Dental Assistant I-II-III-IV

La Clinica de La Raza•Union City, CA

About The Position

La Clínica de La Raza is hiring Dental Assistants at levels I–IV to work alongside dentists as members of a care team, including in four-handed dentistry. The role combines technical dental-assisting work with a focus on patient comfort, efficient clinic operations, and a welcoming patient experience. Dental Assistants work in a fast-paced clinical environment, communicate with patients and care-team members, and support quality care across the clinic’s dental services. Responsibilities include preparing patients and treatment rooms, assisting during dental procedures, taking and recording information, maintaining instruments and equipment, providing oral-care instructions, and completing patient records. The role also includes administrative and office duties such as scheduling, registration, payment processing, insurance support, inventory, and equipment maintenance. The scope of clinical duties varies by assistant level and applicable licensure and supervision requirements. La Clínica de La Raza is a community-based health center serving diverse communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. It provides culturally appropriate, accessible health care and operates 35 sites across Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano counties.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
X-ray license.
One to two years of experience as a Dental Assistant.
Certification for required health clearances for healthcare professionals.
Knowledge of basic dental-assisting practices, terminology, and equipment.
Knowledge of dental-office procedures, including scheduling, registration, treatment estimates, and payment collection.
Ability to use modern computer applications and electronic health records.
Knowledge of techniques for cleaning and sterilizing dental equipment, exam rooms, and patient treatment areas.
Ability to work in four-handed dentistry and perform job functions involving continuous movement.
Bilingual proficiency.
Clear and effective written and verbal communication in English, with correct spelling and grammar; ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to work professionally and collaboratively as a team member, support clinic quality and efficiency standards, work across cultures, and demonstrate support for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Flexibility in accepting change and the ability to remain effective in a fast-paced clinic environment.
Ability to perform clerical duties methodically, independently, thoroughly, quickly, and accurately with minimal supervision.
Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, and make accurate mathematical computations.
Availability to participate in Saturday and evening staff rotations.
For DA I procedures, the listed duties must be performed under the specified general or direct supervision of a supervising licensed dentist, and radiography requires a radiographic safety certificate.
For DA II, DA III, and DA IV duties, the applicable registered-dental-assistant licensure and any required board-approved education, courses, permits, or supervision apply.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a Dental Assistant Training Program is preferred for non-licensed Dental Assistant I candidates.
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) qualification for DA II.
Registered Dental Assistant—Extended Function (RDA-EF) qualification for DA III.
Registered Dental Assistant—Extended Function II qualification for DA IV.

Responsibilities

Manage patient flow and ensure dental exam rooms are stocked and ready for patients.
Prepare patients for examinations by taking and recording vital signs and medical and dental histories.
Help patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatment.
Communicate patient requests to the dentist or other dental-care-team members.
Assist the dentist with treatment procedures, including taking dental X-rays.
Clean, sterilize, and maintain instruments and equipment; prepare instruments, materials, and medication for procedures.
Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control, and provide post-treatment oral-care instructions.
Provide prescription information to pharmacies as directed by the dentist.
Record treatment information in electronic dental records.
Communicate and work effectively with providers and other dental-care-team members to support patient care and quality outcomes.
Participate in huddles, staff meetings, team-building activities, assigned development opportunities, and continuing education.
Follow La Clínica’s ethical and professional standards, policies, and procedures.
Perform office duties including scheduling appointments, answering phones, recording provider medical updates, completing insurance forms, registering and greeting patients, and logging arrivals in the electronic system.
Collect and post payments, prepare treatment estimates for review with patients, and run, balance, and close end-of-day reports.
Assist patients with insurance forms.
Inventory supplies; order items and verify receipt of dental, laboratory, or office supplies and equipment.
Maintain equipment by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining supplies, performing preventive maintenance, and arranging repairs.
Perform level-specific dental-assisting procedures under the supervision required for the procedure and license level.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.