Registered Dental Assistant

JWCH Institute, Inc. is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a mission to provide comprehensive health care to low-income and homeless people in the County of Los Angeles.

For many people, gaining access to dental care isn’t simply a matter of finding the nearest dentist. Some may face language and cultural issues that keep them from connecting with dental providers. Others may lack insurance coverage, transportation or childcare that would make it easier for them to visit the dentist. JWCH works to assist patients with navigating barriers and helping them achieve better oral health and improved overall health outcomes.

This position is responsible for assisting dentists in the direct provision of primary dental care services to patients at the clinic. The Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) also oversees the sterilization, preparation, and inventory control of dental instruments and supplies, ensuring proper infection control in all patient care areas.

In addition to clinical support, the RDA is expected to take on leadership responsibilities, such as mentoring new team members, providing guidance on best practices, and fostering a collaborative work environment. RDAs play a key role in maintaining efficiency within the clinic by proactively identifying and addressing workflow improvements. RDAs are vital members of the JWCH Dental Department and must contribute to fostering a team atmosphere, whether at their assigned clinic or when filling in at other sites.

They are expected to use AIDET as an internal and external customer service tool with both patients and JWCH staff. Given that the JWCH Dental Department includes multiple clinics, all team members must demonstrate strong communication and leadership skills to ensure seamless coordination and high-quality, patient-centered care.

• Serves as a leader in clinical efficiency by assisting the dentist chair-side using four-handed dentistry and ensuring seamless patient flow.
• Assists patients in resolving minor difficulties, answering their questions, and providing directions as authorized by the dentist or hygienist.
• Prepares treatment procedures for patient care according to Dental Department protocols and the dentist’s instructions.
• Completes digital dental radiographs and takes intraoral pictures in accordance with state regulations, laws, and Dental Department protocols.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated by the dentist, such as taking alginate impressions, fabricating temporary crowns, applying dental sealants, and performing coronal polishing in accordance with state regulations, laws, and Department protocols.
• Maintains all Dental Department equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and Dental Department policies and protocols.
• Ensures adequate operation of supplies and compiles a list of shortages for inventory control and ordering purposes.
• Maintains a daily list of all scheduled assigned dentist’s patients, monitors patient flow, and assists the dentist(s) in ensuring that all patient records and documents are properly and accurately completed and filed.
• Receives and places necessary telephone calls related to professional matters, clinical business, and patient care for the Dental Department.
• Ensures the sterility of all reusable dental instruments and equipment in accordance with Dental Department directives and protocols.
• Ensures the proper disposal of contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with Dental Department directives, clinic policies, and state and federal regulations.
• Participates in appropriate health promotion and disease prevention activities, both on-site and off-site as required.
• Maintains compliance with Infection Exposure Control, safety, and HIPAA guidelines as required by local, state, and federal regulations, Dental Department directives and protocols, and clinic policies.
• May be required to perform front office duties such as scheduling and confirming appointments, verifying insurance/other patient eligibility, checking patients in and out, collecting co-pays and balances due, and managing patient flow to reduce…