Dental Assistant

Since 1897, the Ostrow School of Dentistry has shaped talented students into outstanding dentists and dental hygienists. Our challenging clinical education and our expert faculty members provide future oral health professionals with the skills they need in order to become the best.

USC's Ostrow School of Dentistry is seeking a Registered Dental Assistant to serve as a floater with our Advanced Specialty Office and the Undergrad Implant Program.

Some of the duties will include front and back office responsibilities including data entry, admitting 20-30 patients a day, scheduling appointments, confirming appointments, ensuring payments are collected, verifying insurance eligibility, answering all incoming calls, and providing chair-side assisting.

Job Accountabilities:

• Provides both administrative and comprehensive chair-side assisting services in a wide variety of dental general and specialty areas for patients during treatment procedures for attending dentist, doctoral dental students, and post-doctoral students in the clinical unit(s) and/or affiliated practices.
• Sets up the treatment/clinical area for patients. Organizes and prepares trays, sets up for dental procedures and maintains adequate supply levels in each operatory. Preps patient and assists with dental procedures. Prepares and mixes materials. Obtains vital signs and monitors patients for complications. Cleans up following procedure, disposes of all waste in an appropriate fashion, disinfects area after each patient and sets up for next patient in accordance with established procedures.
• Exposes and processes digital radiography or traditional x-rays. Practices radiation safety at all times when using the dental radiographs operators.
• Obtains dental history and records from patient and ensures health history is updated and scanned in electronic health record system or recorded in paper chart.
• Sets up clinical area and keeps disposable materials and medications in adequate supply for daily operations. Performs regular audits to ensure that no expired materials exist in the patient care areas. Maintains a clean and orderly clinic at all times. Sterilizes and disinfects instruments and equipment in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintains an inventory of dental instruments, equipment, and supplies in the dental operatory. Organizes supplies and equipment to minimize loss and maximize utilization. Reports equipment malfunctions to direct supervisor and follows up with repair technicians as needed.
• Maintains impressions, study models, and various other dental appliances.
• Assists with patient registration, appointment scheduling, billing, filing, scanning, and other related administrative support duties as required.
• Provides patient education and treatment planning information as directed by attending faculty providers, or by students.
• Assesses emergency situations and provides necessary and proper response when appropriate in accordance with emergency protocols. Maintains working knowledge of First Aid and CPR (including Automated External Defibrillator use).
• Observes students to ensure they are adhering to strict principles of the standard of care, cleanliness and infection control. Reports any areas of non-compliance to the supervisor and/or faculty.
• Leads other dental assistants in the absence of the supervisor as needed. Schedules and oversees work. Assists with clinical problem resolution as needed. Maintains attendance records and other related administrative documentation, as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time. The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.
• Bilingual English/ Spanish speaker preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education: Associate's Degree

Experience: 6-12 months

Field of Expertise:

Working knowledge of dental management systems, preferably axiUm. Bilingual skills in (Spanish and English) verbal and written communications skills. Demonstrated experience and skills in a variety of dental disciplines.

The Trojan Family Rewards:
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As an equal opportunity employer, USC values and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. The work culture thrives on mutual respect, trust, and constructive collaboration amongst all its members.

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The budgeted hourly rate for this position is $22.50/hr. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

Minimum Education: High school or equivalent Specialized/technical training
Minimum Certifications: Dental Assisting diploma certificate Coronal polishing certificate Radiation Safety certificate BLS/CPR Completed board-approved course in the Dental Practice Act Completed board-approved 8-hour course in Infection Control
Minimum Experience: <1 year 0 - 6 months
Minimum Skills: Demonstrable working knowledge of HIPAA compliance, and dental terminology. Demonstrated excellent interpersonal patient service skills and the ability to multitask. Strong working knowledge of proper sterilization and instrument management techniques. Demonstrated experience in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
Preferred Education: Associate's degree
Preferred Experience: 1 year
Preferred Skills: Three months to one year of chair-side experience in a dental environment or private practice in at least one recognized dental discipline (e.g., general/prosthodontics, endodontics, orthodontics).



Job ID REQ20181085

Posted Date 09/24/2026


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