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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Overview

Open roles308+
Top employerSutter Health
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring100
Work type87% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 308+ Surgical Dental Assistant jobs

Stanford Health Care
Nursing Assistant II - Surgical Services/PACU Multi Site - (Full-Time, 8-Hour Rotating Shifts)
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Stanford Health Care
New 10h ago
Nursing Assistant II - Surgical Services/PACU Multi Site - (Full-Time, 8-Hour Rotating Shifts)
Stanford Health Care
Palo Alto, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$34.96 - $39.2/hr
BLS Certification
10,000+

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Scripps Health
PCA/ Nurse Assistant - Neuro Surgical Trauma ICU - La Jolla - Nights
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Scripps Health
New 11h ago
PCA/ Nurse Assistant - Neuro Surgical Trauma ICU - La Jolla - Nights
Scripps Health
La Jolla, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$25.48 - $30.89/hr
On-Site
BLS Certification
10,000+

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Providence
RN - Medical Surgical
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Providence
New 13h ago
RN - Medical Surgical
Providence
Orange, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$54.05 - $83.9/hr
On-Site
BLS Certification
10,000+

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CommonSpirit Health
RN Surgical ICU
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CommonSpirit Health
New 20h ago
RN Surgical ICU
CommonSpirit Health
Stockton, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$66.31 - $86.01/hr
BLS Certification

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Sutter Health
Registered Nurse I, Medical Surgical Unit
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Sutter Health
New 20h ago
Registered Nurse I, Medical Surgical Unit
Sutter Health
San Francisco, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
BLS Certification
10,000+

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Surgical Dental Assistant Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Sacramento
17 jobs
San Francisco
15 jobs
Orange
12 jobs
Anaheim
9 jobs
Oakland
9 jobs
La Jolla
8 jobs
Riverside
7 jobs

Surgical Dental Assistant Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Sutter Health
    Sutter Health16
  • SCA Health
    SCA Health15
  • CommonSpirit Health
    CommonSpirit Health15
  • University of Southern California
    University of Southern California12
  • Providence
    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

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