Dental Assistant - School of Dentistry

University of Mississippi Medical Center; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson seeks a Dental Assistant to support dental staff and students in examination, delivery and maintenance of oral health care.

Role includes supervising clinic personnel, maintaining equipment and supplies, and teaching four-handed dentistry principles to students. Requires relevant education and licensure, with patient-focused care and strong hygiene practices.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and completion of Dental Assistant Program or 1 year healthcare experience.
• Dental Assistant Radiology Permit from MS Board; BLS/CPR within 30 days.
• Knowledge of dental procedures, sterile techniques, and radiation safety.
• Good verbal and written communication; ability to alleviate patient anxiety.

Responsibilities

• Provides chairside assistance to dentists and dental hygienists.
• Prepares patients; sterilizes instruments; sets up trays; prepares materials.
• Monitors and supervises clinical personnel across sites or residency programs.
• Assists in teaching four-handed dentistry to students in the clinic.
• Processes radiographs; maintains dental equipment (compressors, evacuator, sterilizers).
• Instructs patients in oral hygiene and infection control.

Skills

Dental procedures

Sterile technique

Radiation safety

Verbal communication

Written communication

Patient anxiety management

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Dental Assistant Program

Tools

Radiographic equipment

Sterilization equipment

Job description

After you apply, we will review your qualifications and contact you if your application is among the most highly qualified. Due to the large volume of applications, we are unable to individually respond to all applicants. You may check the status of your application via your Candidate Profile.

Thank you,

Human Resources

Job Requisition ID

R00050995

Job Category

Allied Health

Organization

SOD - Clinical Affairs - Ambulatory Director

Location/s:

Main Campus Jackson

Job Title

Dental Assistant - School of Dentistry

Job Summary

To assist professional dental staff and students in the examination, delivery, and maintenance of oral healthcare. To assist in the supervision of clinic personnel. To maintain dental equipment and supplies in accordance with established protocols, procedures, policies, and standards.

Education & Experience

Education And Experience Required

High School Diploma/GED and successful completion of Dental Assistant Program or one (1) year of healthcare experience.

Certifications, Licenses, Or Registration Required

Dental Assistant Radiology Permit from the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners. Basic Life Support from the American Heart Association or CPR from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association required within 30 days.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of dental procedures and protocols. Knowledge of sterile procedures. Knowledge of radiation safety procedures, standards, and protocols. Verbal and written communication skills. Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation. Ability to develop and process dental radiographs. Ability to alleviate patient anxiety.

Responsibilities

• Provides chairside assistance to dentists and/or dental hygienists in the performance of dental procedures.
• Prepares patients; sterilizes and disinfects instruments; sets up instrument trays; and prepares materials.
• Maintains duty schedules; monitors and supervises the performance of clinical personnel at remote sites, within residency programs, or across multiple clinic disciplines; and/or performs specialized assignments and tasks.
• Assists in teaching dental students, dental assisting students, and dental hygiene students the principles of four-handed dentistry and dental assistant utilization.
• Processes radiographs. Monitors and maintains dental equipment such as compressors, evacuator systems, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers, and light-curing units.
• Instructs patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs. Maintains safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• The duties listed are general in nature and are examples of the duties and responsibilities performed and are not meant to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Management retains the right to add or change duties at any time.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Requires frequent exposure to unpleasant or disagreeable physical environment such as high noise level and exposure to heat and cold, frequent handling or working with potentially dangerous equipment, frequent exposure to biohazardous conditions such as risk of radiation exposure, blood borne pathogens, fumes or airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals which mandate attention to safety considerations, occasional activities subject to significant volume changes of a seasonal/clinical nature, constant work produced subject to precise measures of quantity and quality, frequent bending, occasional lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds, frequent crouching/stooping, occasional kneeling, occasional pushing/pulling, constant reaching, constant sitting, frequent standing, frequent twisting, and occasional walking. (occasional-up to 20%, frequent-from 21% to 50%, constant-51% or more)

Time Type

Full time

FLSA Designation/Job Exempt

No

Pay Class

Hourly

FTE %

100

Work Shift

Benefits Eligibility

Grant Funded

Job Posting Date

08/12/2026

Job Closing Date