Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in St. Louis, MO
Surgical Dental Assistant jobs in St. Louis are concentrated across oral surgery practices, dental specialty clinics, and hospital-affiliated dental departments in areas like Clayton, Creve Coeur, and the Central West End, with strong demand from BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, and Mercy. Candidates with oral surgery or implant experience are especially sought after across the metro. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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MO-SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital 1201 GrandWorker Type:
RegularJob Summary:
Provides technical scrub skills in the operating room during surgical procedures and assists surgical team as needed in any other capacity, according to established procedures. Must be energetic and highly motivated to support the success of Saint Louis University Hospital.Job Responsibilities and Requirements:
POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (% of time)
Essential Functions: The following are essential job accountabilities and performance criteria:
1) Demonstrates professionalism when working: (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) 70%
Criteria
A) Performs care for patient safety and well-being.
B) Able to scrub any procedure in primary cluster skillfully.
C) Able to operate all equipment in primary cluster.
D) Demonstrate ability to operate computer by correct data entry.
E) Follows established standards of practice.
F) Demonstrates flexibility.
G) Demonstrate knowledge and participates in specialty area.
H) Maintains certification (when appropriate).
2) Cooperates with other personnel to achieve department and interdepartmental objectives, and maintain good employee relations. (2,5) 10%
Criteria
A) Cooperates with other departments and their needs in the interest of patient care.
B) Works closely with ACU and PACU, and attempts to assist them when requested.
3) Safety/Infection Control: Practices according to safety and infection control policies. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 5%
Criteria
A) Practices universal precautions and disposes of hazardous wastes per established guidelines.
B) Maintains a safe, clean, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients/families/employees in accordance with hospital standards.
1. Maintains clutter free environment.
2. Keeps conversations and background noise to a minimum.
3. Adheres to dress code.
C) Reports risk management concerns.
D) Assumes responsibility for completing all annual mandatory requirements:
1. Safety/Fire
2. Blood Borne Pathogen
3. Hazardous Communication
4. TB
5. Department Specific
6. Age Appropriate Care
E) Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
4) Service: Provides service excellence to the customers of Saint Louis University Hospital by delivering timely, high quality care in a courteous, and respectful manner. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 10%
Criteria
A) Demonstrates care and courtesy.
1. Provides prompt, respectful, courteous service.
2. Meets physical, spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of patients and families.
3. Responds to patients needs promptly.
4. Apologizes for mix-up or delay.
B) Communicates effectively and maintains confidentiality.
1. Listens to patient/family concerns and addresses needs.
2. Explains procedures and all education in a manner that patient/family understands.
3. Allows time for questions.
C) Demonstrate competence and collaboration.
1. Provides accurate report.
2. Provides quality care in accordance to standards.
3. Shares knowledge with other departments to facilitate workflow and continuity.
D. Provides cost effective services.
1. Uses resources wisely.
2. Recommends changes in practice that increase efficiency and minimizes waste.
3. Minimizes overtime and utilizes time well.
5.) Performance Improvement (PI): Incorporates Quality Assessment into one’s daily work. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 5%
Criteria
A) Participates in discussion of PI outcomes.
B) Collects PI data as assigned.
C) Participates in research activities.
6) Age Appropriate Care: Provides age-appropriate care to:
____Infant ___Child ____Adolescent _____Adult _____Geriatric
Criteria
A) Provides a safe environment by following age appropriate safety measures.
B) Communicates effectively by following age appropriate techniques.
C) Involves family or significant other in decision making related to services provided.
D) Demonstrates ability to provide service needed for the age groups routinely served by the department assigned.
F) Attends annual age-specific in-service.
G) Position Specific:
1. Neonate/Infant
a. Infant totally dependent on care giver
b. Keeps safe
2. Child
a. Explains procedures in language understood by child
b. Comforts child and stands by for induction to anesthesia
c. Maintains a quiet atmosphere during induction and awakening stages of anesthesia.
d. Provides warmed blanket to maintain body temperature.
e. Utilizes equipment and instrumentation appropriate for size.
3. Adolescent
a. Involves patient in discussion of procedure
b. Maintains privacy and confidentiality
4. Adult
a. Culturally specific care
b. Maintain privacy and confidentiality
c. Utilizes equipment and instrumentation appropriate for size.
d. Maintains safe environment
5. Geriatric
a. Respectful, addresses by title and family name unless otherwise instructed not to.
b. Provides warmed blanket
c. Protects skin with additional padding if needed
d. Involves patient in planning process and discharge planning.
The following job accountabilities may be reassigned.
1) Not applicable
DISCLAIMER: Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
Rationale for Essential Functions:
1) The performance of this function is the reason the job exists.
2) There are limited employees among whom the performance of this function can be distributed.
3) This function occupies a great deal of the employee’s time.
4) This function is highly specialized. Employees are hired for the skill/ability to perform this function.
5) Failure to perform this function may have serious consequences.
6) The function was performed by past employees, and is performed by current employees.
7) Exposure to blood borne pathogens that require the use of protective equipment
8) Exposure to tuberculosis that requires the use of protective equipment
Job Specifications
MINIMUM EDUCATION: High school diploma/GED or 10 years of work experience or graduate of an accredited school of nursing or education equivalency for licensing
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE: Either prior operating room experience or graduation from an approved surgical technician program; or graduate of an accredited school of nursing or education equivalency for licensing
REQUIRED COURSE: BLS
WORKING CONDITIONS: Must be able to travel to and between operating rooms at a rapid pace. May be required to wear protective clothing such as masks, gowns, and gloves in addition to adhering to the department dress code. Regularly exposed to risk of blood borne disease. Must be able to work with electrical equipment. May be exposed to hot/cold materials and chemical agents (see MDS sheets). May be exposed to latex. Must be able to work alone, with others, and around others. Must have good organization, planning, reasoning, judgment, problem solving, and safety awareness skills.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to tolerate prolonged, extensive, or considerable sitting, standing, and walking. Must be able to transfer adult patients who require maximal assistance. Must be able to carry equipment and supplies. Must be able to push/maneuver a wheelchair, stretcher, OR table, in order to complete job tasks. Must be able to tolerate considerable reaching, bending, squatting, kneeling to retrieve equipment and perform patient treatment. Must be able to read and write. Must be able to communicate information in a manner appropriate for intended audience. Must have manual dexterity and mobility. Must be able to tolerate intermittent exertion when assisting in surgery. Must be able to lift 50 pounds and push/pull 100 pounds.
Employee___________________________________________Date____________
Supervisor__________________________________________Date_____________
Department Director __________________________________Date_____________
Administration________________________________________Date_____________
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. An individual working in their job classification must also perform specific tasks upon request by supervisor personnel. Furthermore, the duties and responsibilities for this job classification are subject to change at the discretion of the medical center.
REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS
Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA)
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)Job Type:
Department:
4403000037 SurgeryScheduled Weekly Hours:
40Benefits:
SSM Health values our exceptional employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package to fit their needs.
Paid Parental Leave: we offer eligible team members one week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro-rated based on FTE).
Flexible Payment Options: our voluntary benefit offered through DailyPay offers eligible hourly team members instant access to their earned, unpaid base pay (fees may apply) before payday.
Upfront Tuition Coverage: we provide upfront tuition coverage through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members.
Explore All Benefits
SSM Health is an equal opportunity employer. SSM Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Click here to learn more.
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Find JobsSurgical Dental Assistant Job Market in St. Louis
Who's Hiring
- BJC HealthCare24

- SSM Health17

- Mercy14

- United Surgical Partners2

- STERIS1

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in St. Louis: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a surgical dental assistant job in St. Louis?
The strongest path in St. Louis is targeting oral surgery group practices, periodontal specialty offices, and hospital-based dental departments, which cluster heavily in Clayton, Creve Coeur, and the Central West End. Candidates who hold a Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification and have hands-on experience with surgical trays, suturing, and IV sedation monitoring stand out. Networking with St. Louis-area dental schools and specialty associations also opens doors to unadvertised openings.
Which companies hire surgical dental assistants in St. Louis?
Employers hiring surgical dental assistants in St. Louis right now include BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, and Mercy, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. St. Louis's mix of multi-specialty group practices, hospital systems with integrated dental programs, and established private oral surgery offices makes it a market with diverse employer options across the metro.
Are there remote surgical dental assistant jobs in St. Louis?
Remote work is rare for surgical dental assistants because the role is fundamentally chair-side and procedural. About 0% of surgical dental assistant openings tied to St. Louis are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those positions tend to involve administrative coordination, insurance pre-authorization, or patient scheduling support rather than clinical duties.
How can I get a surgical dental assistant job in St. Louis with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in St. Louis is starting as a general dental assistant at a multi-specialty practice and rotating into the oral surgery bay to build chair-side exposure. St. Louis-area community colleges and vocational programs with dental assisting tracks sometimes place graduates directly with local oral surgery groups. Showing familiarity with surgical instrument setup and sterilization protocols, even from an externship, gives entry-level candidates a meaningful edge over applicants with no clinical background.
Which industries hire the most surgical dental assistants in St. Louis?
The sectors hiring the most surgical dental assistants in St. Louis are Healthcare & Medical Services and Education, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. St. Louis's concentration of academic medical centers, regional hospital systems with oral surgery affiliations, and growing dental service organizations drives consistent demand across these sectors.
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