Position Summary 
CUHCCâ™s mission is to transform care and education to advance health equity. This position will be an apprentice, on-the-job training certification program. Training will include a 12-month online curriculum while simultaneously completing in-clinic skills labs and working as CUHCC employee. The end goal of the program is for apprentices to earn on the job skills to become an unlicensed dental assistant. This apprenticeship doesnâ™t not give you licensing credentials to become a licensed dental assistant. Upon completion of the program, you may have the opportunity to continue working for CUHCC.

This position is under the Dental Assistant Apprenticeship Commitment and Tuition Loan Repayment Agreement (âœAgreementâ) which is forgivable under the terms of the contract which requires that the apprentice must work at CUHCC for at least 1 year post graduation.


This position is a trainee position and will spend 100% of their time equally performing all tasks this rotation.

Training Curriculum will include:

• Working in a Dental Office (Communication, Confidentiality and Ethics)
• Infection Prevention (Disease Transmission, Principles and Techniques of Disinfection, Instrument Processing and Sterilization)
• Chairside Assisting and Basic Terminology (Landmarks of the Face and Oral Cavity, Anatomy and Terminology of the Teeth)
• Radiology (Introduction to Radiology, Intraoral Imaging Techniques, Exterior Imaging)
• Assisting with the Oral Exam (Patient Record and Vital Signs and Oral Exam)
• Prophylactic Treatment I (Coronal Polishing, Intro to Moisture Control) (sealants)
• Oral Health Concerns and Prophylactic Treatment II (Dental Caries Periodontal Disease, Preventive Dentistry)
• Dental Hygienist Rotation
• Restorative Procedures I (Introduction, Hand Instruments, Handpieces. Accessories and Isolation of Teeth). Restorative and Esthetic Dental Materials. Dental Liners, Bases, Bonding Systems and Dental Cements.  Matrix Systems for restorative dentistry. 
• Prosthodontics I/II (Removable Prosthodontics, Fixed Prosthodontics and Provisional Coverage)
• Endodontics (Root Canals)
• Pediatrics (Pediatric Rotation)
• Oral Surgery (assisting, surgical asepsis, principles of pharmacology)
• Drug and pain control (Opioid Addiction and Drug Seeking, Anesthesia and Pain Control)
• Periodontics
• Impressions (custom, materials, procedures, etc)
• Patient Centered Care:
• Specialty Needs and Medically Compromised Patients
• Medical Emergencies
• Recognizing Oral Pathology
• Nutrition
• Patient Engagement, Education and Motivational Interviewing
• Health Literacy and Access to Care
• Care Coordination/Integration
• Insurance and Billing

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 30 pounds

Must be CPR certified within 60 days of start date and must continuously maintain CPR certification throughout employment. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Fluency in Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Hmong, Lao, Dari, or Pashto 
• Proficiency in working with computerized medical/dental records, Microsoft Word, and other software.
• Attention to detail and persistence in completing tasks.
• Ability to multi-task, organize tasks and prioritize.
• High-level communications skills to work with patients, staff, providers, and outside agencies.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Respects and works with patients and staff from diverse cultures, languages, and backgrounds. 
• Capacity to work on a team and make positive contributions to team efforts. 
• Experience working in a Community Health Center or with clientele who experience many barriers to health care. 
• Experience working in a dental clinic. 
   

CUHCC reserves the right to modify this job description within the parameters of the job classification. This position requires a criminal background check, a negative Mantoux test, and proof of completion of the Hepatitis B vaccination series.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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