Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in California
Surgical Dental Assistant jobs in California are concentrated in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where oral surgery practices, periodontal specialty offices, and multi-specialty dental groups generate consistent demand at every level from entry-level to lead surgical assistant. Large dental service organizations like Aspen Dental, Pacific Dental Services, and Western Dental maintain deep California footprints and post regularly for surgical assistants skilled in extractions, implant placement support, and IV sedation monitoring. California is among the most active markets in the country for this specialty. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Rotating - 08 Hour (United States of America) This is a Stanford Health Care job.
A Brief Overview
Under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse, and in accordance with Hospital policies and procedures, the Nursing Assistant (NA) provides basic direct and indirect care as a member of the patient care team. The direct patient care activities are related to the following: measuring, recording and reporting patient information, provision of or assistance with activities of daily living, and simple treatments and procedures. The NA recognizes and addresses age appropriate and cultural needs when caring for patients. In addition, the NA assists in maintaining the patient and unit environment in a clean, orderly condition. The NA communicates changes on the status of the patient to the RN or in the RN's absence the resource nurse.
Locations
Stanford Health Care
What you will do
- Accurately observes, records and reports patient information.
- Adheres to the standards of nursing care and the policies and procedures of the Hospital and Department of Patient Care Services.
- Assesses and documents vital signs on stable patients requiring vital signs. Stable is defined as patients that require vital signs no more often than every 4 hours. The initial set of admission vital signs has been completed by the RN.
- Assists patient with and/or provides efficient care related to activities of daily living as assigned.
- Carries out responsibilities following safety guidelines for self, patient, visitors and employees.
- Completes orientation program and participates in learning activities to maintain and improve knowledge skills.
- Considers age-specific needs when interacting with patients and families. Effectively communicates and interacts with patients, families, staff and members of the community from diverse backgrounds.
- Contributes in a positive manner to the unit, department and hospital goals.
- Demonstrates effective communication skills, especially in stressful situations. Communicates in a compassionate manner, is patient and courteous utilizing active listening skills as well as helping to maintain a quiet patient care environment.
- Dresses appropriately and wears name badge.
- Ensures patient identification and an allergy band is on patient at all times.
- Follows unit and departmental guidelines relate to staffing and scheduling.
- Helps ensure that areas and halls are child-proof (LPCH only).
- Maintains a clean orderly and safe environment. Orders and maintains equipment and supplies for the desk area and unit, maintains clean work areas and halls.
- May provide break relief or assistance to the unit clerk as needed and if applicable.
- On certain units, after cross-training in the area of rehabilitation activities, assists patients with and/or provides efficient care related to rehabilitative activities as delegated and supervised by a Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapist.
- Orients patient and family to environment.
- Performs routine patient care (hygiene, nutrition, elimination, measuring I/O's) utilizing universal precautions under the direction and supervision of a RN as assigned. Note: On selected units, with Patient Care Manager approval, may perform specific skills after documented instruction.
- Provides sitter duties when needed for a patient.
- Recognizes and provides age-appropriate care based on the needs of the patient and family.
- Responds appropriately in actual or potential emergency events. Notifies appropriate personnel, communicates with other personnel to ensure delivery of immediate care needs and intervenes as necessary with families and staff by working with appropriate interdisciplinary team members.
- Responds to alarms appropriately and reports to RN when alarms are outside of parameters.
- Responds to customer / staff needs in a prompt attentive manner. Handles messages appropriately using communication etiquette, notifies Resource Nurse and others of patient flow (admissions, transfers, discharges).
- Stocks room with supplies and other items as needed.
- Supports family centered care in their everyday work (LPCH only).
- Transfers patients to off unit procedures according to transport policy.
- Uses the computerized electronic health record in accordance with job requirements and hospital policies and procedures.
Education Qualifications
- None required.
Experience Qualifications
- None required.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to accurately, completely, and independently perform the reading, writing, and arithmetic required by the job.
- Ability to be patient and courteous and use active listening skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, and families, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to demonstrate customer service skills in interactions with all patients, families and staff, including high volume and stressful situations.
- Ability to learn standard nursing procedures used in patient care; elicit information related to patient symptoms.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Ability to provide appropriate care based on the needs of the specific individuals, including age.
- Ability to solve problems effectively using appropriate resources; is productive in workflow, skills, and organization.
- Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English effectively at a level appropriate for the job.
- Ability to take and record patients' vital signs.
- Ability to transport patients as needed for admission, discharge, procedures, etc.
- Knowledge of basic principles, methods, medical terminology, and procedures of nursing aide work as applied to patient care.
- Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional area.
- Knowledge of standard asepsis, hygiene, and infection control procedures.
- Knowledge of standard charting procedures.
- Knowledge of standard instruments and equipment used in routine patient examinations and treatment.
Licenses and Certifications BLS - Basic Life Support
These principles apply to ALL employees:
SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience
Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families. Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients, families and towards each other. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford’s patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions. Simply put, we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health, healing and recovery.
You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars, from the patient and family’s perspective:
- Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care
- Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health
- Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination
Equal Opportunity Employer Stanford Health Care (SHC) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, SHC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.
Base Pay Scale: Generally starting at $34.96 - $39.20 per hourThe salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. This pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage.
See All 308+ Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in California
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Find JobsSurgical Dental Assistant Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Surgical Dental Assistant Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sutter Health16

- SCA Health15

- CommonSpirit Health15

- University of Southern California12

- Providence11

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services38
- Education19
- Government & Public Sector4
- Medical Devices3
- Science & Research3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in surgical dental assistant jobs across California.
- Active Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license issued by the California Dental Board
- Hands-on experience assisting with oral surgery or other surgical dental procedures
- Current CPR and Basic Life Support certification from an accredited provider
- Knowledge of sterilization protocols, infection control standards, and OSHA compliance
- Familiarity with dental imaging systems and surgical instrument setup and breakdown
- Strong patient communication skills and ability to work in a fast-paced surgical environment
Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a surgical dental assistant in California?
You become a surgical dental assistant in California by earning a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license through the Dental Board of California, which requires completing an accredited dental assisting program and passing the written and law exams. Once licensed, you can pursue additional training in surgical procedures, IV sedation monitoring, and implant assisting. Many California oral surgery and periodontal practices provide on-the-job surgical training to RDAs who already hold a valid state license.
Which companies hire surgical dental assistants in California?
California surgical dental assistant roles are posted by Sutter Health, SCA Health, and CommonSpirit Health and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. California's large dental service organizations and independently owned oral surgery and periodontal specialty practices across the state are consistent sources of surgical dental assistant openings throughout the year.
Which California cities have the most surgical dental assistant jobs?
Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco have the most surgical dental assistant openings in California. Los Angeles and the broader Southern California market account for the largest volume due to its population size and concentration of multi-specialty dental groups and hospital-affiliated oral surgery programs, while the Bay Area's high density of specialty practices and San Diego's growing healthcare sector round out the top hiring markets.
Are there remote surgical dental assistant jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 13% of surgical dental assistant openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, because the core duties require direct patient contact in a clinical setting. The small share of remote-eligible work typically involves tasks like scheduling coordination, insurance pre-authorization, or patient follow-up communications attached to a primarily on-site position.
How can I get hired as a surgical dental assistant in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is obtaining your California RDA license first, then applying to general dentistry positions at large dental service organizations like Pacific Dental Services or Western Dental, which regularly bring on newly licensed assistants and rotate them through specialty departments including oral surgery. Community college dental assisting programs throughout California often have clinic partnerships that provide surgical exposure before graduation. Pursuing an X-ray license and a CPR certification before applying gives candidates a clear edge when competing for first roles.
Where can I find and apply to surgical dental assistant jobs in California?
You can find and apply to surgical dental assistant jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 308+ Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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