Dental Assistant

Position/Program Information

Exam Number: Y4745V

Type Of Recruitment: OPEN COMPETITIVE JOB OPPORTUNITY

First Day of Filing: December 6, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. (PST)

Closing: Until the needs of the services are met (subject to closure without prior notice).

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. DHS provides direct care to over 500,000 patients through 23 health centers, four hospitals, and a network of community partner clinics. DHS employs more than 23,000 staff and has an annual budget of over $8.4 billion. For more information, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

DHS is a training site for physicians through affiliations with UCLA, USC, and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences. DHS also operates EMS, the County’s 911 system, Housing for Health, and the Office of Diversion and Re‑entry.

To advance the health of our patients and communities by providing extraordinary care.

Assists a dentist by serving as chair assistant and office clerk.

• Review patient records (when available) and determine needed instruments and materials.
• Pass equipment to the dentist as requested.
• Prepare patient for dental work by seating, adjusting the chair, draping, and reassuring patients, including children.
• Schedule patient appointments and set time intervals based on work type to maximize dentist productivity.
• Operate standard dental radiographic machines (intra‑oral, periapical, bite‑wing, occlusal, cephalometric, panoramic) as directed.
• Place suction tubes in patient’s mouth following dentist instructions.
• Mix filling compounds such as composite and amalgam according to standard practice or dentist preference.
• Maintain patient records, noting type of work performed.
• Take pre‑impressions for dentures for technician duplication.
• Participate in family orientation meetings, providing information on dental services, nutrition, and personal oral hygiene.
• Record stages of work and instruments used during endodontic procedures when the dentist is interrupted.

• Option I: Completion of a Dental Assistant vocational curriculum in an approved school.
• Option II: One (1) year of experience as a dental assistant.

Radioactive Safety License issued by the Dental Board of California or a certificate of compliance from an approved Board course in Radiation Safety. All required licenses must be active and unrestricted.

Light physical effort, including occasional light lifting (up to 10 lb), bending, stooping, or squatting; may involve considerable walking.

• Experience assisting the dentist and dental residents in various settings (emergency room, operating room, inpatient bedside).
• Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (CPR & AED).

Dental Assistant vocational curriculum must be approved by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Certificates must be submitted with the application or within 15 calendar days of filing.

The exam evaluates education, experience, and desired qualifications, weighted 100% based on application information.

Applications processed on an as received basis. Those scoring passing receive a promulgated score and are added to the eligible register for 12 months following promulgation. No one may compete more than once every 12 months.

Appointees may be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Applicants need not provide conviction history unless they receive a contingent offer. The County will assess the relevance of any conviction to job duties, considering mitigating factors. Exempt convictions or court orders need not be disclosed.

The eligible register will be used to fill vacancies throughout DHS as they arise.

Applications must be filed…