Dental Assistant

State of Oklahoma; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 42,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Oklahoma's Department of Corrections is seeking a Dental Assistant at the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center. This full‑time, on‑site role assists dentists, sterilizes instruments, and prepares patients for treatment.

Levels I and II offer non‑negotiable salaries of $41,600 to $45,760, with duties spanning instrument handling, record keeping, and dental education for patients and groups.

Qualifications

• Completion of a junior college or technical school program in dental assisting, or nine months of experience as a dental assistant or educator.
• Level II requires two years of dental assisting experience or equivalent education.

Responsibilities

• Cleans and sterilizes dental instruments and arranges instruments in cabinets.
• Prepares patients for treatment; prepares trays of instruments and supplies.
• Assists the dentist in instrumentation, operation of equipment, management of patients and maintenance of records.
• Takes digital x-rays and performs routine dental laboratory work.

Skills

Sterilization

Digital x‑rays

Oral anatomy

Clerical procedures

Dental hygiene explanation

Education

Dental assisting program

Tools

Digital x‑ray equipment

Sterilization equipment

Job description

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Job Posting Title

Dental Assistant

Agency

131 DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Supervisory Organization

DOC Med Adm/JDCC

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

Level I - $41,600.00 - this salary is non-negotiable.

Level II - $45,760.00 - this salary is non-negotiable.

Job Description

Location

Medical/Lexington Assessment and Reception Center

Basic Purpose

Positions within this job family are assigned duties and responsibilities which involve providing assistance to dentists in the examination and treatment of patients or conducting dental health care education and prevention programs.

Typical Functions

• Cleans and sterilizes dental instruments and arranges instruments in cabinets.
• Prepares patients for treatment; prepares trays of instruments and supplies.
• Assists the dentist in instrumentation, operation of equipment, management of patients and maintenance of records recording dental examinations, conditions found, treatment rendered and appointments; maintains the proper working order of the dental clinic and equipment; takes digital x-rays; and performs routine dental laboratory work.
• Makes dental inspections; demonstrates, with models and other visual aids, preventive dental care to individuals and groups; participates in in-service training programs; prepares and delivers lectures on dental health before groups of school, civic and professional personnel.

Level Descriptor

Level I

This is the basic level where employees are assigned responsibilities for performing beginning level work, under close supervision, in a training status to build their skills in assisting in the care and treatment of patients and in providing instruction in preventive health care.

Level II

This is the career level where employees are assigned responsibilities at the full performance level, performing duties at all levels of complexity and may provide training or guidance to others in completing various dental care activities, including instructing parents, teachers, and children in the prevention and control of dental disease.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And Competencies

Level I

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required at this level include knowledge of standard dental procedures, terms, instruments, supplies, and equipment; of sterilization and sterile equipment; of digital x-rays; of oral anatomy; of standards of oral hygiene; and of clerical procedures.

Ability is required to explain simple dental hygiene techniques.

Level II

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of standard dental procedures, terms, instruments, supplies, and equipment; of sterilization and sterile equipment; of digital x-rays; of oral anatomy; of standards of oral hygiene; of clerical procedures; of methods and procedures used in preventing dental disease; of methods and necessity for cleanliness of a dental operatory; of Oklahoma dental laws and regulations; and of instructional techniques.

Ability is required to explain simple dental hygiene techniques; and to arrange and operate visual aids.

Education And Experience

Level I

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of completion of a junior college or technical school program in dental assisting or nine months of experience as a dental assistant or educator.

Level II

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of completion of a junior college or technical school program in dental assisting and two years of experience as a dental assistant; or one year of college or technical training in areas such as dentistry, biology, medicine, education, nursing or nutrition and two years as a dental assistant; or three years of experience as a dental assistant or educator.

Special Requirements

The Department of Corrections has determined that some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by63 O.S.

• 427.8.

The Department of Corrections requires a current Oklahoma Dental Assistant and/or Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant permit as defined by 59 O.S.

• 328.24.

This is an on-site position and is not eligible for remote work.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.