Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC

U K Healthcare Ltd; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 26,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY is seeking a Specialty Dental Assistant for the UKHC Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit. The role supports both pediatric and adult procedures with four-handed chairside assistance across orthodontics, restorative, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and implant placement.

Responsibilities include consent, histories, IVs, radiographs, and instrument passing. Weekday days, 40 hrs/wk with possible scheduling adjustments; BLS required and certificates

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 1 year related experience in a dental or clinical setting.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and upcoming competency goals within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Obtain patient consent and review medical histories.
• Initiate IVs, draw blood for PRF, and set up or break down operatories.
• Monitor vital signs during oral and IV sedation, assist during emergencies.
• Pass instruments, deliver post-operative instructions, and escort patients post-surgery.
• Manage inventory and supply orders; take radiographs, impressions, and intraoral scans.

Skills

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Customer service

Dependability

Initiative

Education

HS

Job description

Posting Details

Job Title Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC

Requisition Number RE53607

Working Title Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit

Department Name MD100:DENTAL GROUP CLINICAL PRACTICE

Work Location Lexington, KY

Grade Level 08

Salary Range $19.00-30.09/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 1 yr

Required License/Registration/Certification Basic Life Support ( BLS ) at time of hire through the American Heart Association ( AHA ); must obtain Coronal Polishing, Dental X-ray, and IV Sedation 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; primarily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (40 hrs/wk); other hours/schedule as needed. Depends on operational needs of the assigned clinic.

Job Summary

The Specialty Dental Assistant provides clinical support for surgical and general dental procedures performed by faculty, residents, and students. This includes four-handed chairside assisting during pediatric and adult treatments such as orthodontics, restorative, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, and implant placement. This position may also be on a rotation to assist in the operating room setting.

Responsibilities include obtaining patient consent, reviewing medical histories, initiating IVs, drawing blood for PRF preparation, and setting up or breaking down operatories. The assistant monitors and documents vital signs during oral and IV sedation, administers medications under supervision, and assists during medical emergencies. Additional duties include passing instruments during procedures, delivering post-operative instructions, escorting patients after surgery, and managing clinical inventory and supply orders.

The role also involves diagnostic tasks such as taking radiographs, impressions, and intraoral scans.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities Attention to detail and accuracy, excellent communication and customer service skills, dependability, communication, initiative

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No

Preferred Education/Experience

Preferred Education/Experience Expanded duties certificate, Coronal polishing certificate, Experience assisting with sedation, and working in the operating room environment. Experience in working with patients with special needs. Knowledge of implant procedures is desirable.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 09/30/2026

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.