Dental Assistant, Orthodontics

Indiana University; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

HSA contributions

Tuition subsidy for IU courses

Paid holidays

EAP

Job summary

Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis is seeking a Dental Assistant at the intermediate foundational level to support the dentist during procedures and patient care. The role involves sterilization, radiography duties, patient preparation, and collaboration with students and clinical teams.

Foundational or intermediate level requirements include a dental assisting background, Indiana X-Ray license, and strong customer service skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Completion of dental assisting training program or 6 months of experience in dental assisting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide chair side assistance to dentist by passing instruments and maintaining a sterile field.
• Assist with local anesthetic administration.
• Take and monitor patients' vital signs including blood pressure.
• Prepare and position patients pre- and post-operatively; provide post-operative care instructions.
• Instruct students on taking digital radiographs and cone beam scans.
• Ensure sterilization of instruments and readiness of procedure areas.
• Assist front office with scheduling follow-ups.

Skills

Attention to detail

Safety conscious

Customer service

Independent worker

Technical aptitude

Verbal communication

Team collaboration

Quality focus

Interpersonal skills

Multi-tasking

Willingness to learn

Education

High school diploma / equivalent

Dental assisting training program

Job description

DENTISTRY-ORTHO & ORAL FACIAL (IN-DSOF-IUINA)

The Indiana University (IU) School of Dentistry has been advancing oral health in the state and beyond since 1879, when it was founded as the Indiana Dental College. Over the past 140 years, we've become a national leader in preparing oral health professionals, conducting innovative research that has an impact on patients and the profession, and providing patient-centered care.

• Provide chair side assistance to dentist by passing instruments, holding devices such as suction tubes, and cleaning patients mouth during and after specialty dental and root canal procedures.
• Assist in administration of local anesthetic agent.
• Take patients' blood pressure and maintain patients' vital statistics.
• Provide preoperative care to patients, prepare patients for surgery by positioning them comfortably and applying topical anesthetics, and provide post-operative care and instructions to patients.
• Instruct graduate students and pre-doctoral dental students on taking digital radiographs, cone beam radiographs and cone beam scans.
• Confirm that instruments are sterilized and working properly and organize them for procedures and/or surgery.
• Ensure that equipment used for dental procedures is sterilized and areas are clean and ready to receive new patients.
• Assist front office in scheduling follow up visits.

This position is posted at the Intermediate career level but may be filled at the Foundational career level depending on the candidate's qualifications. Although they will be similar, the duties and responsibilities may differ if filled at the lower level. Please see the qualifications for each level listed below.

Intermediate Requirements

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

Education

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent (such as HSED or GED)

Work Experience

• 1 year of assisting in applicable specialty

Licenses and Certificates

Required

• Indiana X-Ray license upon date of hire

Preferred

• Dental Assistant certification upon date of hire

Skills

Required

• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Ability to work in a safe and efficient manner
• Demonstrated customer service skills
• Performs work independently with minimal supervision
• Possesses strong technical aptitude
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills
• Articulate and responsive to colleagues
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple priorities
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty

Foundational Requirements

Education

Required

• Completion of dental assisting training program; OR
• 6 months of dental assisting experience

Licenses and Certificates

Required

• Radiology license within 6 months of date of hire

Required

• Possesses strong technical aptitude
• Demonstrated customer service skills
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple priorities

This role requires sedentary work as well as extended durations of moving about the workplace. It requires the ability to move objects and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, and the ability to discern between various objects and devices and to position patients. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

IU School of Dentistry

Indianapolis, Indiana

$18.50 per hour if hired at the foundational level

$19.50 per hour if hired at the intermediate level

Monday through Friday 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Career Level: Intermediate

FLSA: Nonexempt

Job Function: Health Services

Job Family: Dentistry

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at [e-mail] or by visiting IUPD.

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