every patient with compassion, dignity, and respect.