Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in New Mexico
Surgical Dental Assistant jobs in New Mexico are steadily active, with demand concentrated in oral surgery practices, periodontics, and multi-specialty dental clinics serving communities from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and Las Cruces. The largest share of openings clusters in Albuquerque, where established employers such as Lovelace Medical Group's dental divisions, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, and Presbyterian Healthcare Services maintain ongoing hiring. The most sought-after specialties are implant surgery assistance, extraction support, and sedation monitoring. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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At Aspen Dental, we put You First, offering the security and job stability that comes with working with a world-class dental service organization (DSO). Our best-in-class training program, competitive compensation, and flexible scheduling will help you thrive in your career. When you join our team as a Dental Assistant, you will have the opportunity to give back to communities and positively affect patients’ lives.
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: $20 - $25 / hour
At Aspen Dental, We Put You First. We Offer:
- A generous benefits package that includes paid time off, health, dental, vision, and 401(k) savings plan with match
- Career development and growth opportunities to support you at every stage of your career
- A fun and supportive culture that encourages collaboration and innovation
- Free Continuing Education (CE) through TAG U
How You’ll Make a Difference:
As a Dental Assistant, you will help support the clinical needs of the practice’s patients and doctors. You will have the support and training you need to maximize your career potential and help make a difference in your community one smile at a time.
- Assist during a variety of treatment procedures
- Take dental x-rays
- Set up and breakdown operatory post treatment
- Execute patient handoffs and monitors patient flow within the practice
- Manage infection control – prepare and sterilize instruments and equipment
- Educate patients on appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain good oral health
- Complete denture soft relines and manufacture temporary crowns
- Perform quality impressions and bite registrations
- Perform digital intraoral scans
- Support patient charting for doctors
- Perform various office tasks as necessary
- Collaborate with practice team to ensure optimum patient satisfaction
Qualifications
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with patients of all ages and backgrounds
- Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development
- Ability to work collaboratively with other members of the dental team to provide exceptional patient care
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Active license, registration, or permit as required by the state of practice; including x-ray certification if required
Aspen Dental-branded practices are independently owned and operated by licensed dentists. The practices receive non-clinical business support services from Aspen Dental Management, Inc., a dental support organization.
ADMI Corp., d/b/a TAG-The Aspen Group, its affiliates, related companies and independently owned supported clinical practices are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers and welcome everyone to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
See All 20 Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in New Mexico
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Find JobsSurgical Dental Assistant Jobs by City in New Mexico
Where New Mexico roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Surgical Dental Assistant Job Market in New Mexico
A snapshot from current New Mexico openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What New Mexico Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in surgical dental assistant jobs across New Mexico.
- Active New Mexico Dental Assistant registration with the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care
- Completion of an accredited dental assisting program or equivalent supervised clinical training
- Current CPR and Basic Life Support certification from an approved provider
- Demonstrated experience assisting in oral surgery, extractions, or implant procedures
- Familiarity with surgical instrument sterilization protocols and infection control standards
- Proficiency with dental practice management software and digital radiography systems
Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in New Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a surgical dental assistant in New Mexico?
You become a surgical dental assistant in New Mexico by completing an accredited dental assisting program and registering with the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care. New Mexico requires dental assistants who perform expanded functions or radiographic procedures to hold a current state registration, which involves meeting education requirements and passing an exam. Many employers in the state also expect CPR certification and hands-on surgical assisting experience gained through externships or clinical rotations.
Which companies hire surgical dental assistants in New Mexico?
New Mexico surgical dental assistant roles are posted by Aspen Dental, Familia Dental, and Apex Dental and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. New Mexico's mix of large academic medical systems and independent specialty oral surgery practices means openings appear across both high-volume institutional settings and smaller, community-focused clinics.
Which New Mexico cities have the most surgical dental assistant jobs?
Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Hobbs are the New Mexico cities with the most surgical dental assistant openings. Albuquerque dominates because it is home to the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and the state's highest concentration of multi-specialty dental and oral surgery practices, while Santa Fe and Las Cruces generate steady demand through regional medical campuses and growing suburban patient populations.
Are there remote surgical dental assistant jobs in New Mexico?
Yes, but they're rare. Surgical dental assisting is a hands-on clinical role that requires physical presence for patient care, instrument handling, and surgical support, so fully remote positions are uncommon by nature. About 0% of surgical dental assistant openings tied to New Mexico are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those exceptions typically involve administrative, scheduling, or patient coordination duties attached to a surgical dental assisting title.
How can I get hired as a surgical dental assistant in New Mexico with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing an accredited dental assisting program with a surgical assisting externship component, then applying to clinical training pipelines at institutions like the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, which periodically hires entry-level assistants for its oral surgery and periodontics clinics. Candidates who hold a current New Mexico dental assistant registration and a CPR certification stand out even without paid experience. Starting in a general dental assistant or sterilization technician role at a multi-specialty New Mexico practice is also a common lateral move into surgical work.
Where can I find and apply to surgical dental assistant jobs in New Mexico?
You can find and apply to surgical dental assistant jobs in New Mexico on Migrate Mate, which lists current New Mexico openings from employers across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and credentials below and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 20 Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in New Mexico
Find roles in New Mexico that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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