Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC

UK HealthCare; Lexington (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

The Specialty Dental Assistant – Pediatric Dentistry Clinic at the University of Kentucky Dental Group Clinical Practice is seeking an experienced assistant to provide clinical support during surgical and general procedures for faculty, residents, and students. The role includes four-handed chairside assistance in pediatric and adult treatments and may involve operating room rotation.

Responsibilities include taking medical histories, initiating IVs, drawing blood for PRF, maintaining

Qualifications

• Required Education HS
• Required Related Experience 1 yr
• Must obtain BLS at time of hire and complete Coronal Polishing, Dental X-ray, IV Sedation competencies within 6 months

Responsibilities

• Assist in four-handed chairside dental procedures for pediatric and general dentistry.
• Monitor vital signs during oral and IV sedation and assist during emergencies.
• Take radiographs, impressions, and intraoral scans.
• Prepare and break down operatories; passage of instruments during procedures.
• Escort patients after surgery and provide post-operative instructions.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Customer service

Dependability

Initiative

Education

HS

Expanded duties certificate

Coronal polishing certificate

Job description

Posting Details

Job Title Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC

Requisition Number RE54954

Working Title Specialty Dental Assistant – Pediatric Dentistry Clinic

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

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.

This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus: $5000 for 0.6 Full Time Employment ( FTE ) classification roles or higher with 12 months of experience or greater. Contingent on a 12-month employment commitment. Further details will be discussed during the hiring process.

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 09/16/2026

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.