Temporary Dental Assistant (Assignment Expected to End 5/2/26)

Company: Community Health Centers of the Central Coast
Location: Santa Maria
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Job Title: Dental Assistant Department: Dental Reports To: Health Center Manager FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Wage Range that the Company Expects to Pay: Dental Assistant I: $22.50 - $24.81 per hour Dental Assistant II (Registered): $24.00 ? $26.46 per hour Dental Assistant III (RDA Extended Function): $28.00 - $30.87 per hour SUMMARY Under the direct supervision of the Health Center Manager and the general supervision of the Dental Regional Operations Manager, the Dental Assistant (DA) assists the dentist(s) and dental hygienist(s) in providing quality dental care and services. The Dental Assistant is also responsible for sterilization, preparation, and inventory control of dental instruments and supplies. An Unlicensed Dental Assistant may perform basic supportive dental procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist. It is the primary purpose of CHCCC to provide the highest quality of total care possible to the patient population it serves. Such a level of quality depends ultimately on the staff's desire and ability to work together, individually, and as a team. The employee is expected to be professional, punctual, maintain regular attendance, be cooperative, organized, and enthusiastic at all times. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Additional duties may be assigned with or without prior notice. Assists patients in resolving minor difficulties, answering questions, and giving directions as authorized by the dentist or dental hygienist. Takes and records medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients. Serves as dentist?s and/or dental hygienist?s chair-side assistant. Exposes dental radiographs in accordance with state regulations as well as Dental Department directive and protocol. Monitors patient flow and assists the Dental Director, dentist(s), and dental hygienist(s) to ensure that all patient records and documents are properly and accurately completed. Prepares exam rooms by sterilizing and disinfecting instruments, maintains cleanliness per infection control guidelines, and sets up instrument trays. Prepares operatory for patient treatment as per department protocols and dentist or dental hygienist directions. Educates patients in oral hygiene, plaque control programs, and postoperative instructions prescribed by the dentist. Records treatment information in the patient medical record. Assists dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies. Ensures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directive, company policy, and state and federal regulations. Assists in various administrative tasks including but not limited to, scheduling appointments, preparing bills and receiving payment for dental services, completing insurance forms, and maintaining clerical records. Participates in health promotion/disease prevention activities, both on-site and off-site as required. Demonstrates professionalism when calling patients and provides quality customer service using AIDET Standards. Ability to work with high volume of patients, internal/external customers, and deal with frequent changes, delay or unexpected events. Demonstrates adherence to and observes all safety policies and procedures, including infection control rules and regulations. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served (infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults or geriatrics). Demonstrates knowledge of domestic violence, child, and dependent abuse protocols. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and competence. Maintains and adheres to HIPAA, employee confidentiality, and privileged communications (patient, employee, and corporation). For DA II: Dental Assistants registered through the Dental Board of California will be responsible for placing dental sealants, placing temporary fillings, completing out a coronal polish, and fabricating a temporary crown. For DA III: In addition to DA II duties, Dental Assistants in Extended Functions may be required to perform cord retraction of gingival for impression procedures, size and fit endodontic master points and accessory points, take final impressions for permanent indirect restorations, and polish and contour existing amalgam restorations. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no supervisory responsibilities. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High school diploma or GED equivalent is required. Minimum of one (1) year of recent experience in dental care is preferred. Dental Assistant I: Unlicensed Dental Assistants are required to provide proof of completion of a California Board-approved 2 hour course in the California Dental Practice Act and proof of completion of a California Board-approved 8 hour course in Infection Control. Dental Assistant II: Dental Assistants must be registered and possess and maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted RDA license issued by the Dental Board of California. Dental Assistant III: Dental Assistants must be registered and possess and maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted RDA in Extended Functions license issued by the Dental Board of California. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquires or complaints. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of patients or employees of organization. Bilingual in English and another language is preferred, but not required. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. COMPUTER SKILLS Experience with word processing, spreadsheets, email, and keyboarding is required. Microsoft Office and Google Suite skills are required. Working knowledge of EHR is required. Experience in Athena is preferred. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Possession of current, valid, and unrestricted California Driver's License (Class C) is required. A current CPR (BLS-C) card is required. Must obtain a valid CPR card within the first 30 days of employment if not certified at the time of hire. CHC?s CPR Policy will supersede this job description. Dental Assistant II: Dental Assistants must be registered and possess and maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted RDA license issued by the Dental Board of California. Dental Assistant III: Dental Assistants must be registered and possess and maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted RDA in Extended Functions license issued by the Dental Board of California. OTHER REQUIREMENTS Required to pass a criminal history background check and drug screen upon hire. Annual health examination; annual Tuberculosis skin test clearance or chest x-ray; proof of immunity to MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B; proof of Tdap vaccine; during current flu season, must provide proof of influenza vaccine or a signed declination form. If declined, a flu mask is mandatory during flu season. Health screening requirements are subject to change based on CDC recommendations and federal, state, and/or local public health ordinances. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to sit for long periods of time. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to use appropriate body mechanics techniques while chairside assisting. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds of supplies. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is moderate (i.e. office and clinic setting with computers, phones, and printers). Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment. Must be willing to have a flexible work schedule that may include evenings/weekends, and travel as needed. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Keywords: Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, Thousand Oaks , Temporary Dental Assistant (Assignment Expected to End 5/2/26), Healthcare , Santa Maria, California