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Lightwave Dental
Stafford, Virginia

Dental Assistant - Periodontist

Dental AssistantFull-Time

Listed compensation

$22-$26/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 3mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

At Stafford Oral Surgery and Specialists, we pride ourselves on offering a funergetic place to work and are fanatically focused on providing excellent care.

This position is perfect for someone who is passionate about dentistry and eager to expand their skill level in all three areas of our practice: Periodontics, Oral Surgery and Endodontics. What are we about?

We are for celebrating our team by rewarding hard work through monthly bonus potential, celebrating wins and each other. We believe strongly that if you like where you work and who you work with, the rest falls into place. Our doctors are highly engaged in your success and have a passion for helping you succeed. If this appeals to you we want you to apply, because we challenge you to find better!

Position Summary

The Periodontal Assistant is responsible for supporting the periodontist in both clinical and administrative duties.

Responsibilities include preparing patients for treatment and surgical procedures, sterilizing and disinfecting instruments, setting up and maintaining instrument trays, preparing materials, and assisting during periodontal and dental procedures.

The Periodontal Assistant plays a key role in ensuring an efficient workflow while providing exceptional patient care.

To be successful in this position, candidates should be highly organized, detail-oriented, and attentive to patients' needs. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of periodontal procedures and surgical protocols, excellent hand-eye coordination, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced clinical environment.

Responsibilities

Assist the doctor with all dental procedures including but not limited to take directions from doctor, anticipate doctor’s needs, performing patient oral evaluations, take, develop and mount accurate and high-quality X-rays and 3D scans, various laboratory duties including provisional

Maintain the highest level of confidentiality according to the HIPAA guidelines. Adhere to safety guidelines/procedures to OSHA and practice standards

  • Perform administrative tasks such as appointment scheduling, charting, and filing
  • Prepare patient charts, record treatment plans, and update dental records
  • Prepare and sterilize surgical instruments, materials, and equipment in accordance with infection control and biohazard protocols
  • Assist the surgeon with all chairside procedures including operatory setup, and cleanup
  • Prepare patients for procedures
  • Provide patients with information on oral health care, treatment plans, and postoperative outcomes
  • Monitor stock of surgical supplies and medication and replenish as needed
  • Ensure instruments and equipment are effectively maintained
  • Provide excellent patient care at all times

Qualifications

Minimum 1 year of dental assisting experience required / Previous periodontal experience is preferred but not required

Dental assistant certification where required

  • Maintain annual OSHA, HIPAA, BLS and infection control training as required by law
  • Experience with relevant dental software
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Sound knowledge of how to use surgical equipment, instruments, and materials
  • Good understanding of surgical techniques, chairside responsibilities, and health and safety protocols
  • Excellent understanding of dental records, charts, and documentation
  • Great organizational and time management skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to provide excellent patient care, even under stressful circumstances
  • Consistent professionalism in appearance and attitude

Key Skills

Surgical assistanceX-ray radiography3D scanningSterilizationHIPAA complianceOSHA standards

Dental Assisting Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Virginia is 101.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$50k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $49k in an average-cost state. 61.1% of Virginia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

How does Lightwave Dental compare as an employer?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.6 / 10 · top 25% in dental assistantranked against 342 Dental Assistant listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$49k in purchasing powerVirginia index 101.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
All dental assistant listings in Virginia185 active5,932 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedVirginia healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 33% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 16% offer loan repayment185 active listings, 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. Virginia figures use all dental assistants: too few Virginia Dental Assisting postings state pay.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Dental Assistant - Periodontist at Lightwave Dental a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Dental Assistant — ranked against 342 active Dental Assistant listings on WeekdayDoc.

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 6.6
Better work-life than 80% of Dental Assistant listings

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

Lightwave Dental logo

About Lightwave Dental

Hospitals and Health Care
Woodbridge, Virginia
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Monthly bonus potential

Living in Stafford

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$444k
Typical market rent
$2,436/mo
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.9
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026).

BEA 2024 · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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