Dental Assistant, Pediatrics

Indiana University; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Health savings account (HSA)

Tuition subsidy for IU courses

Paid holidays and time off

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Indiana University Indianapolis Campus is seeking a Dental Assistant for Pediatric Dentistry to support chair-side procedures, patient prep, and radiographic training for students. The role emphasizes accuracy, safety, and patient care within a busy clinical setting.

Requirements include a dental assisting program completion and an Indiana X-Ray license by hire, with preferred certification. This is a full-time, on-site position with competitive IU benefits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of assisting in an applicable specialty preferred.
• Indiana X-Ray license required upon date of hire.
• Dental Assistant certification preferred upon date of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide chair-side assistance to dentists by passing instruments and instruments handling.
• Assist in administration of local anesthetic.
• Take patients’ blood pressure and monitor vital statistics.
• Provide preoperative and postoperative patient care and instructions.
• Instruct students on taking radiographs and cone beam scans.
• Ensure sterilization of instruments and prepare equipment for procedures.

Skills

Chair-side dental assisting

Instrument handling

Radiology procedures

Vital signs

Communication

Independent work

Education

High school diploma or GED

Dental assisting training program

Job description

DENTISTRY-PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY (IN-DSPE-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.

In the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the Indiana University School of Dentistry, we teach our students to become compassionate dentists who are skilled at providing oral health care for infants and children, including those with special health care needs. Our specialized training gives future pediatric dentists the knowledge they need to offer the most current, comprehensive treatments for a wide variety of oral health issues children and adolescents may face.

• Provide chair side assistance to dentists 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 rank. 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 an 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.
• Demonstrates 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 a dental assisting training program; OR
• 6 months of dental assisting experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Required

• Radiology license within 6 months from 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 Indianapolis Campus

$18.50 - 19.50 per hour

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)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.

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.