Dental Assistant - Health Department

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

05/01/2026

PAY GRADE:

Grade 13

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

Jefferson County Department of Health is seeking Dental Assistants to support dentists and dental hygienists during clinical procedures. Responsibilities include chair-side assistance, mixing materials, sterilizing instruments, and preparing patients for treatment in clinics and mobile dental units. This role also performs front desk duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining dental records, processing billing, and ordering supplies. Work is completed under established protocols and the direct supervision of a Senior Dental Hygienist or Dentist.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

The Jefferson County Department of Health provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is presented below:

$38,147 - $59,176

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

• Experience utilizing an electronic dental records software program (Dentrix, Eagle Soft, etc.) for the purposes of charting and/or registration of new patients (i.e., intake, insurance verification, payments, etc.).

• Experience exposing and developing digital radiographs (X-rays).

In addition to the qualifications listed above, applicants must also meet at least one of the following options:

Option A:

• Possession of a certificate from an accredited dental assisting program.

Option B:

• Completion of at least 10 months of a dental assisting program.

Option C:

• Experience as a dental assistant or dental hygienist where you have performed the following types of work or activities:

  • assisting a dentist with variety of procedures (operative, prosthetic, extractions, endodontic, pedodontics, orthodontic, and/or periodontic),
  • familiar with chair set up materials,
  • armamentarium set up for a variety of procedures,
  • infection control procedures,
  • utilization of autoclave sterilization equipment, etc.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications deemed desirable by the Health Department. These qualifications may be considered by a hiring agency when reviewing applications and inviting candidates to participate in subsequent steps in the selection processes.

• Possession of a certificate from a CODA accredited dental assisting program.

• One year or more experience assisting with pediatric dentistry procedures.

• One year or more experience assisting with oral surgery procedures.

• One year or more experience assisting with endodontic procedures.

• Experience verifying insurance and submitting dental claims.

• Front desk experience (answering calls, registering patients, cash handling, etc.).

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Performs sanitation activities on common areas and dental equipment using sanitizing equipment and products following established safety guidelines in order to minimize exposure to infections and safety hazards.

• Provides customer service to internal and/or external customers.

• Performs various administrative activities by creating and updating files, maintaining documents, and tracking information using various forms and computer systems in order to maintain patient records and prepare for appointments. 

• Performs patient assessments by interviewing patients and reviewing medical records and other relevant information using various resources in order to propose a treatment plan and prepare the dentist for the appropriate procedure.

• Manages departmental accounts receivable by generating and processing invoices and payments to collect and track payments and amounts owed.

• Performs and assists with various dental procedures by preparing the patient and assisting the dentist throughout procedures using various dental equipment in order to provide dental services to patients.

• Procures and/or manages inventory (i.e., supplies and equipment) to ensure the products and services are available to meet the operational needs of each department.

• Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job involves physical exertion required for sustained periods of light physical activity such as walking or standing. May involve occasional light lifting of items or objects weighing up to 25 lbs. Involves the ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily within medical or healthcare facilities. Work involves use of medical tools and equipment necessary for the care and/or diagnosis of healthcare patients. This job may require exposure to high-decibel noise, biological and/or chemical hazards, and/or contagious and/or infectious diseases. Job may require rotating work site locations and/or working overtime. Job may require working in a hospital setting with a diverse population (e.g., patients with mental illness, who are incapacitated, are angry/irate, and/or that are indigent).

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required for this position and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.