Endodontic Dental Assistant

DENTAL AST (009199)

UCPath Position ID: MI-DPT136000-JC009199-PD168175

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

704058

Approved Date:

10/20/2026 11:59:44 PM

Date Last Edited:

10/20/2026 11:59:42 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

3/8/2024

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

2100O

Organization:

DENTISTRY                              

Division Code:

2110D

Division:

CLINICAL                               

Department:

136000 - DENTAL CLINIC

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

MI-DPT136000-JC009199-PD168175

Position Description ID

168175

UC Payroll Title:

DENTAL AST (009199)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

EX: Patient Care Technical

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40092834

Reports to Payroll Title:

AMBUL CARE ADMSTN SUPV 1

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40061708

Department Head Payroll Title:

DEAN

SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent performs a variety of routine duties within established policies and procedures or by referral to the supervisor’s guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Section Chair, Residency Program Director, attending dentists and Clinic Supervisor, the Dental Assistant will perform dental assisting and administrative functions for the Endodontics predoctoral and postdoctoral clinics. Responsibilities include chairside assisting faculty, residents, and dental students. When not assisting, responsibilities include: sterilization duties including washing dental instruments and equipment; scheduling appointments; responding to telephone inquiries; resolving patient complaints and conflicts; ensure proper billing of endodontic procedures; process all patient billing, including private insurance and Medicare; and follow up on outstanding charges and preparing reports of same.

The caliber of our faculty, staff, and student dentists helps foster a dynamic environment, focused towards the future. Along with our passion and dedication to be among the best in the world, UCLA Dentistry is truly unique. As part of a world-renowned research university, combined with excellent educational programs and clinic training, we believe this is where leaders are made.

CLINICAL DUTIES

1. Assist faculty dentists and dental students set up and assist in all chairside supportive procedures.

2. Follow infection control policies of the School of Dentistry and the Endodontic clinic-specific manual; disinfect operatories (including evacuation systems), sterilize instruments and manage supplies related to patient activities.

3. Properly prepare and load sterilization equipment. Using various indicators, determine if equipment is functioning properly and instruments have been sterilized. Test equipment regularly and keep records.

4. Place necessary supplies for clinic activity in appropriate cubicles.

5. Oversee and assist students and doctors during procedures.

6. Assure compliance of aseptic techniques. Obtain additional supplies as needed.

7. Clean up or assist students with clean up of post-operative cubicle, as necessary.

8. Prepare area for daily activity.

9. Prepare all instruments and sterile supplies for daily schedule.

10. Stock operating rooms and damp dusts shelves.

11. Change graphs and prepare autoclaves for day. Operate autoclaves when necessary ensuring proper functioning by graphs and sterile indicators.

12. Operate evacuator and air syringe during dental procedures.

13. Monitor radiation hygiene standards established by UCLA Radiology and Radiation Safety.

14. Observe students to insure they are adhering to strict principles of cleanliness and infection control reports to Supervisor any areas of non-compliance. 15. Prepare and set up all needed supplies, equipment, and instrumentation required for a specific procedure.

16. Ensure equipment is in proper working order, gas cylinders are adequately full, etc; report malfunctions to tech repair and Chair.

17. Open needed supplies in a sterile fashion, creating and maintaining a sterile field.

18. Set up instrumentation and equipment as dictated by the procedure.

19. Handle all instrumentation in a careful manner and prepare it for cleaning upon completing the procedure.

20. Assist with clean up following the procedures and disposes of all waste, sharps, etc. in an appropriate fashion.

21. Monitor and instruct postdoctoral residents and undergraduate students in taking periapical radiographs.

22. Engage in taking intraoral periapical radiographs on clinic patients, including those that are medically compromised and physically challenged. Check and monitor all endodontic x-ray units; facilitate maintenance and report any possible malfunction. 23. Ensure fresh supply of developing and fixing solutions for proper processing of the radiographs.

55%

REGISTRATION, PATIENT RELATIONS & APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING

1. Serve as primary contact for patients and prospective patients calling for information about the Graduate Endodontics Clinic. In that capacity, answer phones, take messages, retrieve messages and return phone calls regarding Clinic policies and procedures, appointments, billing, etc.

2. Schedule routine and emergency appointments taking care to assign patients to appropriate resident dentists in one of at least 24 appointment slots per day.

3. Contact patients regarding their appointments. When there are cancellations, contact patients on the waiting list.

4. Address patient concerns and conflicts. When unable to resolve issue, contact the Clinic Supervisor and/or Clinic Director to address issue.

15%

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

1. Provide faculty dentists, residents, and dental students with assistance as requested.

2. Assist dentists screening patients for teaching program, assuring that necessary paperwork is completed, daily schedules are followed and patients are informed of clinic policies.

3. Assist in orientation of employees (work-study), volunteers and students.

4. Other duties as may be assigned by Clinic Supervisor, Chair and Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Program Directors.

15%

BILLING & CLAIM MANAGEMENT

1. Ensure proper billing of endodontic procedures and timely collection and recording of patient accounts. As appropriate and/or requested work with the General Clinic billing office to assure same.

2. Verify eligibility and obtain authorization number for each patient visit from applicable insurance company or Denti-Cal prior to patient appointment.

3. Generate care slip which itemizes the anticipated treatment for the appointment.

4. On a routine basis, confirm resident has charged out each visit in accordance with chart notes and that the chart notes are completed in timely fashion. Bring issues of concern to the Clinic Supervisor or Program Director and/or Chair.

5. Follow up on all outstanding claims (Denti-Cal and private insurance) as necessary and appropriately re-bill claims that were improperly denied.

15%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Current California certification as Dental Assistant

Required

California State Radiation Safety license

Required

CPR certificate

Required

Working knowledge of current dental terminology, materials, equipment, procedures, and four-handed dentistry.

Required

Demonstrated knowledge of aseptic technique, infection control, sterilization procedures, and operating room sanitation practices to prevent cross-contamination.

Required

Ability to scrupulously follow sterilization, asepsis, and infection control protocols, including working with infectious disease patients.

Required

Working knowledge of University policies and procedures regarding patient care

Required

Ability to recognize dental and medical emergency situations and respond appropriately.

Required

Strong organizational skills, including setting priorities, managing multiple demands, frequent interruptions, and maintaining professionalism in a high-pressure, crowded environment.

Required

Ability to organize, maintain, and manage inventory of dental instruments, equipment, materials, and supplies, including proper storage of dental materials.

Required

Demonstrated patient relations skills to establish and maintain professional relationships, including managing difficult patients.

Required

Demonstrated verbal and telephone skills to obtain and provide information, explain procedures and policies, schedule patients, and communicate with staff and faculty.

Required

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty members, co-workers, students, patients, and staff.

Required

Demonstrated oral communication skills to collect and relate information to patients, staff, and faculty bilingually in English and Spanish.

Required

Computer skills to effectively learn to utilize computerized scheduling and patient record system.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

TB Test: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory TB test.

COVID and Flu Vaccinations: The position is subject to providing evidence of inoculation.

CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

School of Dentistry

Standing/Walking

X

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

X

Climbing

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 1: Position in which required tasks routinely involve a potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, potential spills, and splashes. Use of appropriate measures is required for every employee in this position.