Licensed Dental Assistant

About the Job

Objective/Overview:

This position is located in the U of M Community-University Health Care Center Dental Clinic (CHUCC). The employee will assist chairside with numerous dentists and dental students to provide quality patient care, sterilize instruments, complete forms, maintain inventory, and schedule patients. The licensed dental assistant will also participate on various quality initiatives and other committees as assigned.

This is an AFSCME Health position. Bargaining unit considerations begins on 5/15/26 and ends on 5/22/26

This position will work 100% onsite in the CUHCC Dental Clinic.

FTE: .75 - 1.0 FTE

Work Schedule: 0.75 FTE: Scheduled between 7:15 a.m.-5:45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

1.0 FTE: Scheduled between 7:15 a.m.-5:45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

This is an AFSCME Health position. Bargaining unit considerations begins on 5/15/26 and ends on 5/22/26.

Number of open positions: 2

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Essential Functions:

Chairside dental assistance using four handed dentistry in diagnostic, endodontics, pedodontics, oral surgery, prosthodontics, and restorative procedures. (70%)

• General four-handed dentistry including expanded functions:
• Take digital radiographs
• Take and pour impressions, along with pulling the cast apart and also trimming it for study models
• Mechanically polish teeth, place sealants, fabricate temporary crowns, fabricate trays for tooth bleaching, remove sutures, place and remove rubber dams
• Monitor patients that are induced under nitrous oxide analgesia. (give N2O if applicable - you must have already taken the course*)
• Turn Nitrous on /off and unplug when not in use
• Chart and write in progress notes using the S-O-A-P format (Subjective-Objective-Assessment and Procedure formatting)(Format used for clinical charting at CUHCC)
• Prepare dental materials: cements, amalgam, composite, impression material, etc.
• Take blood pressure as needed
• Removing excess cement
• Manage patients during dental procedures
• Prepare lab slips for ordering lab work, and track receipt of cases
• Schedule follow-up and hygiene appointments for patients

Sterilize instruments/equipment and maintain a standard of infection control. (10%)

• Meet all sterilization and documentation criteria set by OSHA,CDC, ADA and CUHCC protocol
• Make sure all instruments and equipment go through proper sterilization and re-circulation

Maintain inventory levels and stock operatories, check in new supplies. (10%)

• Daily - stocking rooms, sterilization area, and any other area where we keep extra supplies
• Writing supplies needed on "To be ordered list"
• Notify supervisor when Nitrous and Oxygen tanks are low.

Dental reception/scheduling (5%)

• Schedule appointments
• Greet patients
• Answer phones/telephone techniques
• Confirm all appointments one day ahead
• Make sure we have labels or patient identification on all records/documents
• Update phone and mailing addresses in EHS
• Fax referrals as needed

Participation in staff development, quality assurance, compliance, etc. (5%)

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

All required qualifications must be included in the application materials

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate from an accredited Dental Assistant course, including current certification and registration as a Dental Assistant in Minnesota.
• Current in CPR.
• Experience with electronic health records.
• This position requires a negative TB test, and a Hepatitis B vaccination.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a community clinic setting
• Verbal proficiency/bilingual in Somali. Hmong, Lao, Vietnamese, or Spanish language.
• Experience in a dental office or clinic
• Successfully completed Nitrous Oxide Analgesia (N2O) course

About the Department

CUHCC serves nearly 11,000 patients a year through over 55,000 visits annually. The patient population comes from over 12 different racial and ethnic groups that span five continents. CUHCC's mission is to seek health equity in our community by advancing the well-being of diverse people. Candidates must be able to adapt behaviors to others' styles; interact with people who have different values, cultures, or backgrounds; be of service to difficult people; optimize the benefits of having a diverse workforce.

Teamwork is an essential skill to promote synergy within the organization. Candidates must be able to share due credit with coworkers; display enthusiasm and promote a friendly group working environment; work closely with other departments as necessary; support group decisions and solicit opinions from coworkers; display team spirit.

Candidates must have excellent communication skills and be able to clearly present information through the spoken or written word; read and interpret complex information; talk with customers or clients; listen well.

Staff is expected to demonstrate a high level of service delivery; do what is necessary to ensure customer satisfaction; deal with service failures and prioritize customer needs.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: Between $31.16/hr (step 6) - $34.28/hr (step 11), which equates to between $64.812.80/annually - $71,302.40/annually for 1.0 FTE; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nations most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).