Dental Assistant, Dentistry

Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health; Canada; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare institution in Halifax is seeking a Dental Assistant to support oral health care for special needs patients. Responsibilities include preparing operating rooms, assisting during procedures, and maintaining sterilization standards. Candidates must have a recognized Dental Assistant certification, BLS certification, and experience in pediatric dentistry. This is a temporary, full-time position with a competitive hourly rate.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a recognized Dental Assistant Course with Level II certification.
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia Dental Board.
• Recent BLS certification from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

Responsibilities

• Preparing operating rooms and operatories for dental procedures.
• Assisting dentists during surgeries and patient exams.
• Maintaining dental equipment and ensuring infection control.

Skills

Pediatric Dentistry experience

BLS certification

Team collaboration

Infection control

Education

Graduate of a recognized Dental Assistant Course with Level II certification

Job description

Click here as an internal applicant.

Company: IWK Health

Req ID: #

Department/Program: Dental Clinic, Children's Surgical, Emergency and Rehabilitation

Location: Halifax

Type of Employment: Temporary, Hourly FT long-assignment (100% FTE) until August 2026, 1 position

Start Date:

Union Status: NSGEU Healthcare, Healthcare Bargaining Unit

Compensation: $30.1579 - $35.3431/hour

Closing Date: August 6, 2025 (Applications accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing care for two million children, youth, adults, and families annually across the Atlantic region. We have approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers, and learners. We focus on training, mentorship, and collaborative work in modern facilities or virtually. We are committed to promoting an anti-racist environment and providing equitable, inclusive care and employment opportunities. We acknowledge the traditional territories of the Mi’kmaq people and are dedicated to eliminating discrimination and reducing barriers faced by diverse communities.

The Opportunity

The Dental Assistant assists in a team approach to oral health care for medically compromised and special needs patients, following guidelines for registered Dental Assistants and department policies. Responsibilities include:

1. Preparing operating rooms and operatories for dental procedures.
2. Assisting dentists during surgeries and patient exams.
3. Maintaining dental equipment and ensuring infection control and sterilization standards.
4. Performing dental laboratory procedures and radiographs, including for complex patients.
5. Obtaining medical histories, especially for medically compromised and complex patients.
6. Assisting with sedation/nitrous oxide treatments.
7. Documenting assessments and patient responses accurately.
8. Providing pre and post-operative education and health promotion.
9. Participating in dental research and promoting a safe working environment.
10. Supporting receptionist duties and patient education on oral health.
11. Performing trauma-related assistance and on-call duties as assigned.
12. Managing workload and scheduling, including operative room booking and reports.
13. Travel opportunities to a second location may be available.

Your Qualifications

• Graduate of a recognized Dental Assistant Course with Level II certification.
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia Dental Board and membership with the Nova Scotia Dental Assistants Association.
• Recent BLS certification from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
• Experience in Pediatric Dentistry is required; experience with pediatric clinical practice is preferred.
• Competency in additional languages is an asset.

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health. Only selected applicants will be contacted for interviews or testing. Accommodations are available upon request during assessments. Please ensure you understand the implications of union status and employment conditions prior to acceptance. Employment offers are contingent upon background checks and credential verification. Internal applicants should apply through the internal careers page to be flagged as such.