Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan invites applications from qualified, experienced, and dynamic candidates for the position of Dental Assistant based at the Karachi Community Program and deployable across dental facilities within the Karachi region.

Position Summary:

The Dental Assistant (Part Time) plays a central role in enabling efficient, safe, and patient-centred service delivery at the chairside. The position supports dentists throughout clinical procedures, upholds infection prevention and sterilization standards, prepares and maintains the dental operatory and equipment, and ensures a smooth patient flow within the clinic. The role additionally carries responsibility for accurate HMIS data entry, billing records, inventory and floor stock management, and participation in community dental screening camps and outreach activities. Working under the supervision of the Dental Service Coordinator, the incumbent contributes directly to service quality, patient experience, and the operational readiness of dental facilities across the Karachi region.

Key Responsibilities:

The Dental Assistant is accountable for chairside clinical support, infection control compliance, operational upkeep of the dental facility, and accurate documentation and reporting. Key responsibilities include:

Clinical Support:

• Setting up and preparing the dental operatory before and after each patient, ensuring instruments, materials, and equipment are ready for use.
• Assisting the dentist during all clinical procedures, including restorations, extractions, endodontic treatment, prosthodontic work, and minor surgical procedures.
• Preparing patients for treatment and ensuring they are comfortable, informed, and appropriately positioned throughout the visit.
• Handling, mixing, and passing dental materials and instruments in accordance with standard chairside protocols.
• Participating in community dental screening camps, outreach activities, and awareness sessions as scheduled by the Dental Service Coordinator.

Patient Care & Communication:

• Maintaining a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment for all patients and attendants.
• Providing pre-operative and post-operative instructions to patients as directed by the treating dentist.
• Ensuring accurate and complete documentation of procedures, patient records, and consent forms.
• Following up with patients regarding post-procedure care, recall appointments, and treatment continuation where required.
• Applying safeguarding, confidentiality, and patient dignity standards consistently in all interactions.

Administrative & Operational Support:

• Managing dental inventory, including submission of quarterly item requests, tracking consumption, and restocking supplies and materials.
• Timely submission of dental floor stock records every month.
• Maintaining dental equipment in working conditions and reporting any malfunction promptly to the Dental Service Coordinator and the biomedical department.
• Scheduling patient appointments and managing patient flow within the clinic to optimize chair utilisation during assigned working hours.
• Ensuring accurate HMIS data management of consultations, procedures, and billing, and supporting the compilation of periodic dental service reports.
• Coordinating with the Dental Service Coordinator on facility-level requirements, service gaps, and day-to-day operational issues.

Infection Prevention & Control:

• Strictly adhering to all sterilization and infection prevention and control protocols in line with AKHS, P standards.
• Sterilizing and disinfecting the dental operatory, instruments, and work surfaces before and after each patient.
• Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards within the dental operatory and sterilization area and ensuring correct segregation and disposal of clinical waste.
• Maintaining sterilization logs and checklists accurately and making them available for review and audit.
• Participating in infection control training, quality improvement initiatives, and internal or external quality assessments.

Qualification, Experience & Skills Required

• Hold a Diploma in Dental Technician, Dental Assistance, or an equivalent recognised qualification in a related allied health discipline.
• Have a minimum of 1–2 years of experience in a clinical or community dental setting; experience in a multi-facility or outreach environment will be preferred.
• Demonstrate sound working knowledge of chairside assisting, sterilization procedures, and infection prevention and control practices.
• Possess proficient computer skills
• Communicate clearly and courteously with patients, families, and colleagues, and be comfortable speaking in community and public settings.
• Be well organised, punctual, and able to manage workload effectively and work under pressure.
• Be willing to work at different centers across the Karachi region and travel for outreach and screening programs.
• Be willing to work flexible hours, including beyond scheduled hours when service requirements demand.
• Demonstrate familiarity with, and sensitivity towards, underserved communities.
• Undertake any other task assigned by management in line with the scope of the position.

AKHS is committed to reducing our impact on climate and the environment and have set ourselves the goal of striving for net-zero carbon operations by 2030. All staff are expected to take part in making this a reality. The Dental Assistant, accompanied with his/her Line Manager(s) is expected to identify and understand which aspects of his/her work have most impact on the environment, and define tasks, work, and personal goals within his/her work plan to reduce these impacts and bring AKHS closer to net zero.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.