Dental Assistant, Periodontics

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.

The mission of the Department of Periodontology is to promote and engage in excellence in teaching and learning, research and creative activities, patient-centered care, civic engagement, and professional/community service that will advance the oral/periodontal health as well as the overall health of the people of the state of Indiana and beyond.

• 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.

• High school diploma or equivalent (such as HSED or GED)

• 1 year of assisting in an applicable specialty

• Indiana X-Ray license upon date of hire

• Dental Assistant certification upon date of hire

• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Ability to work in a safe and efficient manner
• Demonstrated 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

• Completion of a dental assisting training program; OR
• 6 months of dental assisting experience

• Radiology license within 6 months from date of hire

• Possesses strong technical aptitude
• Demonstrated customer service skills
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple priorities

This role requires sedentary work as well as extended durations of moving about the workplace. It requires the ability to move objects and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, and the ability to discern between various objects and devices and to position patients. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

IU School of…