A Day in the Life of a Dental Assistant at Acacia Dental

At Acacia Dental in Tempe, AZ, we believe in more than just fixing teeth we believe in changing lives through compassionate, patient centered care. As a Dental Assistant on our team, you’ll play a vital role in delivering clinical excellence and creating a warm, welcoming experience for every patient.

Each day, you’ll:

• Use all equipment with care, responsibility, and pride of ownership

• Continuously improve on essential tasks such as taking high-quality digital X-rays, suctioning, and patient comfort

• Support our hygienists with preventive and periodontal procedures as needed

• Participate in opening and closing responsibilities as a team to keep our space running smoothly

You’ll also:

• Assist the dentist chairside during a variety of dental procedures including exams, fillings, extractions, and root canals

• Prepare and maintain dental instruments, equipment, and treatment rooms

• Ensure instruments are properly sterilized and disinfected according to infection control protocols

• Greet and prepare patients for treatment, taking their medical histories and making them feel at ease

• Educate patients on oral hygiene, post-op care, and preventative best practices

• Maintain accurate, up to date patient records, including treatment notes and consent forms

• Help manage the front office when needed, including scheduling, calls, and payment processing

• Stay current on best practices, safety procedures, and regulatory guidelines

This Role Is for You If…

• You love working in a fast-paced, patient-focused environment

• You thrive when collaborating closely with others to solve problems

• You enjoy clear, respectful, and empathetic communication

• You love working with diverse patients who value excellent care

• You can’t live without consistency, accountability, and integrity

• You absolutely love being part of a team that truly cares for each other

• You want to learn and train to improve your assisting skills on a daily basis

• You understand the importance of treating others the way you want to be treated

• Your attention to detail is exceptional and you prefer order and organization

• You are a self-starter and take initiative every day

• You are driven by results, solutions, and making a positive impact

This Role Is Not for You If…

• You prefer working solo and dislike team environments

• You’re uncomfortable working closely with a wide variety of people every day

• You resist change and feel overwhelmed by new systems or ideas

• You treat this position as “just a job” and not a step toward a fulfilling career

• You avoid accountability and prefer others to take the lead

• You are indifferent to patient experience or quality of care

• You’re not open to feedback, growth, or new challenges

What You’ll Bring to the Team

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; completion of a dental assistant program preferred

• Previous experience as a dental assistant strongly preferred

• Proficiency in taking and processing digital dental X-rays

• Familiarity with dental procedures, instruments, and terminology

• Strong manual dexterity and attention to detail

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

• Knowledge of dental software and appointment scheduling systems (a plus)

• Understanding of infection control and safety protocols

• CPR certification preferred

If you're looking for a practice that values its people as much as its patients, where your work matters and your growth is supported every day, Acacia Dental is the place for you. Apply today we can't wait to meet you!