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Smilist
Albany, New York

Dental Assistant (Oral Surgery)

Dental AssistantNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$22-$28/hr

The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 52m ago · Verified live

Job Description

At The Smilist, we are committed to providing high-quality dental care in a warm, welcoming, and professional environment. Our team is passionate about creating positive patient experiences and making lives better, one smile at a time. We are looking for a reliable, friendly, and motivated Dental Assistant to join our growing team and support our commitment to exceptional patient care.

  • Take a Glance at the Role!
  • Location: Albany, Clifton Park, and East Greenbush, NY
  • Schedule: Full Time; Monday-Friday
  • Pay Range: $22.00-$28.00 per hour
  • Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, plus opportunities for professional growth

What You’ll Do

Help patients feel comfortable and confident throughout their dental visits by addressing their individual concerns and reinforcing trust in their doctor or hygienist.

Prepare patients for treatment and assist doctors and hygienists during dental procedures to ensure efficient, high-quality care.

  • Maintain a clean, organized, and sterile clinical environment that promotes patient safety and comfort.
  • Escort patients to and from the front desk and help ensure a smooth, positive patient experience.
  • Prepare and organize instrument trays and treatment rooms for scheduled procedures.
  • Monitor operatory supplies, maintain adequate inventory, and assist with ordering and restocking as needed.
  • Follow established infection control, sterilization, and office safety protocols.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

Proven experience as a Dental Assistant

Prior Experience in Oral Surgery

  • Knowledge of dental instruments, equipment, procedures, and infection control protocols.
  • Dentrix experience preferred, but not required.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a patient-focused approach
  • Ability to work collaboratively with doctors and other team members in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Positive attitude, dependability, and a willingness to learn and grow professionally.

What We Offer

  • Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications.
  • Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, and more.
  • Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.
  • A supportive, team-orientated work environment.

If you are passionate about patient care, enjoy working as part of a collaborative dental team, and are looking for an opportunity to grow your career, we encourage you to apply and join The Smilist team.

Key Responsibilities

The Dental Assistant will prepare patients for treatment and assist doctors during oral surgery procedures to ensure high-quality care. They are also responsible for maintaining a sterile clinical environment and managing inventory for treatment rooms.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Oral surgery assistanceSterilization protocolsCommunication skillsClinical environment maintenanceInventory management

Surgery Career Context

The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$52k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $48k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

What does the Dental Assistant market look like in New York?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score3.9 / 10 · above average in dental assistantranked against 342 Dental Assistant listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$46k–$58kDental Assistant median $56k (middle half $47k–$63k)19 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$48k in purchasing powerNew York index 107.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Dental Assistant listings in New York276 active5,724 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedNew York healthcare professional listings: 28% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 6% offer loan repayment276 active listings, Nov 2026
New Surgery listings741 in the last 30 days497 the 30 days before (+49%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (342 Dental Assistant listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Surgery Jobs

3 matches · ranked by pay
#1

Oral Surgery - Licensed Dental Assistant

OMS Specialists · New Brighton, Minnesota

$25-$32/hr
#2

Dental Assistant - Oral Surgery

Smile Brands · Burleson, Texas

$24-$28/hr
#3

Traveling Oral Surgery Dental Assistant

$22-$25/hr
+ 1 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 3.9
Better work-life than 60% of Dental Assistant listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 342 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
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About Smilist

Health, Wellness & Fitness
Great Neck, NY
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Professional Development
Continuing Education

Living in Albany

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$328k
Typical market rent
$1,664/mo
Residents’ average commute
20 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
99.6
State income tax
Up to 10.9%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.