Physical & Environmental Duties in Clinical and Assisting Roles
Physical & Environmental Duties in Clinical and Assisting Roles - Version 2026.04.30
At Toothie, we aim to be clear and fair about what each role involves before anyone applies or accepts an offer.
The Dental Assistant role at Toothie Dental is an active, patient-facing clinical role. It is not a desk-based or mostly seated position.
We explain the physical and environmental nature of this role early so that applicants can make an informed decision before applying, and so that expectations are clear on both sides.
This role involves, on a regular basis:
• Standing and moving during clinic sessions
• Assisting the dentist chairside during treatment
• Supporting patient safety and acting as part of the clinical team
• Working in a treatment room environment
• Using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, and gowns
• Following infection-control procedures
• Handling instruments, materials, and cleaning processes
You may also:
• Work in positions that require bending, reaching, or moving around equipment
• Use your hands repeatedly for clinical and support tasks
• Work in an environment with dental equipment sounds (such as suction and handpieces)
• Occasionally carry light to moderate items within safe limits
These are essential parts of the role and cannot be removed without changing the nature of the job.
These requirements are not personal preferences. They are connected to the actual duties of the role, including chairside assistance, treatment-room support, infection-control work, room turnover, and safe patient care.
In a small clinic environment, roles are more specialised and there are limited alternative positions or adjustments that can significantly change the physical nature of this role.
For this reason, it is important to ensure that the role is a realistic and sustainable fit before employment begins.
For this reason, it is important that the role is a realistic and safe fit for the person applying, just as much as it is important for the clinic to provide a safe working environment.
Certain situations may require additional consideration in a clinical environment, for example:
• tasks that involve standing or moving for extended periods
• working around sharp instruments or equipment
• responding quickly to instructions during treatment
• working in a space where balance, coordination, and awareness are important
If someone experiences frequent issues such as dizziness, difficulty maintaining balance, or physical limitations that affect movement or stamina, it may affect how safely and comfortably they can perform the role.
We do not require applicants to disclose detailed medical information publicly. However, shortlisted candidates may be asked to confirm whether the role is suitable for them before an offer is made.
Toothie does not exclude applicants based on unrelated personal characteristics.
Any requirement described here is based on the actual duties and working environment of the role.
We share this information early so that applicants are not placed in a situation where the role becomes unsuitable or difficult after joining.
Our intention is to be fair to both the applicant and the clinic by ensuring that expectations are clear from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are physical requirements explained so clearly?
Because this is a clinical role, physical activity, movement, and environmental exposure are part of daily work.We explain this early so that applicants can decide whether the role suits them before investing time in the process.
2. Are you rejecting people based on medical conditions?
No. Toothie does not assess applicants based on medical labels or unrelated personal characteristics.
However, this role has essential physical and environmental duties. We need to ensure that the person appointed can perform those duties safely and consistently, with reasonable support where possible.
3. Can the role be adjusted to suit different physical needs?
In larger organisations, some roles may be adjusted or reassigned.
As a small clinic, our roles are more specialised, and there are limited alternative positions or ways to significantly change the core duties of this role.
This is why it is important to ensure a good fit before employment begins.
4. Why not only check this after hiring?
Checking only after hiring can create difficulties for both the employee and the clinic.
We prefer to communicate clearly from the beginning so that applicants can make informed decisions and avoid situations where the role becomes unsuitable after joining.
5. Do I need to disclose detailed medical information?
No.
At the application stage, we only ask for general confirmation of suitability.
Detailed or sensitive information is not required unless necessary and will be handled confidentially at a later stage.
At Toothie, we aim to be clear and fair about what each role involves before anyone applies or accepts an offer.
The Dental Assistant role at Toothie Dental is an active, patient-facing clinical role. It is not a desk-based or mostly seated position.
We explain the physical and environmental nature of this role early so that applicants can make an informed decision before applying, and so that expectations are clear on both sides.
This role involves, on a regular basis:
• Standing and moving during clinic sessions
• Assisting the dentist chairside during treatment
• Supporting patient safety and acting as part of the clinical team
• Working in a treatment room environment
• Using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, and gowns
• Following infection-control procedures
• Handling instruments, materials, and cleaning processes
You may also:
• Work in positions that require bending, reaching, or moving around equipment
• Use your hands repeatedly for clinical and support tasks
• Work in an environment with dental equipment sounds (such as suction and handpieces)
• Occasionally carry light to moderate items within safe limits
These are essential parts of the role and cannot be removed without changing the nature of the job.
These requirements are not personal preferences. They are connected to the actual duties of the role, including chairside assistance, treatment-room support, infection-control work, room turnover, and safe patient care.
In a small clinic environment, roles are more specialised and there are limited alternative positions or adjustments that can significantly change the physical nature of this role.
For this reason, it is important to ensure that the role is a realistic and sustainable fit before employment begins.
For this reason, it is important that the role is a realistic and safe fit for the person applying, just as much as it is important for the clinic to provide a safe working environment.
Certain situations may require additional consideration in a clinical environment, for example:
• tasks that involve standing or moving for extended periods
• working around sharp instruments or equipment
• responding quickly to instructions during treatment
• working in a space where balance, coordination, and awareness are important
If someone experiences frequent issues such as dizziness, difficulty maintaining balance, or physical limitations that affect movement or stamina, it may affect how safely and comfortably they can perform the role.
We do not require applicants to disclose detailed medical information publicly. However, shortlisted candidates may be asked to confirm whether the role is suitable for them before an offer is made.
Toothie does not exclude applicants based on unrelated personal characteristics.
Any requirement described here is based on the actual duties and working environment of the role.
We share this information early so that applicants are not placed in a situation where the role becomes unsuitable or difficult after joining.
Our intention is to be fair to both the applicant and the clinic by ensuring that expectations are clear from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are physical requirements explained so clearly?
Because this is a clinical role, physical activity, movement, and environmental exposure are part of daily work.We explain this early so that applicants can decide whether the role suits them before investing time in the process.
2. Are you rejecting people based on medical conditions?
No. Toothie does not assess applicants based on medical labels or unrelated personal characteristics.
However, this role has essential physical and environmental duties. We need to ensure that the person appointed can perform those duties safely and consistently, with reasonable support where possible.
3. Can the role be adjusted to suit different physical needs?
In larger organisations, some roles may be adjusted or reassigned.
As a small clinic, our roles are more specialised, and there are limited alternative positions or ways to significantly change the core duties of this role.
This is why it is important to ensure a good fit before employment begins.
4. Why not only check this after hiring?
Checking only after hiring can create difficulties for both the employee and the clinic.
We prefer to communicate clearly from the beginning so that applicants can make informed decisions and avoid situations where the role becomes unsuitable after joining.
5. Do I need to disclose detailed medical information?
No.
At the application stage, we only ask for general confirmation of suitability.
Detailed or sensitive information is not required unless necessary and will be handled confidentially at a later stage.
