Dental Assistant

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Saskatchewan is seeking a Dental Assistant to provide clinical support within its College of Dentistry. In this role, you'll assist dental students, faculty, and staff while ensuring high-quality patient care. Your responsibilities will include managing patient interactions, supporting teaching activities, and adhering to infection control protocols, thus playing a vital role in a busy clinical environment. Applicants are required to have a Grade 12 diploma and a Registered Dental Assistant Level II license, with preference given to those with relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Completion of Grade 12 and a current Registered Dental Assistant Level II license.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in clinical dentistry as a Dental Assistant.
• Exposure to dental administration and digital imaging is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of patient care and education.
• Coordinate schedules and activities for student learning and patient care.
• Assist students and faculty during dental procedures.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organization

Time management

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Grade 12 completion

Registered Dental Assistant Level II license

Tools

Electronic Health Records

MS Office

Job description

Dental Assistant

Primary Purpose: This position provides clinical support to Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Dental Therapy (DT), Dental Hygiene (DH) and Dental Assisting (DA) students, staff, faculty, and patients within a dentistry educational setting. The position is responsible for providing continuity of patient care and ensures timely, efficient, and effective service.

Nature of Work: As a part of teaching and learning, the College of Dentistry has a strong commitment to patient and clinical experience for its DMD, DH, DT, and DA students. Reporting to the Director of Clinics, under the direction of the Assistant Dean of Clinics, the Dental Assistant works with dental students, faculty, staff, and clinic patients to support the teaching, learning, and patient care functions from a coordination, administration, and technical teaching perspective. The position provides excellent customer service to all and must have a good overall understanding of Clinic and College policies and processes to appropriately meet the needs of the faculty, students, and patients. The Dental Assistant works in both small clinical settings and in a large, high volume, multi-disciplinary student clinic with shifting priorities. Due to high volumes of work in a busy clinical environment with frequent interruptions, this position requires the ability to multi-task with speed and accuracy as patient care and clinic income are directly affected. This position has little control of the work pace as pace is driven by clinic and student activity. Discretion is required as this position is privy to and works with sensitive and confidential patient information.

Clinics include 85 operatory general purpose Education Treatment Clinic, a 6-unit Fellowship Specialty Clinic, a 5 unit Oral Surgery Unit, and a Radiology Unit. Clinical Support Services also has associated responsibilities with the Dental Therapy and Dental Assisting Program and Pre-clinical Labs for first and second year dental students). Additionally, the College has several outreach clinics which the Clinical Administration office will support.

Typical Duties:

• Directly or indirectly support the delivery of patient and clinical care
• Provides corrective and formative instructional feedback to students to support appropriate patient safety and appropriate procedural processes.
• Helps coordinate necessary schedules and activities for patient care and student learning
• Assists patients by acquainting them with policies, procedures, costs relevant to their care and helping them navigate the system as necessary
• Responds to patient inquiries and concerns in-person, via phone or email.
• Provides chairside support to students, staff and faculty in dental procedures
• Provide support for Infection Prevention and Control protocols including but not limited to: conducting patient, staff and student screenings, cleaning and disinfecting of workspace, assisting with teaching and enforcing the protocols to students, staff and faculty.
• Uses and monitors the Electronic Health Record to ensure students enter timely and accurate information and facilitating corrections as required
• Audits and reviews patient charts to monitor patient progress and ensure proper protocol is being followed by students
• Attends regular meetings to ensure delivery of patient care and student experience is consistent within the clinic
• Facilitates patient referrals for specialty services
• Assist with student orientations and demonstrations
• Sterilizes, distributes and maintains dental instruments and equipment maintaining overall asepsis in clinical areas
• Updates policies and procedure manuals as directed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
Education: Completion of Grade 12; and a current Registered Dental Assistant Level II license in Saskatchewan with knowledge of current infection control procedures is required. Ortho Training is an asset.

Within the first six months of employment in this position, the incumbent will be provided with the following training Infection Control and Safety; CPR and AED Certification; Biosafety Certificate; and WHMIS training.

Experience: 3 - 5 years’ experience in clinical dentistry, with experience as a Dental Assistant is required. Experience working with the public in a busy environment is required. Experience in dental administration and digital imaging (intra and extra-oral) would be an asset. A combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.

Skills:

• Proven effective interpersonal and mentoring skills with the ability to build an effective, positive and respectful working environment for patients, students and other staff;
• Effective organization, coordination and time management skills;
• Effective written and oral communication;
• Demonstrated ability to perform duties and responsibilities in a pleasant, positive, and professional manner
• Ability to interpret and apply departmental policies and procedures, and apply basic analytical skills to problems where clear precedent may not exist;
• Skill in organizing and executing multiple assignments under specific time constraints;
• Skill in exercising initiative, resourcefulness, and sound judgment with an ability to solve problems and make decisions;
• Keyboarding skills and proficiency with MS Office is required;
• Experience with Electronic Health Records would be an asset;
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment with a team approach to delivery of patient care;
• Ability to independently perform specialized tasks following stated procedures;
• Ability to manage and prioritize competing deadlines;
• Ability to communicate and co-operate effectively with all levels of management, staff, faculty, students and patients within and outside of the College;
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and tact;
• Ability to establish and evaluate administrative methods and procedures to negotiate resolution to scheduling and procedural problems;

Department: College of Dentistry
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: CUPE 1975
Shift: 8 hour shift (Monday to Friday), between the hours of 7:30 AM and 8:30 PM. See posting attached.
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $28.72 - 37.60 per hour. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Applied Scientific Services
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 5
Posted Date: 6/4/2025
Closing Date: 8/19/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 4
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Yes
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.