Specialty Dental Assistant/UKHC

Job Summary

Read on to find out what you will need to succeed in this position, including skills, qualifications, and experience.

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 06/03/2026 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. xywuqvp These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.