Dental Assistant- Surgical
The University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, TX, USA
Posted on Feb 22, 2026
Under limited supervision, supports dental care delivery by preparing treatment room, patients, instruments and materials and performing routine procedures. Leads or mentors lower level team members.
Work Hours: Work hours will vary Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Benefits Overview
UT Health San Antonio offers an excellent benefits package for its employees. Employees who work at least 20 hours a week, with an appointment of at least 4.5 months, are eligible for benefits.
Medical - UT SELECT Medical insurance is offered free for employees and administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Family members can be added to the plan through payroll deduction. Employees and their dependents can also receive discounted copays and coinsurance when using UT Health Physicians, a network of 800 premier physicians including more than 100 specialists. Employees receive $50,000 of group term life insurance and $50,000 of basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for free, with options to purchase additional employee and dependent coverage for both at group rates.
Dental - Three dental insurance plan options are available for employees and their families through Delta Dental Insurance Company, two PPOs and one dental HMO plan. Both PPO plans allow employees to choose any licensed dentist.
Vision - Fully insured Vision Care benefits are offered by Superior Vision Services. Two vision plan options that offer either standard or enhanced vision benefits.
Disability - Employees can enroll in the Disability Insurance which provides income if a non-work related illness or injury prevents you from working.
FSAs - Employees can enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to set aside money from earnings before taxes for qualifying dependent day care expenses or out-of-pocket health care expenses.
Retirement - Employees are eligible for either the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined benefit retirement plan which UT Health matches employee contributions. ORP is for eligible faculty staff employees. Voluntary retirement programs are also available to invest before- or after-tax dollars with the choice of five quality retirement plan providers.
Time Off - A generous leave program offers multiple paid leave options:
- Front-loaded Paid Time Off: 128 to 208 hours (16 to 26 days) of Paid Time Off based on years of service, given at the start of each fiscal year. PTO may be prorated in year one based on date of hire.
- Extended Illness Bank: 8 hours (1 day) accrued per month which can be used for illness or injury after one day of Paid Time Off is taken.
- Paid Family Leave: Up to 240 hours (6 weeks) to care for a spouse, child, or parent after 6 months of consecutive employment.
- Holidays: 12 set paid holidays each year.
Discounts - Employees enjoy a range of discounts on services, tickets, and gym membership.
EEO Statement
UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
- Must have good hand skills to work in tight quarters on small part of the body, using precise tools and instruments.
- Detail oriented with the ability to organize and coordinate work within schedule constraints and handle emergent requirements in a timely manner.
- Ability to monitor important and complex projects concurrently.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Lotus Notes/other email software.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, to include writing and preparing memorandums, letters, and other official correspondence.
- Must be able to provide chairside support for oral surgery procedures of higher acuity/complexity, including: Partial and full bony third molar removal, soft tissues procedures, dental implant placement, TMJ Arthrocentesis and surgery, cosmetic procedures and orthognathic surgery and emergency management.
- Must be able to provide or acquire skills patient chairside and OR support of IV set ups, EKG monitoring, N20/O2 monitoring, glucose testing and monitoring.
- Must be able to have or acquire skill to perform radiological procedures, including panoramic x-rays and CBCT.
EDUCATION:
High school diploma or GED is required.
PREFERRED:
Previous General Anesthesia experience highly preferred. EPIC experience.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:
Registry with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) is required.
BLS required
- Assigns dental assistants daily to clinical duties.
- Supervises flow of the clinic floor and reassign assistants as necessary; report issues to supervisor or director.
- Supervises restocking, cleaning and maintenance of clinical bays; reports equipment issues as needed.
- Assists a dentist at chair-side in the treatment of patients and passes instruments and materials.
- Receives and prepares patients for dental treatment.
- Assists clinic manager with maintaining inventory of supplies and equipment.
- Ensures proper items are in-stock and are ordered in timely manner.
- Keeps records of appointments, examinations, treatments, and supplies.
- Manages the clinic floor throughout the day.
- Oversees the dental assistants and student rotations to maintain an efficient flow of the clinic.
- Coordinates dental assistant daily assignments.
- Provides assistance to the faculty, residents/students in the Advanced General Dentistry Clinic.
- Runs dental assistant meetings.
- Trains dental assistants as needed.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.