Registered Dental Assistant

Western University of Health Sciences; Pomona (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA invites a highly qualified Chairside Dental Assistant to join the College of Dental Medicine-Dental Center. The role supports clinical faculty, dental students, and staff, delivering efficient patient care as part of a multidisciplinary team.

The position requires a California RDA license, at least three years of clinical experience, and current Basic Life Support.

Qualifications

• Must be a Registered Dental Assistant in California with a current BLS certification.
• Minimum of three years' experience as a dental assistant in a clinical setting.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; bilingual ability is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Chairside dental assistant duties including operatory setup, infection control, and instrument prep.
• Record patient health histories and manage patient communication during care.
• Support clinic operations: inventory, sterilization, and instrument maintenance.
• Assist faculty and students in four-handed chairside activities and clinic operations.

Skills

Communication

Bilingual (Spanish/English)

EHR systems

Computer literacy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

California RDA license

3+ years as RDA

Tools

Portable dental units

Ultrasonic and sterilization units

Portable imaging units

Electronic health record systems

Job description

Posting Number: S01820

Campus: Patient Care Center-Pomona, CA

Department: 1920-CDM International Student Program

Classification Pay Scale

In compliance with SB 1162, Western University of Health Sciences is providing a pay scale for this position. The pay scale reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for this position. Within this range, the individual pay is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, and work location. Please note that the compensation details listed reflects the base salary only.

Expected Pay Scale

Minimum: $23.07 Hourly

Maximum $23.41 Hourly

Job Summary

To assist clinical faculty, dental students, and other clinical support staff in the provision of oral health care to patients in the College of Dental Medicine Clinics with a primary role at The Dental Center in Pomona. Facilitates the efficient delivery of patient care working as part of a multidisciplinary dental team, with the primary role as chairside dental assistant. Individuals must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must be a Registered Dental Assistant in the State of California; have a minimum of three years' experience as a dental assistant; current Basic Life Support.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to effectively interact with health care professionals, students, and patients. Bilingual ability helpful.

Skills

• Proficient with computers, electronic health record, printers, calculator, fax machine, copy machine operation, electronic mail, video communications programs and telephone operation.


• Experience using portable dental units, ultrasonic and sterilization units, portable imaging units.

Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Ability to interact with administration, faculty, staff, and students effectively and professionally.


• Demonstrate a commitment to working in an organization that values and promotes humanism.

Education

Required Qualifications

• Minimum education: High school diploma or equivalent. Any combination of education, training, or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Experience

• Three or more years of experience as an RDA in a clinic, hospital clinic or dental office.

Licensure And Certification

• Must have current California RDA license and current Basic Life Support certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (Spanish/English)


• Familiar with Denti-cal regulations


• Preference given to those with experience in dental education.

Posting Date: 08/17/2026

Closing Date: 08/17/2027

Essential Job Duties

Chairside dental assistant duties, including: operatory set-up and breakdown; infection control protocols; preparation and maintenance of dental instruments, supplies and equipment for each appointment; collect and record patient health histories; patient communication management; instrument transfer; isolation; dental material handling for all general and specialty dental procedures performed by a general dentist; dental charting; support medical emergencies

Provide basic supportive dental procedures under the direct supervision of a clinical dental faculty member as allowed by the Dental Board of California for Registered Dental Assistants, including, but not limited to: mouth mirror inspection of oral cavity; placement/removal of sedative dressings; taking dental x-rays; taking impressions; application of topical fluoride and other agents; suture removal; assist in administration of nitrous oxide analgesia or sedation; place/remove rubber dams; place/remove wedges and matrices; cure restorative materials; test pulp vitality; size stainless steel crowns; temporary crown fabrication and cementation; application of bleaching agents; and coronal polishing.

Support of clinic operations, including: clinic material, supply and instrument inventory control; quality assessment and maintenance of dental instruments; regular maintenance of clinical equipment as directed; monitors and cleans clinic operatories and support spaces; reporting of equipment failures; maintain/record logs related to quality assurance and equipment operations; instrument sterilization; and instrument/material/equipment dispensing.

Support the administrative clinical staff, including answering phones, patient reception, patient scheduling, dental record review and maintenance, patient registration, and patient billing.

Support the educational mission of the clinical faculty, including role modeling and teaching students how to function as a dental assistant on the dental team, both in four-handed chairside activities and in clinic operation support. Support clinical faculty in teaching students how to function as a dental provider on the dental team.

Participate in required training and mandatory in-services such as BLS, infection control, and HIPAA.

Other duties as assigned. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties for this position. The College of Dental Medicine-Dental Center reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.