Are you a dedicated and motivated Dental Assistant who enjoys being part of a team of professionals who provide exceptional dental care to the community and patients in need? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment where the rewards are many? If so, then the San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) Dental Clinics have an exciting career opportunity for you!
 
The San Mateo Medical Center is a healthcare facility that provides primary and comprehensive dental services to underserved populations.  
 
All Clinics are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM and some Saturdays and evenings.
 
The Dental Assistant Series levels include:
Dental Assistant ($26.80 - $33.49 Hourly) is the experienced level class in the Dental Assistant series, competent to independently perform the full range of journey-level dental assisting work under the supervision of a dentist. This class is flexibly staffed with the II level and incumbents may advance to the higher level after obtaining required certification and demonstrating the required proficiency for the II level.
Registered Dental Assistant ($31.68 - $39.60 Hourly) is the advanced journey-level classification in the series. Under the supervision of a dentist, incumbents at this level perform dental assisting duties which are limited to a person certified as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in addition to performing Dental Assistant duties of the lower classification.
 
 The ideal candidate will:

• Be a team player, self-starter, and multi-tasker;
• be capable of scheduling appointments and processing insurance claims, and have pedodontia experience; 
• possess good organizational skills.

We are seeking individuals who are motivated and demonstrate the willingness to learn and adapt to new situations. All Dental Assistants and Registered Dental Assistants rotate and should be available to work at any of our dental clinics. Transportation to each work site is the employee's responsibility. The current vacancies are Part-Time, Extra Help positions. Spanish speaking is preferred, but not required. 
NOTE: This is an extra-help, at-will assignment, paid on an hourly basis. Extra-help hours are dependent on the business needs of the department and therefore work hours may vary from week to week. Extra help employees shall not exceed 1,040 hours of work per fiscal year. Some extra help positions are eligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Extra help employees are not guaranteed permanent status at the end of the assignment.
As an SMMC Dental Assistant, you will:

• Prepare patients for dental treatment.
• Assist the dentist at chairside.
• Mix cements, work with composite, amalgam and impression materials.
• Respond to the oral hygiene needs of a low-income population.
• Take digital x-rays.
• Respond to patient emergencies.
• Maintain office and equipment in a sanitary and orderly condition.
• Enter information into patient's electronic record.
• Triage drop-in patients.
• Gather and complete necessary insurance information and forms.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is completion of a course of instruction for dental assistants.Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a Certificate of examination for radiation safety from the California Board of Dental Examiners.
• Possession of a Certificate of completion for a course in Basic Life Support as approved by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
• To qualify for the II-Level, possession of a valid California License as Registered Dental Assistant issued by the California Board of Dental Examiners.

Knowledge of:

• Preparation of patients for examination.
• Methods of use, care and sterilization of instruments and equipment.
• Dental hygiene instruction and prophylaxis or coronal polish (for RDA level).
• Dental X-ray techniques and safety procedures.
• Dental terminology.
• Office procedures and record keeping.

Skill/Ability to:

• Take, develop and evaluate dental X-rays.
• Work tactfully with patients and other personnel under stressful conditions.
• Respond appropriately to patient emergencies during treatment or surgery.

If you are interested in being considered for these extra help positions, the following materials must be electronically submitted in a Word or PDF format.

• Cover letter
• Resumé
• Copy of the Certificate of examination for radiation safety from the California Board of Dental Examiners.
• Copy of a Certificate of completion for a course in Basic Life Support as approved by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
• Copy of a valid California License as Registered Dental Assistant issued by the California Board of Dental Examiners if applying for the Registered Dental Assistant level.

Please include the words "Dental Assistant/Registered Dental Assistant- Extra Help " in the subject line of the email submission. Please submit the required materials electronically via email to:
Application materials will be reviewed as they are received, and well-qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Apply immediately! These positions could be filled at any time. Do not miss out on this opportunity to work with a great team!
NOTE: Application materials are only accepted via e-mail. Materials sent via regular mail and/or fax will not be accepted. Submittals that do not include all required elements (Resume and responses to the supplemental questions) will not be considered.

 San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities. The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work. 

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.

Analyst: Debbie Kong (05092024) (Dental Assistant I/II - F039/F063)