Dental Assistant Jobs in California
Dental assistant jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand across private dental practices, group dental organizations, and community health clinics at every level from entry-level through lead and senior positions. Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area account for the largest share of openings, with established employers like Heartland Dental, Pacific Dental Services, and Kaiser Permanente maintaining consistent hiring across the state. Orthodontics, oral surgery, and pediatric dentistry are the most sought-after specialties in California listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 86+ Dental Assistant jobs
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
Department: Clinical Care
Schedule: Day Shift
Position Overview
We are currently seeking a compassionate and skilled Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) to join our growing dental care team. The Registered Dental Assistant provides high-quality oral healthcare support to patients and families while assisting dentists during a variety of treatment procedures. This role is essential in ensuring a safe, efficient, and welcoming dental environment for every patient encounter.
Responsibilities:
- Prepare treatment rooms, instruments, and tray setups for dental procedures
- Sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment according to OSHA and office safety standards
- Greet and prepare patients for examinations and procedures
- Assist dentists during treatment and examinations
- Take, develop, and mount dental radiographs (X-rays)
- Record medical histories, dental information, vital signs, and treatment notes
- Educate patients using approved oral health materials
- Support patient satisfaction and office production goals
- Maintain a clean, organized, and professional office
Qualifications
Required
- High School Diploma or GED
- Current Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license
- AHA-BLS or ARC-BLS Certification
Preferred
- Associate’s Degree or Technical Degree
- Previous dental assisting experience in a clinical setting
Contact Recruiter: Send Resume
Barbra
Email: Barbra.p@talentedmedicalsolutions.com
call/text 520-762-6168
Workwolf
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
Department: Clinical Care
Schedule: Day Shift
Position Overview
We are currently seeking a compassionate and skilled Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) to join our growing dental care team. The Registered Dental Assistant provides high-quality oral healthcare support to patients and families while assisting dentists during a variety of treatment procedures. This role is essential in ensuring a safe, efficient, and welcoming dental environment for every patient encounter.
Responsibilities:
- Prepare treatment rooms, instruments, and tray setups for dental procedures
- Sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment according to OSHA and office safety standards
- Greet and prepare patients for examinations and procedures
- Assist dentists during treatment and examinations
- Take, develop, and mount dental radiographs (X-rays)
- Record medical histories, dental information, vital signs, and treatment notes
- Educate patients using approved oral health materials
- Support patient satisfaction and office production goals
- Maintain a clean, organized, and professional office
Qualifications
Required
- High School Diploma or GED
- Current Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license
- AHA-BLS or ARC-BLS Certification
Preferred
- Associate’s Degree or Technical Degree
- Previous dental assisting experience in a clinical setting
Contact Recruiter: Send Resume
Barbra
Email: Barbra.p@talentedmedicalsolutions.com
call/text 520-762-6168
Workwolf
See All 86 Dental Assistant Jobs in California
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Find Dental Assistant JobsDental Assistant Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Dental Assistant Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Family HealthCare Network12
- AltaMed Health Services11
- West Coast Dental Services6
- Western Dental Services5
- Aspen Dental4
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services69
- Non-Profit & Social Services13
- Education7
- Technology & Software7
- Insurance1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in dental assistant jobs across California.
- Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license issued by the Dental Board of California
- Experience with dental radiography and current California radiation safety certificate
- Proficiency with dental practice management software such as Eaglesoft or Dentrix
- Knowledge of infection control protocols and California-mandated sterilization procedures
- Strong patient communication skills in a high-volume California practice setting
- Bilingual fluency in Spanish preferred by many Southern California and Central Valley practices
Dental Assistant Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a dental assistant in California?
Becoming a dental assistant in California requires obtaining a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license from the Dental Board of California. Candidates must complete a board-approved dental assisting program at a California community college or accredited school, then pass the California RDA written and law exams plus a clinical or state board examination. Some California employers will hire unlicensed assistants-in-training, but full patient care duties require the active RDA license.
How much do dental assistants make in California?
Dental assistants in California earn a median of about $50,110 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $38,790 for the lowest 10% to over $73,700 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire dental assistants in California?
Employers hiring dental assistants in California right now include Family HealthCare Network, AltaMed Health Services, and West Coast Dental Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's size supports a wide mix of large group dental companies, federally qualified health centers, and independent private practices, all of which hire at multiple experience levels throughout the year.
Which California cities have the most dental assistant jobs?
The cities with the most dental assistant openings in California are Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Francisco. Los Angeles and San Diego drive volume through their large and densely populated metropolitan areas, while Bay Area cities reflect concentrated demand from well-funded group practices and integrated health systems like Kaiser Permanente headquartered there.
Are there remote dental assistant jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Because dental assisting is a hands-on chairside role, the vast majority of positions require full on-site presence. About 0% of dental assistant openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those tend to be administrative or insurance coordination functions rather than clinical assisting duties.
How can I get hired as a dental assistant in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is enrolling in a California community college dental assisting program, which prepares candidates for the RDA exam and makes graduates competitive for entry-level roles. Large California group practices like Pacific Dental Services and community health clinic networks regularly hire new graduates for dental assistant associate roles. Candidates coming from a dental front-desk, sterilization technician, or orthodontic treatment coordinator background often transition into chairside assisting more easily than those entering from outside dentistry.
Where can I find and apply to dental assistant jobs in California?
You can find and apply to dental assistant jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level, specialty interest, and preferred region of the state, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 86 Dental Assistant Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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