DENTAL ASSISTANT 1 or 2

LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Dental/vision/health insurance

14 paid holidays per year

Wellness benefits

Job summary

LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans seeks a Dental Assistant 1 or 2 in the LSUNO Oral Surgery department. Under supervision, you will assist an Oral Surgeon, residents, or dental students during procedures, prepare patients, record medical histories, and monitor vitals while ensuring patient comfort.

You will handle instruments, take radiographs, and give post-operative instructions, maintaining high infection control standards.

Qualifications

• Education listed as Other; no specific degree required beyond that designation.
• Experience not required for Dental Assistant 1; Dental Assistant 2 may require up to 1 year of dental assistant or dental hygiene training.

Responsibilities

• Assist oral surgeons, residents, and dental students during procedures.
• Seat and prepare patients, record medical history, and monitor vitals.
• Set up, pass instruments, take radiographs, and provide post-operative instructions.
• Maintain infection control and clean/disinfect treatment areas after procedures.
• Chart patients in LSUSD systems and ensure patient comfort and safety.

Education

Other

Job description

Opening Date: 10-01-2026

Closing Date: 10-14-2026

Title: DENTAL ASSISTANT 1 or 2

Employee Type: Staff- Classified

Department: LSUNO Oral Surgery

Job Summary/Basic Functions

Under general supervision of the Dental Program Coordinator. This position will provide assistance to a Oral Surgeon, resident, or dental student during procedures which includes seating and preparing patients for treatment, recording of medical history, measuring pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and ensure patient comfort, assurance and support. Assist in the care of handling of patients during dental treatment which involves setting up, missing, and passing of surgical instruments and materials, taking radiographs, patient education and giving post-operative instructions, cleaning and disinfecting treatment areas after procedures. The importance of this position is that the incumbent interacts with faculty, residents, students, and patients on both skillful and professional levels providing a necessary service of dental assistance.

Other Information About the Position

LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Surgery, is seeking three motivated applicants for the position of Dental Assistant 1 or 2

• Assist oral surgeons and dental students with chair-side treatment of patients.
• Maintain and stock cabinet
• Instruct and evaluate students in proper four-handed dentistry techniques
• Chart patients according to LSUSD systems (Axium/WinOMS Computer knowledge)
• Give follow-up home instructions as directed by the surgeon, resident, or student
• Implement and maintain infection control in the work area.
• Check inventory and order supplies when needed.
• Implement and follow safety guidelines as set forth by LSUHSC School of
  Dentistry and OSHA.
• Know dental and surgical terminology.
• Know the correct nomenclature of all dental and surgical instruments.
• Knowledgeable of computers.

Required Education: Other

Number of years required to perform the job: 0

Type of experience required to perform the job: no experience for DA1, For DA 2, one year experience or training as a dental assistant or dental hygienist.

Special Instructions Summary

Please list all relevant work experience including month & year of start and end date and weekly hours worked for each position listed. Only work experience listed in this application will be used in determining qualifications and compensation. Experience not listed may disqualify you from the position and/or reduce your rate of pay.

Additional Information About This Position

Appointment Type: Classified Appointment

Career Progression: This position is part of the career progression group may be filled as a Dental Assistant 1 or 2.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; work hours will be determined by the department

Work Location: 1100 Florida Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119

Compensation:

There is a Special Entrance Rate (SER) of

• $15.05 per hour for Dental Assistant 2 title
• $14.06 for Dental Assistant 1 title

Additional compensation

• $1.00 Longevity Pay for hours worked only.
• $2.25 per hour worked available for candidates that hold a current DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) certification.
• $1.50 for EDDA certification (Expanded Dental Duty Dental Assistant).

• This is a Civil Service Position.
• Pre-employment Drug testing and Criminal Background check are required.
• To view the Civil Service Job Specifications, follow this link and enter the position title. Louisiana Department of State Civil Service: Job Information and Test Finder
• This position will require selected applicant to be in a probationary status for at least 6 months.

Additional Information About Our School/Department

Comprehensive benefits are available to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; generous annual and sick leave; 14 paid holidays per year; and an employee health primary care clinic. See following link for more details on our benefits offerings: LSUHSC, New Orleans – Benefits

Other employee benefits include a full-service credit union, wellness benefits featuring complimentary fitness center membership for employees and their spouses, employee assistance program, campus assistance program, and pet insurance option. More information about these benefits can be found on this webpage: Additional Benefits

For further information about this vacancy contact:
Ora Jones
LSU Health Sciences Center
HR Management Department
504.568.7378