Clinical Dental Assistant- Special Needs Clinic (8322)

Job Description

Market Range: 05

Hiring Salary: $19.10/Hourly

JOB SUMMARY/ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, the Clinical Dental Assistant provides specialized chairside and clinical practice support for faculty, residents, and dental students in the Special Needs Clinic. The Clinical Dental Assistant in the Special Needs Clinic supports the delivery of comprehensive dental care to patients with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities. This role involves preparing treatment areas, assisting dentists during procedures, managing patient comfort and safety, and maintaining strict infection control protocols. This position plays a key role in creating a compassionate, respectful, and accommodating environment for patients with special healthcare needs.

Responsibilities

1. Provides chairside assistance, such as oral evacuations, retractions, and instrument exchange, for faculty members.
2. Exposes, processes, labels x-ray film (including periapical, occlusal, and panoramic film).
3. Supplies providers with equipment, instruments, and materials for procedures at the chairside; prepares rubber dam at the chairside for isolation.
4. Prepares and mixes dental materials (alginate, amalgam, composite, cement, etc.)
5. Ensures working area, instruments, and equipment meet OSHA sterilization regulations
6. Prepares and mixes impression materials. Monitors and maintains the safety of nitrous oxide usage.
7. Documents the patient record as the doctor dictates findings
8. Answer multi-line phones and make patient appointments.
9. Maintains necessary inventory supplies and equipment.
10. Cleans and disinfects the working area.
11. Comply with daily work assignments between Dunn and Le Bonheur.
12. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION:

High School Diploma or GED. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

EXPERIENCE:

One (1) year of experience working in a dental office or academic institution. Must maintain registration as a licensed dental assistant in the State of Tennessee. Nitrous Oxide Monitoring and Radiology Certification required. (PROOF OF LICENSURE IS REQUIRED). (Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) with the Dental Assistant National Board Certification (DANB) is preferred. Graduate of CODA accredited school preferred.)

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:

A Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in the State of Tennessee, with certification in radiology and nitrous oxide monitoring is required. Must acquire and maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. Must maintain TN state dental assistant licensure. (PROOF OF LICENSURE IS REQUIRED)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of all areas of dental assisting as outlined by the State of Tennessee Board of Dentistry to include setup of operatory, instrument transfer, and correct sequencing of instruments and dental material, according to the particular procedure.
• Ability to provide all supportive services or procedures necessary to protect the physical well-being of the patient during routine treatment procedures and during periods of emergencies, including, but not limited to physical positioning of the patient, monitoring of vital signs, assistance during administration of life-support activities, and any other non-invasive procedures deemed necessary by the supervising dentist to maintain the health and safety of the patient.

WORK SCHEDULE:

This position may occasionally work weekends and some holidays.

Job Info

• Job Identification 8322
• Job Category Medical
• Posting Date 05/28/2026, 03:24 PM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations 875 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38163, US

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admissions without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Eligibility and other terms and conditions of employment benefits at The University of Tennessee are governed by laws and regulations of the State of Tennessee, and this non-discrimination statement is intended to be consistent with those laws and regulations.

In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, The University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the University.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 910 Madison Avenue, Suite 826, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, telephone at 901-448-2133 or 901-448-7382 (V/TTY available). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.