Dental Assistant, Pediatrics

The Indiana University (IU) School of Dentistry has been advancing oral health in the state and beyond since 1879, when it was founded as the Indiana Dental College. Over the past 140 years, we've become a national leader in preparing oral health professionals, conducting innovative research that has an impact on patients and the profession, and providing patient-centered care. In the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the Indiana University School of Dentistry, we teach our students to become compassionate dentists who are skilled at providing oral health care for infants and children, including those with special health care needs.

Our specialized training gives future pediatric dentists the knowledge they need to offer the most current, comprehensive treatments for a wide variety of oral health issues children and adolescents may face.

• Provide chair side assistance to dentists by passing instruments, holding devices such as suction tubes, and cleaning patients mouth during and after specialty dental and root canal procedures.
• Assist in administration of local anesthetic agent.
• Take patients' blood pressure and maintain patients' vital statistics.
• Provide preoperative care to patients, prepare patients for surgery by positioning them comfortably and applying topical anesthetics, and provide post-operative care and instructions to patients.
• Instruct graduate students and pre-doctoral dental students on taking digital radiographs, cone beam radiographs and cone beam scans.
• Confirm that instruments are sterilized and working properly and organize them for procedures and/or surgery.
• Ensure that equipment used for dental procedures is sterilized and areas are clean and ready to receive new patients.
• Assist front office in scheduling follow up visits.

This position is posted at the Intermediate career level but may be filled at the Foundational career level depending on the candidate's qualifications. Although they will be similar, the duties and responsibilities may differ if filled at the lower rank. Please see the qualifications for each level listed below.

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

• EDUCATION Required High school diploma or equivalent (such as HSED or GED).
• WORK EXPERIENCE Required1 year of assisting in an applicable specialty.
• LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES Required Indiana X-Ray license upon date of hire.
• Preferred Dental Assistant certification upon date of hire.
• SKILLS Required Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure.
• Ability to work in a safe and efficient manner.
• Demonstrates customer service skills.
• Performs work independently with minimal supervision.
• Possesses strong technical aptitude.
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills.
• Articulate and responsive to colleagues.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple priorities.
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.

• EDUCATION Required High school diploma or equivalent (such as HSED or GED).
• WORK EXPERIENCE Required Completion of a dental assisting training program; OR 6 months of dental assisting experience.
• LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES Required Radiology license within 6 months from date of hire.
• SKILLS Required Possesses strong technical aptitude.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills.
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple priorities.