Dental Assistant

Los Angeles, CAFull-time$22.5/hrPosted Jul 23, 2026

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. This is a 12 month fixed term position.

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.
Bilingual English/ Spanish speaker preferred.

Compensation

Salary Range: $22.50/hr

The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.

Provides both administrative and comprehensive skilled chair-side assisting services for patients during dental treatment procedures for clinical faculty, doctoral dental students, and post-doctoral students in clinical units(s) and/or affiliated practices. Works independently with minimal technical guidance. May lead other dental assists.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. 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.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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