Location & Practice Overview

This part-time chairside role is based at the Durham office of Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry, a family dental practice providing general and restorative care in an outpatient clinic setting.

Practice Type Family dental practice
Care Setting Outpatient dental clinic with chairside operatory work
Office Address 1125 NC-54 #807, Durham, NC 27707
Work Mode Fully on-site clinical role

Responsibilities

  • Assist the dentist chairside across general and restorative procedures.
  • Take radiographs and impressions, and chart accurately.
  • Set up, break down, and turn over operatories on schedule; sterilize instruments and follow OSHA and infection-control standards.
  • Present treatment plans and explain the doctor’s recommendations in plain language so patients understand what they need and why.
  • Discuss fees, insurance estimates, and payment or financing options; schedule the patient’s next visit while they are still in the chair; confirm upcoming appointments by phone and text; fill openings and cancellations; and follow up on unscheduled treatment.
  • Coordinate the handoff with the front desk and support teammates wherever the day requires.

The position pairs traditional chairside support with direct involvement in treatment understanding, cost conversations, and same-visit scheduling so patients leave with clear next steps.

Qualifications & Requirements

Applicants need prior chairside experience and the credentials required to take radiographs in North Carolina. Comfort with treatment presentation and financial discussions is expected.

Chairside Experience
1–2+ years of chairside dental assisting experience
Radiography
Radiography certification / North Carolina state-required credentials
CPR / BLS
Current CPR/BLS, or willing to obtain it
Treatment & Schedule Skills
Experience presenting treatment plans and discussing financial arrangements; experience scheduling treatment chairside, confirming appointments, and managing a provider schedule; working knowledge of dental insurance and procedure terminology
Software (Preferred)
Experience with Denticon practice management software is a plus
Physical Ability
Able to perform the physical requirements of chairside work, with or without reasonable accommodation

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is paid hourly. The posting lists medical, dental, and vision coverage along with PTO and a 401(k) plan.

  • Compensation: $22–$28 per hour
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off (PTO)
  • 401(k)

Schedule & Work Environment

Employment Type Part-time
Available Days Tuesday and Wednesday, or Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
Work Setting In-person, hands-on clinical role
Attendance Regular, predictable, on-time attendance for the full scheduled shift is an essential function of the job

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

The Durham office provides family dental care in a private-practice outpatient setting.

Patient Group Patients receiving general and restorative dental care in a family practice
Encounter Setting Scheduled visits in a dental operatory
Care Context Outpatient clinic focused on chairside treatment and patient understanding of recommended care

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The clinical focus of this role is support for general and restorative dentistry, including diagnostic imaging and impression work that informs treatment planning.

General & Restorative Care Chairside support during general and restorative dental procedures
Diagnostic Imaging Dental radiographs as part of the diagnostic process
Impression Support Impressions used in restorative and treatment-planning workflows

Role Highlights

This position pairs standard chairside assisting with explicit responsibility for treatment explanation, cost discussions, and same-visit scheduling.

  • Combines clinical chairside work with presentation of treatment plans and discussion of fees and insurance estimates
  • Expects scheduling of the next appointment while the patient is still in the chair, plus confirmation outreach and follow-up on unscheduled treatment
  • Part-time structure limited to two or three specific weekdays rather than a full-week clinical schedule

About Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry

Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry is a multi-specialty dental organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in Cary, North Carolina. The group maintains offices across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia and offers general, cosmetic, pediatric, orthodontic, surgical, and related specialty dental services. The Durham location is listed at 1125 NC-54 #807.

Organization Type Multi-specialty dental group
Founded 2000
Headquarters Cary, North Carolina
Service Area Locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia
Durham Location 1125 NC-54 #807, Durham, NC 27707

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the hiring process include?
The process includes a phone screen followed by an in-office working interview. Prior employers are contacted for references, including questions about attendance, dependability, and teamwork. Applicants should be ready to provide at least two supervisor references. Offers are contingent on satisfactory reference and background checks. New team members complete a 90-day introductory period.
Is this role fully on-site?
Yes. It is described as a hands-on, in-person role. Team members are expected to stay engaged with the patient in the chair and remain off their phone during patient care.
What physical demands are listed for chairside work?
Essential requirements include sitting or standing for extended periods (often four or more hours), repeated bending, leaning, twisting, and reaching, fine motor control with both hands, clear close-range vision, hearing and responding while wearing a mask, clear speech, lifting up to 25 pounds, moving between operatories and sterilization, wearing required protective equipment for the full shift, and working with exposure to blood, saliva, radiation, disinfectants, and dental materials under safety protocols. These must be met with or without reasonable accommodation.
Are professional appearance standards specified?
Yes. Because work occurs close to patients, the posting states a high standard for personal hygiene, grooming, and clean scrubs every shift, including avoiding strong odors and fragrances.
Does the role require discussing treatment cost with patients?
Yes. Candidates are expected to be comfortable talking about cost clearly and confidently, presenting treatment plans, and discussing fees, insurance estimates, and payment or financing options without pressure.

What to Know About This Part-Time Dental Assistant Role

This Durham dental assistant opportunity combines direct clinical support with a patient-centered approach to outpatient dental care. The position may appeal to professionals who prefer a smaller weekly commitment but still want an active role in the patient experience. Its distinctive feature is the connection between care delivered during the appointment and the practical steps that follow, including patient understanding and continuity of visits. Candidates should consider whether they enjoy a fast-moving dental office where clinical precision, clear communication, and coordination contribute equally to a well-organized patient visit.

Preparing Your Application for This Durham Position

A strong application should make your practical dental assisting experience easy to assess. Describe the types of procedures you have supported, your involvement in radiography and instrument sterilization, and the systems you have used to maintain accurate patient records. Include concrete examples of coordinating with dentists and front-office colleagues during busy clinic sessions. If you have experience discussing treatment plans or arranging follow-up visits, explain your contribution clearly. State your total years of chairside experience and identify your current North Carolina credentials and CPR/BLS status accurately.

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