Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC

University of Kentucky; Lexington, Northern (KY, KY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Specialty Dental Assistant to provide clinical support for both pediatric and adult dental procedures. The role includes four-handed chairside assisting, assisting in the operating room, patient consent, and medical history reviews, with duties spanning radiographs, impressions, and intraoral scans.

Responsibilities include monitoring vital signs during sedation, assisting with medications under supervision, and ensuring patient safety.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Obtain patient consent and review medical histories; initiate IVs and prepare PRF samples; set up or break down operatories.
• Monitor and document vital signs during oral and IV sedation; administer medications under supervision; assist during medical emergencies.
• Pass instruments during procedures, deliver post-operative instructions, escort patients after surgery, and manage inventory and supply orders.
• Take radiographs, impressions, and intraoral scans as part of diagnostic tasks.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Customer service

Dependability

Initiative

Education

Expanded duties certificate

Coronal polishing certificate

Job description

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; primarily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (40 hours/week); 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.

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

Deadline to Apply 09/10/2026

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.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA), or are you eligible to obtain this by date of hire?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have current Coronal Polishing, Dental X-ray, and IV Sedation certificates, or are you eligible to obtain these 6 months of hire into the Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC job title?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter