U

University of Southern California

Research university in Los Angeles, CA

Registered Dental Assistant

Full-TimeUpdated Deadline 11/20/26
$22.50/hr
Entry
Associate's
Los Angeles, CA, USA
In Person
Medical, Clinical & VeterinaryDental

About the job

Requirements
  • Minimum education is high school or equivalent with specialized or technical training.
  • Minimum certifications include a dental assisting diploma certificate, coronal polishing certificate, radiation safety certificate, BLS/CPR, a completed board-approved course in the Dental Practice Act, and a completed board-approved 8-hour course in infection control.
  • Minimum experience is less than 1 year, specified as 0–6 months.
  • Demonstrable working knowledge of HIPAA compliance and dental terminology.
  • Demonstrated excellent interpersonal patient service skills and the ability to multitask.
  • Strong working knowledge of proper sterilization and instrument management techniques.
  • Demonstrated experience in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities
  • Provides administrative and comprehensive chair-side assisting services in a wide variety of general and specialty dental areas for patients during treatment procedures for attending dentists, doctoral dental students, and post-doctoral students in clinical units and affiliated practices.
  • Sets up the treatment and clinical area; organizes and prepares trays; prepares for dental procedures; maintains adequate supply levels in each operatory; prepares patients and assists with dental procedures; prepares and mixes materials; obtains vital signs and monitors patients for complications; cleans up after procedures, disposes of waste appropriately, disinfects the area after each patient, and prepares it for the next patient in accordance with established procedures.
  • Exposes and processes digital radiography or traditional x-rays and practices radiation safety when using dental radiograph equipment.
  • Obtains dental history and records from patients and ensures health histories are updated and scanned into the electronic health record system or recorded in paper charts.
  • Maintains clinical areas and adequate supplies of disposable materials and medications for daily operations; audits patient-care areas for expired materials; maintains a clean and orderly clinic; and sterilizes and disinfects instruments and equipment according to established procedures.
  • Maintains an inventory of dental instruments, equipment, and supplies in the dental operatory; organizes supplies and equipment to minimize loss and maximize utilization; reports equipment malfunctions to the direct supervisor and follows up with repair technicians as needed.
  • Maintains impressions, study models, and other dental appliances.
  • Assists with patient registration, appointment scheduling, billing, filing, scanning, and other related administrative support duties as required.
  • Provides patient education and treatment-planning information as directed by attending faculty providers or students.
  • Assesses emergency situations and provides the appropriate response in accordance with emergency protocols; maintains working knowledge of First Aid and CPR, including Automated External Defibrillator use.
  • Observes students to ensure they follow standards of care, cleanliness, and infection control, and reports non-compliance to the supervisor or faculty.
  • Leads other dental assistants in the supervisor's absence as needed, schedules and oversees work, assists with clinical problem resolution, and maintains attendance records and related administrative documentation as necessary.
Desired Qualifications
  • An Associate's degree.
  • One year of experience.
  • Three months to one year of chair-side experience in a dental environment or private practice in at least one recognized dental discipline, such as general dentistry, prosthodontics, endodontics, or orthodontics.
  • Working knowledge of dental management systems, preferably axiUm.
  • Bilingual verbal and written communication skills in Spanish and English.

About the company

U

University of Southern California

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The University of Southern California is a private research university with academic programs across the arts, sciences, business, engineering, law, health, and other professional fields.

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