Dental Assistant (DA/RDA)

United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley•Mendota, CA

About The Position

We are recruiting Dental Assistants (DA) and Registered Dental Assistants (RDA) to join a health center. Experienced assistants and new Dental Assistant graduates are welcome, with higher pay offered for Registered Dental Assistants. Dental Assistants provide a positive patient experience and excellent-quality care while working closely with dentists and supervisors. They help keep patients calm, prepare dentists for procedures, and communicate information clearly. They prepare and arrange tools and instruments, hand necessary tools and equipment to providers, assist during treatment, chart findings, change barriers, and sterilize equipment. The role provides prompt dental support, promotes smooth patient flow, collects and records data accurately, and maintains the order of the back office, equipment, and supplies. It supports the organization’s mission to provide health care access to the community and helps ensure patients and families receive care when needed. The position may require flexible or extended hours where necessary. The hourly wage range starts at $22 per hour. Pay depends on knowledge, skills, and experience. Benefits for regular-status employees include medical, dental, and vision insurance with low premium costs, paid time off, paid holidays, a 401(k) plan with matching contribution, educational assistance, employee discounts, and more.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
Completed Dental Assisting training program from an accredited college.
X-ray certificate.
Coronal Polish certificate.
CPR card.
Valid driver’s license.
Able to lift up to 20 pounds and push up to 50 pounds on wheels.
Able to hear staff on the phone and people served in person, and speak clearly to communicate information to patients and staff.
Able to read memos, computer screens, personnel forms, and clinical and administrative documents.
High manual dexterity and ability to reach above shoulder level and to bend, squat, sit, stand, stoop, crouch, reach, kneel, and twist or turn.
Able to quickly build and maintain rapport with patients and providers from differing backgrounds and work as a team player.
Customer-service oriented, flexible, and dependable.
Demonstrated good problem-solving skills and sound judgment.
Effective leadership and supervisory skills.
Familiarity with modern office practices and procedures, including email.
Intermediate computer skills.
Attention to detail and excellent follow-through on work tasks.
Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of 2 years of dental assisting experience is preferred.
Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide prompt dental support and promote smooth patient flow.
Collect and record data accurately.
Maintain the order of the back office, equipment, and supplies.
Help patients and families get the care they need when they need it.
Communicate consistently and openly with the supervisor and all staff.
Work flexible or extended hours where necessary.
Participate in health center in-services and meetings, listening to and respecting others’ ideas.
Abide by rules of confidentiality.
Prepare and arrange tools and instruments for scheduled procedures; hand necessary tools and equipment to providers and assist during treatment.
Chart findings, change barriers, and sterilize equipment.
Help keep patients calm, dentists prepared, and information clearly communicated.