DENTAL AIDE
Dental Aide is non-competitive, meaning the state checks your education and experience against the spec instead of ranking you on a test.
The main requirement is a valid NJ driver's license. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $34,687 to $49,504.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. We don't track live vacancies.
How to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the supervisory of officer in the State department or agency, assists and/or perform administration or operations required in a dental care program; does related work as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
Examples of work
- Act as receptionist; greets patients; seats and drapes the patient and correctly adjusts the dental chair and the dental light.
- Assists with providing and maintaining a therapeutic environment for residents and/or patients whenever in contact with them in the course of other duties.
- As an aide and under continued supervision sorts and counts clearly marked packages and containers of dental supplies materials.
- Sets up instruments and equipment for use by the Dentist.
- Prepares material for Dentist's use, including mixing materials for dental restorations at the Dentist's direction.
- Files patient record cards in an alphabetically arranged file, adding cards for new patients and withdrawing cards requested for reference.
- Delivers packaged materials to laboratories and picks up finished materials when notified to do so.
- Cleans and sterilizes dental equipment.
- Files X-ray films according to names of patients.
- Removes and replaces soiled linen and does similar tasks involved in maintaining neatness and orderliness of work areas.
- Schedules appointments and maintains files and records.
- Maintains a daily log of dental work done.
- May assist in daily dental hygiene at the patient's bedside.
- May assist in training residents and/or patients in self-help skills necessary for their own dental hygiene.
- Observes at all times the provisions of the Patients' Bill of Rights.
- May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Appointees must possess a driver's license valid in NJ.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Ability to learn and profit by means of an in-service training program.
- Ability to learn quickly from explanations, instructions and demonstrations.
- Ability to learn to arrange schedules for attendance of patients or groups of patients at clinics.
- Ability to collect and compile data covering the work of the clinic.
- Basic knowledge of the fundamental aspects of personal health and good grooming as they apply to a dental care program.
- Basic knowledge of the problems of persons who are confined to institutions, hospitals or nursing homes.
- Basic knowledge of the problems encountered in institutions, hospitals or nursing homes.
- Ability to learn to assist the professional staff in the dental clinics by performing various routine unskilled and clerical tasks.
- Ability to maintain and clean dental equipment.
- Ability to accurately file patients' records and files.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.