DENTAL ASSISTANT 3 - 09012026-80526

Tennessee Department of Health; Jackson (TN); On-site; USD 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Tennessee Department of Health in Jackson, TN seeks a Dental Assistant with Radiology, Coronal Polishing, Nitrous Oxide, and Sealant certifications. Under dentist supervision, you will perform radiographs, polishing, nitrous oxide monitoring, and sealant applications at the West Tennessee Regional Office.

The position requires four-handed chair side assistance, patient prep, and adherence to infection control standards. A valid TN dental license and clinical certifications are mandatory.

Qualifications

• Current registration as a dental assistant in Tennessee with Dental Radiology Certification
• Coronal Polishing Certification, Nitrous Oxide Certification, and Sealant Application Certification
• Valid Driver's License

Responsibilities

• Prepares patients and operatories for dental procedures; four handed chair side assisting; post-treatment care and education.
• Performs coronal polishing and sealant placement; monitors nitrous oxide levels for patient safety.
• Schedules appointments, answers calls, and maintains daily schedule.
• Reviews medical history; records dental conditions and treatments; maintains charts and reports; manages inventory.
• Exposes and prepares radiographs; ensures infection control and safety guidelines.
• Guides dental students in learning proper use of equipment as necessary.
• Ensures compliance with guidelines; inspects materials for expiration; maintains current license and certifications.

Skills

Active Learning and Listening

Service Orientation

Judgment and Decision Making

Speaking

Operation and Control

Education

Dental Assistant Registration (TN)

Tools

All Office Equipment

Sterilization Equipment (Autoclave)

Dental Instrumentation

Dental Hand Pieces & Accessories

Standard Dental Equipment

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 09/01/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Job Information

Opening Date/Time 09/01/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 09/14/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $2,896.00 - $3,614.00

Salary (Annually) $34,752.00 - $43,368.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Jackson, TN

Department Health

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MADISON COUNTY

This position is located at the West Tennessee Regional Office.

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Possession of current registration as a dental assistant in the State of Tennessee with Dental Radiology Certification, Coronal Polishing Certification, Nitrous Oxide Certification, and Sealant Application Certification.

Substitution of Education for Experience:

None.

Necessary Special Qualifications:

• Restorative Certification
• Prosthetic Certification
• Valid Driver's License

Overview

Under direct supervision of a licensed Dentist, performs procedures designated under the scope of practice for a registered dental assistant to include certification for exposing and developing radiographs, certification for coronal polishing, certification for nitrous oxide monitoring, and certification for sealant application. This is the highest level class in the Dental Assistant sub-series. An employee in this class works as a chair side assistant during examination and treatment of patients and can expose and develop radiographs, perform coronal polishing, sealant application, and nitrous oxide monitoring. This class differs from that of the Dental Assistant 2 in that incumbents of the latter works as a chair side assistant during examination and treatment and expose and develop radiographs.

Responsibilities

• Prepares patients and operatories for dental procedures; performs four handed chair side assisting; and provides appropriate post treatment care and education for patients.
• Performs coronal polishing and sealant placement for patients. Monitors and terminates nitrous oxide levels of patients and detects changes in patient status during and after medication administration to ensure patient safety.
• Schedules appointments, answers telephone, and organizes daily schedule.
• Reviews medical history; records patient dental conditions and treatments; and maintains chart, records and reports. Maintains appropriate inventory for dental service delivery.
• Exposes and prepares x-rays for review. Meets infection control and safety guidelines.
• Compiles information from patients, parents, guardians and family members in regards to patients health and dental needs. Compiles information from community resources concerning school transport programs and school-based referrals.
• Communicates with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. Guides dental students in learning the proper use of various dental equipment as necessary.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state and Tennessee Department of Health guidelines; inspects materials to ensure compliance with expiration dates; and maintains current dental license and certification.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies

• Decision Quality
• Manages Complexity
• Communicates Effectively
• Manages Conflict
• Plans and Aligns

Knowledge

• Dental Practices & Procedures
• Customer and Personal Service
• Clerical

Skills

• Active Learning and Listening
• Service Orientation
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Speaking
• Operation and Control

Abilities

• Deductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Control Precision
• Multilimb Coordination
• Visual Color Discrimination

Tools & Equipment

• All Office Equipment (computer, fax, copier, scanner, telephone, calculator, etc.)
• Sterilization Equipment (Autoclave)
• Dental Instrumentation
• Dental Hand Pieces and Accessories
• Standard Dental Equipment

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

• Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.