Dental Assistant: Help Underserved Communities Thrive

County of San Mateo; San Mateo (CA); On-site; Full time

Job description

Are you a dedicated and motivated Dental Assistant who enjoys being part of a team of professionals who provide exceptional dental care to the community and patients in need? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment where the rewards are many? If so, then the San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) Dental Clinics have an exciting career opportunity for you!

The San Mateo Medical Center operates five dental clinics located in San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City, and Half Moon Bay, along with a Mobile Dental Clinic. These clinics provide dental care for children and adults, including homeless and transitional populations. Pregnant women on Medi-Cal and patients with an HIV diagnosis also receive dental services at these clinics, with coverage available through the Ryan White grant.

All Clinics are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM and some Saturdays and evenings. The Fair Oaks Health Center hosts UCSF dental students, while both the Fair Oaks Health Center and the Mobile Dental Clinic host UOP dental students to aid in patient care.

The Dental Assistant Series levels include:

• Dental Assistant ($29.55 - $36.92 Hourly) is the experienced level class in the Dental Assistant series, competent to independently perform the full range of journey-level dental assisting work under the supervision of a dentist. This class is flexibly staffed with the Registered Dental Assistant, and incumbents may advance to the higher level after obtaining required certification and demonstrating the required proficiency for the higher level.
• Registered Dental Assistant ($34.92 - $43.66 Hourly) is the advanced journey-level classification in the series. Under the supervision of a dentist, incumbents at this level perform dental assisting duties which are limited to a person certified as a Registered Dental Assistant in addition to performing Dental Assistant duties of the lower level.

We are seeking Dental Assistants and Registered Dental Assistants who are motivated and demonstrate the willingness to learn and adapt to new situations. All Dental Assistants and Registered Dental Assistants rotate and should be available to work at any of our dental clinics. Transportation to each work site is the employee's responsibility.

The current vacancies are six, Full-Time, Regular positions and three Part-Time, Extra-Help positions. Spanish speaking is preferred, but not required.

The ideal candidate will be a skilled and compassionate professional with a strong commitment to providing high-quality dental care to underserved communities. This includes children, adults, individuals experiencing homelessness, and patients with complex medical needs. Ideal candidates will also have:

• A valid California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license.
• Proficiency in chairside assisting, digital X-rays, mixing dental materials, and maintaining a sterile environment. Registered Dental Assistants should also be proficient in performing expanded functions within their scope of practice, including coronal polishing, sealant application, fluoride varnish application, and other duties permitted under the California Dental Practice Act.
• Experience using Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems, with a strong preference for EPIC.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while remaining composed when handling patient emergencies or high patient volumes.
• Capability to conduct oral inspections and provide preventive services, including coronal polishing and topical fluoride application.
• Ability to provide chairside assistance in all phases of clinical dentistry, including oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, and other specialized procedures.
• Experience in testing pulp health, fabricating temporary fillings and crowns, and re-cementing dislodged temporary restorations.
• Competency in assisting with the administration of Nitrous sedation.
• Fluency in Spanish (reading, writing, and speaking) is highly desirable.

This role requires a dedicated professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about improving oral health outcomes for diverse and vulnerable populations.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepare patients for examination, treatment or surgery; arrange dental instruments, equipment and accessories on trays; set up medical and dental charts and X-rays.
• Take, develop and mount dental X-rays; maintain cleanliness of the X-ray room.
• Maintain dental/medical records of patient examinations and treatments, dental charts and medical histories; complete insurance forms; schedule return appointments for patients; schedule patients per provider request.
• Maintain office, operatories and equipment in sanitary and orderly condition; clean, oil, and prepare dental equipment for sterilization.
• Mix dental medicaments.
• Follow prescribed procedures in response to patient emergencies during treatment such as gagging, vomiting, convulsions, etc.; clean patients' air passages, remove obstacles from mouth and support head.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Additional duties for Registered Dental Assistant, include, but not limited to:

• Conduct mouth inspections and provide preventative services, including, pit and fissure sealant application, coronal polishing, and topical fluoride application.
• Provide chairside assistance to dental providers in all procedures of clinical dentistry, including. oral surgery, pediatrics, and other procedures as permitted by the California Dental Board for Registered Dental Assistant.
• Under direct supervision, perform pulp vitality testing; and record findings. - Fabricate and cement temporary crowns and place temporary fillings-Under direct supervision, assist in the administration of nitrous oxide sedation (i.e. adjust the flow of gas as directed).

Qualifications

Knowledge of :

• Preparation of patients for examination.
• Methods of use, care and sterilization of instruments and equipment.
• Dental hygiene instruction and prophylaxis or coronal polish (for RDA level)
• Dental X-ray techniques and safety procedures.
• Dental terminology.
• Office procedures and record keeping.

Skill/Ability to :

• Take, develop and evaluate dental X-rays.
• Work tactfully with patients and other personnel under stressful conditions.
• Respond appropriately to patient emergencies during treatment or surgery.

Education and Experience :

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Completion of a course of instruction for dental assistants.

Licensure/Certification :

• Possession of a Certificate of examination for radiation safety from the California Board of Dental Examiners.
• Possession of a Certificate of completion for a course in Basic Life Support as approved by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
• To qualify for the Registered Dental Assistant Level, possession of a valid California License as Registered Dental Assistant issued by the California Board of Dental Examiners.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

Final Filing Date: Monday, August 10, 2026 T 11:59 PM PST

Application Screening Date: Week of August 10, 2026

Civil Service Panel Interview: Week of August 24, 2026

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