Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC

U K Healthcare Ltd; Lexington (VA); On-site; USD 54,443,000 - 86,220,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kentucky Healthcare in Lexington, KY, seeks a Specialty Dental Assistant to support surgical and general dental procedures, including four-handed chairside assistance for orthodontics, restorative, endodontics, and more. Responsibilities include patient consent, medical history reviews, IVs, radiographs, impressions, and postoperative instructions.

The role requires HS, 1 year of related experience, BLS certification, and rapid attainment of coronal polishing, dental X-ray, and IV

Qualifications

• HS diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 1 year related experience in dental assisting preferred.
• Current BLS at time of hire; must obtain coronal polishing, dental X-ray, and IV sedation competencies within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provides four-handed chairside assisting during pediatric and adult dental procedures.
• Obtains patient consent and reviews medical histories.
• Sets up or breaks down operatories and assists with radiographs, impressions, and intraoral scans.
• Monitors vital signs during sedation and assists during emergencies.
• Delivers post-operative instructions and manages clinical inventory and supply orders.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Customer service

Dependability

Initiative

Education

HS

Job description

Posting Details

Job Title

Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC

Requisition Number

RE55536

Working Title

Specialty Dental Assistant

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

Depends on operational needs of the assigned clinic, generally this is Monday – Friday, Day Shift

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

Attention to detail and accuracy, excellent communication and customer service skills, dependability, communication, initiative

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

No

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

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.