Research Dental Assistant

The ADA Forsyth Institute was founded in 1910 as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children (later, the Forsyth Institute), to provide dental care to the disadvantaged children of Boston. While continuing to serve children in need, yet recognizing the ultimate goal is to prevent dental disease, the Institute in 1915 began to focus on scientific research and is today the world’s leader in oral health research. In October of 2023, the Institute joined with the American Dental Association to form the ADA Forsyth Institute, a 501(c)(3) entity dedicated to improving people’s oral and overall health and powering the profession of dentistry through cutting-edge basic research, creative translational science, innovative clinical technologies, and global public health outreach. Consistent with the Institute’s founding mission, the ADA ForsythKids mobile dental program continues to serve children in need.

The ADA Forsyth Institute (AFI) is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Research Dental Assistant to join our Center for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR). This is a unique opportunity for a dental assistant interested in expanding their experience beyond traditional clinical dentistry and contributing to innovative oral health research.

Working alongside study dentists, dental hygienists, researchers, and other members of the clinical research team, the Dental Assistant – Research will provide chairside support for clinical research studies while helping ensure study procedures and documentation are completed accurately and in accordance with research protocols. The ideal candidate is an experienced dental assistant who is organized, comfortable working with detailed protocols and documentation, and committed to providing a positive experience for research participants.

What You'll Do

• Assist study dentists and dental hygienists during research screenings, study visits, and dental procedures.
• Prepare participants for study visits, including greeting and seating participants, taking vital signs, and collecting study-related information as required.
• Follow study protocols and complete required protocol-specific training.
• Collect and enter chairside research data using paper case report forms and electronic data systems.
• Assist with the collection, labeling, processing, and storage of research specimens in accordance with study protocols.
• Ensure dental and research records are available, accurate, and appropriately maintained for study visits.
• Prepare operatories and research stations with appropriate barriers, materials, and sterilized instruments.
• Clean, package, sterilize, and maintain dental and research instruments and equipment in accordance with established infection-control procedures.
• Prepare radiograph equipment and sensors and assist with required dental X-rays.
• Maintain appropriate inventories of dental and research supplies and assist with ordering and organization.
• Respond to and follow up on study-related communications and work collaboratively with the clinical research team.
• Maintain required training documentation and complete ongoing research and compliance training.
• Perform other related clinical and research responsibilities as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Completion of an accredited dental assisting program.
• Current Massachusetts Dental Assistant license required.
• Dental radiology certification required.
• Current CPR certification.
• Minimum of three years of dental assisting experience.
• Strong chairside assisting and infection-control skills.
• Knowledge of dental instruments, materials, and procedures used in general dentistry.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to consistently follow written research protocols and procedures.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with patients and research participants with professionalism, empathy, and respect.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable using computers and standard Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous clinical research experience.
• Experience or training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• Experience with dental practice management software.
• Experience in periodontics, prosthodontics, or oral surgery.
• Experience collecting or processing clinical research specimens.

Clinical research and Good Clinical Practice training will be required for this position. CITI training is also required and may be completed as part of the onboarding process.

ADA Forsyth Institute is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.