Dental Assistant/Client Service Specialist (Riverside)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 16743
Department: Public Health Services
Division: Community Health & Wellness
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: 7/31/2026 11:59 PM Central


Position Description
If you're looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.
About Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.
Our Values:
HCPH embraces a foundation of progressive work anchored by the department's cornerstone values guiding our work to improve community's health and well-being.

• Transparency - We share information openly and honestly so that staff, partners, and the community understand our actions and the reasons behind them.
• Integrity - Our actions reflect strong ethical principles, ensuring we remain trustworthy, accountable, and consistent with our mission.
• Respect - We foster a supportive environment by valuing diverse perspectives, listening intentionally, and treating people with dignity in every interaction.
• Impact - We focus our efforts on activities that improve health, reduce disparities, and create meaningful, measurable outcomes for the communities we serve.
• Collaboration - We actively partner across teams, disciplines, organizations, and communities to align our efforts toward common goals.

Position Overview:

The Client Service Specialist, Dental Assistant, supports patient care services provided by the Dental Clinic. The CSS Dental Assistant is responsible for performing clinical tasks in accordance with all Harris County Public Health (HCPH) and Dental Program protocols. This position will work with the clinical team to create and maintain efficient, patient-centered daily clinic operations while providing comprehensive public health services to all Harris County Public Health Dental Clinic patients seeking dental services.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Receives, screens, interviews clients for eligibility determination, and registers clients; Co-pay collection, and receipt creation following financial services guidelines; prepares daily/weekly financial reconciliation report for submission to finance
• Performs all duties required as part of four handed chairside dental assisting; takes and records vital signs; takes prescribed dental radiographs and/or intraoral photographs; chart patient diagnoses in Dentrix electronic dental record as dictated by dentist
• Answers telephone inquiries from clients and others; screen calls to determine nature and urgency of inquiry, refers calls as appropriate, and/or schedules appointment with dental clinical staff; instructs patient as needed regarding visit-type; confirms scheduled appointments and updates appointment status in Dentrix electronic record
• Performs operatory set-up for each dental patient including barrier placement on high touch areas; procedure set up including instrument and dental material selection according to planned procedure
• Obtains patient histories, and insurance approvals as appropriate, prepares and updates dental charts and associated records; scans all correspondence into Dentrix electronic record
• Performs infection control and instrument sterilization according to dental policies and procedures; performs weekly biologic monitoring for autoclaves; performs daily, weekly and monthly dental preventive maintenance; reports any equipment malfunction or repair needs to the supervising dentist
• Performs in-operatory support for all dental staff during the dental visit as needed
• Provides oral hygiene and post-operative instructions to patients under the guidance of the dentist; Participate in school-based and community events to promote oral health

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you need special services or accommodations, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io

Requirements
Education:

• Texas Registered Dental Assistant

Experience:

• Six (6) months experience in a dental clinical setting as a dental assistant

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Texas Driver's License (upon hire)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Certification

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to work well with public and staff members
• Must use your personal mobile device for our Multifactor Authentication process

Core Competencies:

• Data Analytics and Assessment Skills: Ability to use data to analyze community health needs and support decisions that improve community health outcomes.
• Communication Skills: This competency focuses on using clear and effective communication to engage audiences, address misinformation, and build trust, supporting informed decisions and stronger public health outcomes.
• Health Advancement Skills: This competency focuses on applying principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion to public health, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting fair access to resources for healthier communities.
• Community Partnership Skills: This competency focuses on collaborating with communities to address the systems and policies affecting health, fostering engagement, shared ownership, and sustainable improvements in well-being.
• Public Health Science Skills: This competency focuses on using public health science and evidence-based approaches to develop and improve policies and programs, ensuring effective delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.

NOTE : Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time - regular position.
• Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm but these times may vary due to the variability of an event-based schedule.
• Other days and hours as necessary.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in both a clinical environment as well as in alternative community-based settings, including mobile dental events in different locations throughout Harris County. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and scanners.

Physical Demands:

• Must possess the physical ability and manual dexterity to assist the dentist and dental hygienist with direct patient care in a dental clinical setting.

Work Location:

• Harris County Public Health: Riverside Clinic - 3204 Ennis St, Houston, TX 77004.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01


Do you currently hold a valid Texas Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification?

• Yes, I currently hold a valid Texas RDA certification.
• No, but I am eligible and plan to obtain it before employment.
• No, I hold a dental assistant certification from another state.
• No, I do not hold a dental assistant certification.

02


Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in a dental clinical setting as a dental assistant.(To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than 6 months
• 6 months or more
• I do not have this experience.

03


Please provide details about your verifiable experience in a dental clinical setting as a dental assistant.DO NOT USE "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history.) Please include your (a) Roles, (b) Types of organizations, (c) Scope of duties and responsibilities, (d) Employment dates (ex. MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY). If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
04


This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire). Do you have a Valid Driver's License?

• I have a valid Texas driver's license.
• I have a valid driver's license from another state but can obtain a Texas license upon hire.
• I do not have a valid driver's license.

05


What is the current status of your BLS (Basic Life Support) for Healthcare Providers certification?

• Yes, I currently hold a Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification.
• No, I do not currently hold an active Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification; however, I am willing to obtain it if selected for this role.
• N/A; No certificates

Required Question