Dental Assistant

Job summary

Provide chairside dental assistance, including radiographs, for patients, dentists, and dental and dental hygiene students in assigned clinic areas. Coordinate clinic activities, maintain inventory and infection control, support patient records and instrument handling, and assist with teaching and team needs.

Job details

Position Details Position Information Position Title Dental Assistant Research Project Department/Unit Dental Clinic Location Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posting Number S308-26 Employee Group NSGEU Local 77 Position Type Term Duration of Contract (if applicable) 2 years Employment Type Full Time Full-time Equivalency (FTE) 1.0 Salary $33.70-$42.67 per hour ($61,333 - $77,665 per annum based on 35 hours per week) Classification T8 Provisional Statement About Dalhousie University Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018. Job Summary The Faculty of Dentistry promotes and provides oral health care as an integral component of overall health for regional, national and international communities through quality education, research and service. Reporting to the Clinical Care Service Manager, the Dental Assistant will provide comprehensive chairside dental assistance, for all patients, all dental and dental hygiene students, and dental faculty inclusive. The Dental Assistant will ensure efficient daily coordination of specific dental clinic activities in assigned service areas in accordance with established clinic policies. The Dental Assistant provides care to patients from different and distinct communities across Nova Scotia, including under-served and marginalized populations. Key Responsibilities Ensure efficient daily coordination of specific dental clinic activities in accordance with established clinic policies. Listen and demonstrate understanding to a variety of patients under care. Provide comprehensive chair-side dental assistance including radiographs (as required) for potentially infectious patients in assigned service areas for dentists, dental and dental hygiene students as assigned. Recognize the experiences and culture of patients when delivering care. Order, stock, and maintain clinical inventory for assigned areas. Ensure maintenance of assigned clinic area and adherence to proper infection control procedures. Deliver instrument trays to and from cubicles and soiled pick up. Perform patient chart data entry as required and assist in coordinating charts, ensuring accuracy of information for reporting. Act as an integral part of the Clinic dental assistant team assisting/anticipating needs of other clinics and support others as time permits. Demonstrate and assist in teaching various techniques, dental assistant utilization procedures, radiology, etc. Note The successful candidates must provide proof of up-to-date immunization for the following (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox and Hepatitis B). A copy of the lab report for Hepatitis B surface antibodies must be provided, along with evidence of the 2 Step Mantoux (Tuberculin) test. Annual Influenza inoculation is recommended. The successful candidates must keep their immunization status current during their employment. Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person on campus. Required Qualifications Current Level II Licensed to work in Nova Scotia as a Dental Assistant with a certificate from an accredited college with a NDAEB certificate and Coronal Polishing Certificate, with a minimum five years’ current chair-side dental assisting experience. Have a current Healthcare Provider CPR / AED certificate. Proficiency in intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs. Experience assisting with both prosthodontic and surgical implant procedures. Excellent communication, time management and organizational skills. Ability to work independently and as a member of a team. Assets Job Competencies The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core competencies, in particular: Self-Awareness & Professionalism Integrity Respect & Inclusion Adaptability Knowledge & Thinking Skills Additional Information Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program. Application Consideration Non-probationary bargaining unit employees ( NSGEU local 77) are given priority consideration. All other applications will be considered when there is no qualified candidate from the bargaining unit. We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture. Diversity Statement Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please review our Employment Equity information. If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here . Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies 1 Open Date 09/28/2026 Close Date 10/08/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicant Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/22188

What you’ll do

Provide chairside dental assistance, including radiographs, for patients, dentists, and dental and dental hygiene students in assigned clinic areas. Coordinate clinic activities, maintain inventory and infection control, support patient records and instrument handling, and assist with teaching and team needs.

Requirements

Requires a current Level II Nova Scotia dental assistant license, an accredited college certificate, NDAEB certification, a Coronal Polishing Certificate, and at least five years of current chairside experience. Candidates must also hold current Healthcare Provider CPR/AED certification and have radiography proficiency and experience assisting with prosthodontic and surgical implant procedures.

Benefits

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan • Health Plan • Dental Plan • Health Spending Account • Employee and Family Assistance Program • Tuition Assistance Program

Listed skills

• Time management · Preferred
• Clinical care · Preferred
• Teamwork · Preferred
• Organization · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Chairside Dental Assistance
• Intraoral and Extraoral Radiography
• Prosthodontic Procedures
• Surgical Implant Assistance
• Infection Control
• Patient Care
• Clinical Inventory Management
• Patient Chart Data Entry
• Communication
• Time Management
• Organization
• Teamwork
• Independent Work
• Teaching and Demonstration
• Cultural Awareness
• Radiology

Job areas

• Healthcare
• Education
• Science & Research