VDC Dental Assistant

DENTAL AST (009199)

UCPath Position ID: MI-DPT136500-JC009199-PD168181

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

600896

Approved Date:

6/12/2026 5:48:14 PM

Date Last Edited:

6/12/2026 5:48:11 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

6/19/2009

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

2100O

Organization:

DENTISTRY                              

Division Code:

2110D

Division:

CLINICAL                               

Department:

136500 - DENTAL CLINIC-OFF CAMPUS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

MI-DPT136500-JC009199-PD168181

Position Description ID

168181

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:

40093216

Reports to Payroll Title:

AMBUL CARE PATIENT 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

The UCLA School of Dentistry seeks a Dental Assistant for its 27-chair community clinic, the Wilson-Jennings-Bloomfield UCLA Venice Dental Center. The clinic is divided into 4 primary areas: (1) pre-doctoral and post-doctoral clinic for student dentists and trainee/resident dentists, including hygiene students and new patient screenings; (2) Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Clinic for AEGD residents; (3) Pediatric Dentistry Clinic for pediatric dentistry residents and dental students on pediatric dentistry rotations; and (4) Faculty Practice Clinic for faculty member(s) seeing patients. The Dental Assistant will likely have a primary work assignment in one of the areas but may be assigned as needed to other areas in accordance with operational need. The DA will have clinic/chairside duties and administrative duties. As part of the clinic/chairside duties there will be general chairside dental assisting duties, duties related to x-rays, sterilization duties, infection control duties and general stocking/ordering duties. As part of the administrative duties, the DA will need to monitor charge documentation, verify that procedure matches charge, maintain logs, manage inventory, prepare orders and assist with inventory.

Aspiring to be a community of faculty, staff, students and patients, where a sense of belonging and respect is felt by all, is a culture that’s deeply ingrained into our daily actions. And encouraging an environment of engagement and productive dialogue helps to foster our core values of compassion, tolerance, and mutual respect.

CLINIC & ASSISTING DUTIES

1.GENERAL DUTIES 

a. Prepare clinic operatories for procedures following all accepted infection control protocols.

b. Ensure that operatories and clinic are sufficiently stocked with necessary supplies.

c. After the patient checks-in (including payment for planned procedure), escort the patient to the assigned operatory.

d. Prepare operatory and supply instruments and/or nitrous oxide equipment as instructed or as anticipated in light of planned treatment.

e. Provide four-handed dentistry as instructed by supervisor.

f. During the treatment, confirm consistency between the procedure in progress and paid procedure. If the payment does not match the procedure, inform the provider that the patient needs to return to the cashier.

g. Monitor blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiration of patients.

h. Observe students and residents to ensure that they are adhering to strict principles of cleanliness and infection control. Advise supervisor regarding any areas or issues of concern/non-compliance.

i. Following treatment, escort patient to check out window for scheduling of next appointment and adjustment to payments.

j. Clean, disinfect, and prepare operatories, equipment, and evacuation systems after each patient; maintain infection control standards and properly dispose of contaminated materials.

k. Ensure instruments and equipment are sterilized; monitor, test, and document sterilization processes, ensuring proper functionality and compliance with established indicators and record keeping requirements.

and compliance indicators.

l. Maintain operatory equipment in good working condition, report issues, and monitor nitrous oxide and oxygen tank levels, coordinating orders as needed.

m. Take dental radiographs, scans and imaging as directed by supervisor

n. Prepare, send and process received laboratory cases as instructed by supervisor.

o. Provide guidance, as directed by supervisor, to dental assisting interns and students.

p. Respond to patient medical emergencies by following clinic procedures, contacting emergency response services, and providing oxygen tanks and other emergency equipment as required.

q. Perform front office and administrative support duties, including answering phones, scheduling patients, and assisting with end of year inventory audits.

r. Perform other related duties as assigned.

2. X-RAYS

a. Take x-rays as assigned by supervisor and faculty as well as on a rotational basis,

b. Take, upload and present x-rays and scans to screening faculty, residents and students.

c. Maintain log of x-rays taken in x-ray book.

d. Enter x-ray charges in computer management system.

e. Obtain signature of faculty/attending dentist on all taken x-rays.

f. Create IT help tickets for any x-ray or other software issues and ensure that issues are resolved in a timely manner so as not to impact other users and patients.

3. STERILIZATION OF INSTRUMENTS

a. Clean, package, and sterilize instruments and trays used by faculty, residents, and students, including assembling instruments into procedure ready trays for clinical use in accordance with infection control protocols.

b. Prep and monitor sterilization equipment, ensuring proper solution levels, temperatures, pressure gauges, and cycle indicators are within required standards prior to and during sterilization processes.

c. Maintain sterilization equipment by performing routine daily care, monitoring performance, and reporting or coordinating necessary repairs to ensure continued safe operation.

d. Store sterilized instruments and trays in designated cabinets, ensuring proper labeling, and readiness for clinical use.

e. Manage linens and related supplies, ensuring proper packaging, storage, and handling before and after turnover to cleaners.

f. As assigned maintain sterilization area and assist all clinics and providers with sterilization requests.

85%

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

1. During each appointment, verify appropriate charge documentation and patient payment by checking routing slips and/or computer system entries for assigned clinic(s).

2. Thirty minutes prior to the end of each clinic session, log into computer system to ensure that providers have entered notes, procedure codes and obtained appropriate faculty sign off.

3. Maintain MSDS log and documentation in accordance with established practice.

4.Perform and log weekly cleaning of traps and water line.

5. Manage inventory and prepare orders for appropriate

signature. Each clinic may have its own process. Consult with supervisor as

appropriate regarding concerns with inventory levels.

6. At least annually or as directed by supervisor and Dentistry Finance, participate in complete logging of supply and equipment inventory. 

7. Assist with orientation of new employees, dental students, residents, faculty, interns, etc., as requested by supervisor.

8. Assist front office as required.

9. Other duties as may be assigned by supervisor or Dental Center Director from time to time.

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

Possession of coronal polishing certificate.

Preferred

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.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

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:

Other University Setting(s)

Location:

Wilson-Jennings-Bloomfield UCLA Venice Dental Center

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.