Licensed/Trainee Dental Assistant, Mobile Dental Clinic

About the Job

If you are a motivated, hardworking, team player who is passionate about patient care, we invite and encourage you to apply for our unique Dental Assistant position! 

• This position is a slower paced, learning environment where collaboration and teamwork is celebrated. 
• Enjoy the satisfaction of helping the future providers in dentistry with your knowledge and skill set. 
• Procedures are limited to recalls, new patient exams, restorative and simple extractions. No endodontic, removable, heavy surgical cases or lab work. 

Because we are an outreach clinic, providing preventive and primary dental care services to pediatric and adult populations who are underserved due to multiple access issues, we value quality patient care and easy dental access. Therefore, there are no production goals or unreasonable daily expectations. 

Our days are set to Monday – Friday with no nights, weekends or after-hours emergencies! 

• Hourly pay range for this position is $25.98-27.55 per hour.
• Hours for this position are 7:45 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday
• Location for this position varies:
• 3 weeks per month in local communities around the Twin Cities Metro area (Apple Valley, Blaine, Eden Prairie, Forest Lake, North Minneapolis, Roseville, South Minneapolis, West Saint Paul)
• 1 week per month in communities considered greater Minnesota (Austin, Duluth, North Mankato, Rochester, Saint Cloud, Walker, Winona). Overnight stays are required for these road trips. Each location is for the entire week.
• Our schedule is set a year in advance and you will have access to see the dates and locations for travel. 

More about this position:

The Mobile Dental Clinic (MDC) is part of the Outreach program at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry (SoD). The MDC is staffed by licensed dentists and student dental providers from the SoD. Each week the MDC travels around the Twin Cities area to provide dental care for UCare members. 

The MDC also travels to a greater MN location for one week out of each month. Hotel arrangements, travel expenses and food costs incurred will be covered by the School of Dentistry during these trips. 

The Dental Assistant on the Mobile Dental Clinic is a critical member of this care team. The MDC travels into the community to serve a population that is underserved due to multiple access issues, providing preventive and primary dental care services to pediatric and adult populations. 

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to: 

• Provide chairside assisting for clinical services to Mobile Dental Clinic/Ucare patients under the care of faculty dentists and undergraduate students 
• Daily preparation and maintenance of the operatories on the Mobile Dental Clinic. Maintain equipment on board and follow infection control protocols of the School of Dentistry 
• Maintain a working knowledge of dental procedures and materials 
• Take digital radiographs as directed (students take majority of the x-rays. If you are unlicensed, you will not be legally allowed to take them) 
• Cleaning, maintenance and sterilization of instruments 
• Organization, ordering, transporting, and stocking of supplies 
• Conduct orientation with students on procedures/protocol on the Mobile Dental Clinic 
• Dental Assistants may be required to drive the clinical transportation vehicle (this is a separate vehicle than the actual mobile clinic) to and from the clinic sites 
• If the Mobile Dental Clinic is not in use, the Dental Assistant will be reassigned to on-campus School of Dentistry Clinics at supervisor’s discretion 

Qualifications

Required qualifications ** please detail the required qualifications on your application materials **

• Graduation from an accredited dental assisting program (if applying as a Registered Dental Assistant) 
• Current State of Minnesota Dental Assistant License * New Graduate/Trainee option below 
• Certified as a Dental Assistant (DANB) * Trainee option below 
• Current CPR Certification 
• Must be able to multi task and adapt to changing work environment and work responsibilities 
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations 
• MN Driver’s License 
• Availability to travel to metro and outstate locations 

Preferred qualifications:

• Any experience in General Dentistry working in a dental office or clinic preferably with multiple providers 
• Proficient in managing electronic patient records 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to work well in a team setting and with learner providers 
• Successful experience providing dental care to a diverse patient base 
• New Graduate/Trainee option: 

New graduates who are offered a Dental Assistant position at the School of Dentistry are hired with the expectation of State of Minnesota Licensure is obtained within 4 months of hire. State of Minnesota Licensure requires Minnesota Jurisprudence Exam, Dental Assistant Licensure Exam and Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Exam to apply for licensure. 

Licensed Dental Assistants without DANB certification are encouraged to apply with expectation that DANB certification is obtained within 3 months of hire.

About the Department

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is the state’s only dental school and the only dental school in the northern tier of states between Wisconsin and the Pacific Northwest. We are a regional resource to five states for dental education, consulting services, patient treatment, and ongoing continuing dental education.

We educate dentists, dental specialists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental educators and research-scientists. We offer advanced degree programs in seven ADA-recognized specialties: endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics and TMD and orofacial pain. We educate scholars in oral biology, dental hygiene and oral health for older adults. Dentists from other countries who wish to practice in the United States matriculate through our Program for Advanced Standing Students. Learners have the option to pursue a Masters in Public Health or a PhD alongside their DDS degree.

We are the only dental hygiene program in the state associated with a dental school. Offering programs at the baccalaureate and master of science level, our integrated program prepares oral health professionals to collaborate from their first day in the profession.

We became the first dental school in the nation to educate dental therapists in 2009. Dental therapists perform basic preventative services, drill and restore teeth for children and adults and remove primary teeth under the supervision of a licensed dentist. As of 2023, we have graduated 91 dental therapists from the program.

Our work affects virtually every person in Minnesota. We educate approximately 73% of the state’s practicing dentists, 68% of licensed dental therapists, and 49% of dental hygiene educators. Our researchers develop and test restorative materials used by dentists around the world. We provide critical oral health care with more than 100,000 patient visits in our campus clinics and more than 16,000 patient visits at outreach sites in underserved communities throughout the state. We provide continuing dental education for 7,1000 practicing dental professionals each year.

The School of Dentistry is dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Diverse teams, perspectives, and backgrounds create a strong and creative team that best serves the University’s many communities, on campus and beyond. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, women, veterans, and members of historically underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply.

For more information, please visit our website, dentistry.umn.edu.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also 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 Scholarship
• 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

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

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 [email protected] 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

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

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 nation’s 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).

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