Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC

University of Kentucky; Lexington, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kentucky is seeking a Specialty Dental Assistant for UKHC - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit in Lexington, KY. The role provides clinical support for a range of dental procedures and may rotate to operating room settings.

Responsibilities include consent, history review, IVs, and postoperative instructions while maintaining inventory and patient safety. Ideal candidates hold a high school diploma and must obtain BLS, coronal polishing, dental X-ray, and IV sedation competencies

Qualifications

• Attention to detail and accuracy in clinical tasks.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Dependability and initiative in fast-paced surgical settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide four-handed chairside assistance for pediatric and adult dental procedures.
• Monitor vital signs during oral and IV sedation and assist during emergencies.
• Set up and break down operatories; manage instruments and supplies.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Customer service

Dependability

Initiative

Education

HS

Job description

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

Department Name

Department Name MD100:DENTAL GROUP CLINICAL PRACTICE

Work Location

Work Location Lexington, KY

Grade Level 08

Salary Range

Salary Range $19.00-30.09/hour

Type of Position

Type of Position Staff

Position Time Status

Position Time Status Full-Time

Required Education

HS

Click here for more information about equivalencies:

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

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

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 10/08/2026

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 transition into the Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC job title?
  • 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 transition into the Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC job title?
  • Yes
  • No