Registered Dental Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) reports directly to the Dental Director and/or Dental Office Manager and is responsible for providing clinical and administrative support to the dental team before, during, and after the delivery of dental services. This role assists providers in delivering high-quality patient care, ensures compliance with applicable dental regulations and infection control standards, supports patient education, and contributes to efficient dental clinic operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily to be successful in this role.

Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

• Prepare treatment rooms, instruments, materials, and equipment for patient care.
• Welcome, prepare, seat, and assist patients throughout dental procedures.
• Assist dentists during examinations and procedures by providing chairside support, instrument transfer, suctioning, and patient management.
• Sterilize, disinfect, and maintain dental instruments and equipment in accordance with infection control standards.
• Expose and process dental radiographs in compliance with state regulations.
• Educate patients regarding oral hygiene, plaque control, preventive care, and post-operative instructions.
• Maintain adequate inventory of dental supplies and notify leadership of replenishment needs.
• Participate in quality improvement, compliance, safety, and infection prevention activities.
• Promote patient satisfaction and provide exceptional customer service to patients and families.
• Cross-train and assist with front office functions, including patient check-in, appointment scheduling, insurance verification, and related administrative duties as needed.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic dental record.

 

Expanded Duties Within California RDA Scope of Practice

• Perform mouth-mirror inspections of the oral cavity, including charting obvious lesions, existing restorations, and missing teeth.
• Apply and activate bleaching agents using approved non-laser light-curing devices.
• Utilize automated caries detection devices and record findings prior to placement of pit and fissure sealants.
• Obtain intraoral images for computer-aided design (CAD) procedures.
• Perform pulp vitality testing and record findings.
• Place bases, liners, etchants, and bonding agents for restorative procedures as permitted by law.
• Chemically prepare teeth for bonding procedures.
• Place, adjust, and finish direct provisional restorations.
• Size stainless steel crowns, temporary crowns, and orthodontic bands.
• Fabricate temporary crowns intra-orally.
• Remove excess cement from supragingival tooth surfaces during orthodontic treatment using approved methods.
• Apply pit and fissure sealants in accordance with California regulations.
• Perform all duties within the scope of practice authorized by the California Dental Practice Act and Dental Board of California regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS 

 

Required Education, Experience, and/or Training

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Current and active Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license issued by the Dental Board of California.
• Successful completion of Board-approved coursework in Radiation Safety.
• Successful completion of Board-approved courses in Infection Control and the California Dental Practice Act.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint clearance, if required.
• Knowledge of dental terminology, dental procedures, instruments, and equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse patient populations while maintaining professionalism, dignity, and respect.

 

Preferred Education, Experience, and/or Training

• Minimum two (2) years of experience as a Registered Dental Assistant.
• Experience working in a community clinic, public health setting, or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
• Experience with electronic dental records.
• Bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish preferred).

EXPECTATIONS

• Adheres to all HarborCHC policies and procedures. 
• Demonstrates HarborCHC’s core values of Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence at all times. 
• Maintains a strong commitment to the mission, policies, goals, and philosophy of HarborCHC. 
• Maintains a positive and respectful attitude in all work-related interactions. 
• Communicates regularly with their immediate supervisor regarding departmental and organizational matters. 
• Reports to work consistently and prepared to perform the duties of the position. 
• Meets productivity standards and performs duties as workload requires. 
• Maintains strict confidentiality of all data and information. 
• Demonstrates integrity and accountability in all duties and responsibilities. 
• Performs all job functions in a professional and courteous manner, including responding to phone calls and emails in a timely manner.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust.

HOURS OF OPERATIONS

HarborCHC is open Monday-Thursday 7:00am-7:00pm, Friday 8:00 am-5:00pm, and Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm.

HR PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Must successfully complete post-offer background screening and verification requirements
• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; additional duties may be assigned

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

HarborCHC does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race; religion; color; sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions); sexual orientation; national origin; ancestry; physical or mental disability; medical condition; genetic information/characteristics ; marital status/registered domestic partner status; age; sexual orientation; reproductive health decision-making; military or veteran status; use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace; and any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. This policy applies whether the individual has or is perceived to have any of the characteristics protected by law or is associated with a person who has or is perceived to have any of the characteristics protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements define this position as it currently exists and are intended to describe the general responsibilities and requirements for this job. They are not to be considered as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements and does not limit the assignment of additional duties at the discretion of the supervisor. HarborCHC is an at-will employer.

In addition, HarborCHC may change your duties, compensation or hours, or transfer, reassign, promote, demote, suspend, or otherwise change the terms and conditions of your employment (other than the at-will relationship), with or without cause or prior notice.

M-F 8:00am-5:00pm (TBD by supervisor)