Dental / Hygiene Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

At Tend, our Dental Assistants and Hygiene Assistants play a vital role in delivering a seamless, patient-first experience in a modern, thoughtfully designed dental studio.

You'll support clinical care at the chairside—whether assisting dentists across a wide range of procedures or partnering with hygienists in our assisted hygiene model. From preparing treatment rooms and maintaining sterilization protocols to ensuring patients feel comfortable, informed, and cared for, you'll help keep the flow of the studio running smoothly while delivering an exceptional care experience.

Our model is built for driven assistants at all stages of their careers—those who want to grow clinically, collaborate with an energized team, and be part of a supportive, growth-minded culture that's raising the bar for dentistry.

What You'll Do

Clinical Support & Patient Experience (All Assistants)

• Deliver outstanding chairside support to dentists and/or hygienists across a variety of procedures
• Ensure patients feel comfortable, informed, and cared for throughout their visit
• Anticipate provider and team needs to maintain efficient studio flow
• Collaborate with teammates to deliver a seamless, high-quality patient experience

Operatory & Clinical Excellence (All Assistants)

• Prepare and maintain treatment rooms, instruments, and equipment in compliance with OSHA and CDC standards
• Manage sterilization workflows and maintain a safe, clean clinical environment
• Take dental radiographs and support accurate, complete patient records (as permitted by role and experience)

Supporting Dentists (Dental Assistant Focus)

• Provide chairside support across a full range of general and specialty procedures
• Partner closely with dentists to support clinical excellence and productivity
• Contribute to studio performance goals through efficiency, preparedness, and teamwork

Supporting Hygienists (Hygiene Assistant Focus)

• Support hygienists within our Team Hygiene model, helping deliver efficient, high-quality care
• Prepare and reset rooms between hygiene visits to maintain schedule flow
• Assist chairside during hygiene appointments and build clinical confidence
• Participate in training and development to continue growing clinical skills

Who You Are

You embody our Tend values and demonstrate key competencies that ensure both patient success and team excellence. At Tend, these values aren't just words on a wall — they are essential to how we hire, lead, and collaborate. Every Dental Assistant is expected to show up with a mindset grounded in our mission, vision, and values. This is what drives our culture, our clinical standards, and the patient experience we're proud to deliver every day.

Tend Values:

• Tend to Others – Deliver outstanding patient care and seamless chairside support. You put the patient and your team first, anticipating needs in fast-paced settings.
• Be Brave Enough to Lead – Act with integrity and take initiative to solve problems, uphold safety standards, and raise the bar for studio excellence.
• Savor the Ride – Celebrate wins, stay resilient in busy or challenging moments, and bring positivity to the workplace.
• Embrace Our Differences – Welcome and value diverse backgrounds, ideas, and feedback. Communicate with empathy, respect, and trust.
• Rooted in Growth – Seek ongoing learning and skill development—for yourself and for the strength of your team.

Role-Based Competencies:

• Adapt in the Moment – Stay flexible and positive when schedules shift, patients need extra reassurance, or priorities change unexpectedly.
• Contribute to Team Success – Work seamlessly with dentists, hygienists, and teammates, sharing knowledge and supporting others to meet shared goals.
• Communicate with Clarity – Listen actively, explain information clearly, and adapt your style to meet the needs of patients and teammates.

What You Have

• All state-required certifications, registrations, or licenses for dental assistants
• Current CPR/BLS certification
• Demonstrated chairside knowledge and patient care skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities
• Adaptability to new technologies and workflows in a modern studio environment
• Excitement about contributing to a collaborative, high-performing team
• Ability to work a full-time schedule (32–40 hours per week including some Saturdays) or part-time schedule (2–3 days per week including some Saturdays)

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform the essential job duties listed, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods while assisting with dental procedures
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills to handle dental instruments precisely
• Adequate vision (with or without correction) to read charts, interpret radiographs, and operate clinical equipment
• Ability to bend, reach, and maintain ergonomic positioning for patient care
• Occasional lifting or movement of equipment and supplies up to 25 pounds
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, team members, and other healthcare professionals in person and via technology

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

What We Offer

We believe taking care of people starts with taking care of our own. Here's how we've got you covered at Tend: