Dental Assistant/UKHC

U K Healthcare Ltd; Lexington (VA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kentucky HealthCare is seeking a Dental Assistant to support dentists and ensure patients have a positive experience during visits. You will prepare patients and treatment areas, assist chairside during procedures, and maintain Epic records.

Responsibilities include instrument sterilization, operatory setup, supplies management, and patient education with empathy. The role emphasizes teamwork, infection control, and adherence to UK HealthCare policies, with opportunities to

Qualifications

• Requires Basic Life Support (BLS) at time of hire and must obtain Coronal Polishing and Dental X-ray competencies within 6 months.
• Performance of expanded duties including coronal polishing and radiography as part of chairside dental assisting.
• Team-based care with infection-control and patient education responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentists during procedures and prepare treatment areas.
• Sterilize instruments and set up operatories for daily work.
• Maintain accurate patient records in Epic and support education on oral hygiene.

Skills

Radiography

Coronal Polishing

Two-handed dentistry

Four-handed dentistry

Education

HS

Job description

Posting Details

• Job Title Dental Assistant/UKHC
• Requisition Number RE56253
• Working Title Dental Assistant
• Department Name MD100:DENTAL GROUP CLINICAL PRACTICE
• Work Location Lexington, KY
• Grade Level 07
• Salary Range $17.50-27.31/hour
• Type of Position Staff
• Position Time Status Full-Time
• Required Education HS
• Click here for more information about equivalencies: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
• Required Related Experience No experience required.
• Required License/Registration/Certification Basic Life Support ( BLS ) at time of hire through the American Heart Association ( AHA ); must obtain Coronal Polishing and Dental X-ray competencies within 6 months of hire.
• Physical Requirements The physical requirements for this position include regularly sitting, standing, walking, with some pushing, pulling, and/or lifting objects weighing up to 10lbs and occasional pushing, pulling, and/or lifting objects up to 50lbs.
• Shift Monday – Friday, Day Shift
• Job Summary The Dental Assistant supports the delivery of high-quality dental care by assisting dentists and ensuring patients have a positive experience throughout their visit. This role involves preparing patients and treatment areas for procedures, assisting chairside during dental treatments, and maintaining accurate patient records in Epic. The Dental Assistant performs essential clinical tasks such as sterilizing instruments, setting up operatories, managing supplies, and providing expanded care duties, including coronal polishing and radiography. In addition to clinical responsibilities, this position plays a key role in patient education by explaining procedures, promoting oral hygiene practices, and addressing patient questions with professionalism and empathy. The Dental Assistant contributes to the smooth daily operation of the clinic through teamwork, adherence to infection‑control protocols, and compliance with University and UK HealthCare policies. Service excellence and care coordination are integral parts of the role, requiring respectful communication, confidentiality, and collaboration with colleagues to ensure efficient, compassionate, and patient‑centered care.
• Skills / Knowledge / Abilities Radiography and Coronal Polishing; two-handed and four-handed dentistry;
• Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
• Preferred Education/Experience Previous experience in dentistry or dental assistant roles preferred.
• Deadline to Apply 11/01/2026

Our University Community

• We value the well‑being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
• The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
• Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.