Registered Dental Assistant (Temporary)

About the role

This is a temporary full-time Registered Dental Assistant position with an anticipated end of assignment in November 2026.

Responsibilities

• Provides high-quality dental hygiene within the scope of service consistent with accepted standards of care by assessing dental conditions and risk, using patient screening procedures, including medical history review, dental & perio-charting, and taking patient vital signs, as required
• Documents dental history of chief complaint; records and reports pertinent observations and patient reactions to dental staff, as appropriate
• Provides chair-side assistance to the dentist in the performance of special tests, procedures, and complex treatments
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse development during treatment of patients
• Evaluates patients and implements treatment regimens under the supervision of the dentist
• Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established dental hygienist procedures, such as cleaning, polishing, x-rays, application of sealants, fluorides, and varnishes, making impressions of patients' teeth for study casts and related procedures
• Provides complete documentation of all findings, treatments, and outcomes
• Initiates oral health education and prevention activities
• Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients; performs patient education and risk protocols, discharge planning, and patient/family teaching under the supervision of a dentist
• Documents lab procedures and ensure follow-up on results
• Reviews and interprets patient dental records
• Assists in the preparation of patient care areas, patient admissions, transfers, and discharge processes, as required
• Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of dental equipment and patient rooms
• Prepares reports and assists with patient reception, telephone calls, routine triage, and other office duties, as needed
• Impacts patient experiences by demonstrating courteous and helpful behavior and a commitment to accuracy
• Provides support to Mobile Dental Services, including traveling to offsite locations to provide services

Requirements

• High school diploma/GED required
• Valid CA Registered Dental Assistant license required
• Valid X-Ray license required
• Valid CA driver's license and proof of auto insurance required
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through an American Heart Association (AHA)-approved source is required upon hire and must be maintained as a condition of employment. AHA-approved courses include an in-person, hands-on skills check with a certified instructor using a mannequin to demonstrate CPR and emergency response techniques. Online-only BLS courses without a live skills check do not meet this requirement.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) or (English/Arabic) preferred
• One year of registered dental assisting or related experience preferred
• This position may require a valid CA driver's license and proof of current auto insurance. Any travel outside of the assigned home site must receive prior authorization from Human Resources.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including superior composition, typing and proofreading skills
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• Knowledgeable about and experience with dental hygiene protocol and procedures
• Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Excellent planning and organizational ability
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently
• Ability to work with highly confidential information in a professional and ethical manner
• Ability to lift/carry 20 lbs/weight
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Follow all safety procedures as outlined in Neighborhood Healthcare's Illness and Injury Prevention Plan (IIPP) and report any injuries and/or unsafe conditions immediately
• Maintain current knowledge of policies and procedures as they relate to safe work practices
• Follow all safety procedures and report unsafe conditions
• Use appropriate body mechanics to ensure an injury free environment
• Be familiar with location of nearest fire extinguisher and emergency exits
• Follow all infection control procedures including blood-borne pathogen protocols
• Maintain privacy of all patient, employee and volunteer information and access such information only on a need-to-know basis for business purposes
• Comply with all regulations regarding corporate integrity and security obligations
• Report all behavior and/or activity that are unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful

Pay

$27.21 - $38.10 per hour, depending on experience (DOE). The posted salary range reflects the designated pay grade for this position. While this range represents the broader classification of the role, actual compensation will be based on several factors, including but not limited to: the candidate's overall knowledge, skills, and experience, market data and industry benchmarks, internal equity within the organization, budgetary considerations and organizational needs. As a result, placement within the range is not guaranteed, and the full pay grade range may not be utilized.