Description

Licensed Dental Assistant – Assisted Hygiene

Dental Associates of Minnesota | Savage, MN
Full-Time | $30.00–$35.00 per hour

A Different Kind of Dental Assisting Opportunity!

Are you a Licensed Dental Assistant who enjoys patient interaction, preventive dentistry, and being an essential part of a collaborative clinical team? At Dental Associates of Minnesota, we're looking for a motivated, organized, and patient-focused Licensed Dental Assistant to join our Savage team in a dedicated Assisted Hygiene role.

Unlike a traditional dental assisting position, this opportunity is focused entirely on supporting our dental hygiene department rather than providing routine chairside assistance to dentists. You'll work closely with a licensed dental hygienist in a two-operatory assisted hygiene model, taking an active role in patient preparation, preventive services, patient education, and appointment completion.

This is an excellent opportunity for an LDA who enjoys clinical independence within their scope of practice, building relationships with patients, and maintaining an efficient, team-based workflow.

Schedule & Compensation

• Position: Full-Time
• Location: Savage, MN
• Compensation: $30.00–$35.00 per hour, based on experience and qualifications
• Clinical Focus: Dedicated Assisted Hygiene

What Makes This Role Different?

Our assisted hygiene model is designed to allow dental hygienists and licensed dental assistants to work together at the highest level of their training and credentials.

You'll partner with a dental hygienist to manage patient flow across two treatment rooms, sharing responsibilities throughout each appointment to create a smooth, comfortable, and efficient experience.

Our approach follows a coordinated workflow:

• Patient Preparation: You welcome and prepare the patient, review health history, obtain necessary radiographs, and gather information for the hygienist.
• Hygienist Clinical Care: The hygienist performs periodontal assessments, scaling, and other hygiene-specific procedures while you assist with charting as needed and transition between operatories.
• Appointment Completion: You return to provide permitted preventive services, reinforce patient education, assist with follow-up scheduling, and prepare the operatory for the next patient.

This model allows you to take ownership of meaningful clinical responsibilities while working in close partnership with your hygienist.

Our goal is not simply to see more patients. It's to provide exceptional care through teamwork, communication, and an organized clinical workflow.

What You'll Do

Patient Care & Preparation

• Welcome, seat, and prepare patients for hygiene appointments.
• Review and update medical and dental histories.
• Document patient concerns, chief complaints, and oral hygiene habits.
• Obtain and record blood pressure and other relevant patient information.
• Take digital radiographs as needed and permitted within your licensure.
• Prepare instruments, materials, and equipment for hygiene procedures.
• Communicate important patient information and clinical concerns to the hygienist.

Assisted Hygiene & Preventive Care

• Work alongside a licensed dental hygienist in a two-operatory assisted hygiene model.
• Assist with periodontal charting and clinical documentation as needed.
• Perform coronal polishing and apply fluoride when permitted under Minnesota regulations and applicable supervision requirements.
• Reinforce oral hygiene instructions and recommendations provided by the hygienist.
• Help patients understand recommended follow-up appointments and preventive care.
• Support coordination of doctor examinations during hygiene visits.
• Maintain a welcoming, comfortable, and positive patient experience throughout each appointment.

Patient Flow & Clinical Operations

• Coordinate patient transitions between two hygiene operatories.
• Maintain efficient room setup, turnover, and instrument availability.
• Anticipate the hygienist's needs and proactively prepare for upcoming appointments.
• Communicate clearly with the hygienist, doctors, and patient care coordinators.
• Assist patients with scheduling their next hygiene visit or recommended treatment.
• Maintain accurate and timely electronic patient documentation.
• Follow OSHA, CDC, HIPAA, and established infection control standards.
• Help maintain an organized, efficient, and collaborative hygiene department.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an LDA who enjoys taking initiative, thrives in a busy clinical environment, and values the important role preventive care plays in long-term patient health. 

Our ideal candidate:

• Enjoys working closely with dental hygienists and supporting preventive patient care.
• Is confident performing clinical duties independently within their licensed scope of practice.
• Has strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Can comfortably transition between patients and treatment rooms throughout the day.
• Anticipates clinical needs and takes initiative without needing constant direction.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with patients and team members.
• Is comfortable educating patients and reinforcing treatment recommendations.
• Remains adaptable and positive when patient needs or schedules change.
• Takes pride in delivering compassionate, high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

Required

• Current Minnesota Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) credential.
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Knowledge of OSHA and CDC infection control standards.
• Strong communication, organization, and patient care skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented clinical environment.

Preferred

• Previous experience as a Licensed Dental Assistant.
• Experience working alongside dental hygienists or in an assisted hygiene model.
• Confidence with coronal polishing, fluoride application, and digital radiography.
• Experience with periodontal charting and preventive patient education.
• Familiarity with dental practice management software, particularly Open Dental.
• Strong understanding of hygiene appointment workflows and clinical documentation.

Previous assisted hygiene experience is a plus but is not required. We are happy to train an experienced, motivated LDA on our specific assisted hygiene workflow. 

Why Join Dental Associates of Minnesota?

We believe exceptional patient care starts with a team that feels supported, valued, and empowered to do their best work.            We offer:

• Competitive hourly compensation
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Continuing education and professional development opportunities
• Modern dental technology and equipment
• Opportunities for career growth within a growing organization
• A collaborative, supportive team environment
• The opportunity to develop specialized experience in an assisted hygiene model

Ready to Join Our Hygiene Team?

If you're a Licensed Dental Assistant who enjoys preventive dentistry, meaningful patient interaction, and working as part of a coordinated clinical team, we'd love to meet you! 

 Join us in Savage and be part of a dental hygiene team where your skills, initiative, and commitment to patient care truly make a difference. Apply today to learn more about this unique Licensed Dental Assistant opportunity!

All clinical responsibilities will be performed in accordance with Minnesota Board of Dentistry regulations, applicable supervision requirements, and the individual's authorized scope of practice. 

Job Type: Full-Time Pay: $30.00–$35.00 per hour Work Location: In person — Savage, MN