Dental Assistant Jobs in Iowa

University of Iowa Health Care Department of Nursing is seeking a 60% Dental Assistant to work in the Oral Surgery Clinic.

Position Summary:

Under general supervision, performs chairside duties in assistance of dental students, graduate students, and faculty providers. Carries out all functions which a registered dental assistant is legally certified to perform.

Characteristics, Duties & Responsibilities:

• Cleans operatory and instrument maintenance
• Prepares operatory for daily treatments by coordinating proper tray set-ups (either setting themselves or using tray cards from dispensary) and any additional equipment necessary for the procedures to be performed
• Prepares patients for dental treatment, obtaining past medical history and other pertinent information from the patient or legal guardian. Assist with scheduling patients for follow-up appointments
• Assists operator chairside in four handed techniques. Including handoff of appropriate instruments and properly mixing materials
• Performs duties not involving direct patient contact. Sharpens instruments, performs minor maintenance of physical and digital equipment. Replenishes supplies in the operatory area
• Performs all duties assigned by dental students, graduate students or faculty, including duties involving direct patient contact such as bonding systems, cavity liners, bases, desensitizing agents, dry socket medication, Periodontal dressing and/or gingival retraction
• Responsible for lab duties such as bleach trays, custom trays, pouring of models, mouth guards and/or impressions for final appliances
• Post treatment duties: may assist in patient treatment coordination, post-procedure charges and charting under guidance of the provider
• In select clinics, monitors patients under nitrous oxide but does not administer. Duties may include set-up and tear down of equipment
• Exposes and processes radiographs and also traces and records measurements for cephalometric x-rays. May also conduct CBCT scanning/imaging
• Trains dental students in concepts of Dental Auxiliary Utilization and participates in student feedback sessions. May also support training of Residents in DA techniques some areas
• Assist in onboarding Dental Assistants in the methods used at the College of Dentistry and insures infection control compliance.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to follow written and oral instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively with others
• Knowledge of principles, methods and techniques of dental assistant work as instructed in CODA accredited educational programs
• Ability to work in close quarters with dental faculty and students while maintaining a positive environment for patients
• Ability to maintain a certificate of proficiency in dental radiography required by the Iowa Board of Dental Examiners
• Ability to operate necessary technology, machines, and instruments used in dental assistance duties

University of Iowa Health Care—recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.®

Percent of Time: 60%

Schedule: Monday-Friday 0800-1700, 1-hour lunch, no holidays, no weekends, no call.

Salary: Merit Plan Plan

Location: Pomerantz Family Pavilion (PFP)

Benefits Highlights: Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life, and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at: https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefits

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

• Successful completion of a CODA accredited dental assistance program or one-year full time equivalency in chairside assistant experience assisting in four-handed method of dentistry
• Must have a current certificate of registration to practice as a dental assistant issued by the Iowa Board of Dental Examiners (QDA)
• Must possess current Iowa certificate of proficiency in dental radiography (QDA)
• No additional work experience beyond the requirements for this position

Application Process: In order to be considered, applicants must upload a resume (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position. Candidates must upload copy of their educational transcripts if they are not certified/registered as a Medical Assistant or if they have not completed a Medical Assistant Program.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 10 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. For questions, contact Nicole Olmstead at nicole-olmstead@uiowa.edu.