Dental Assistant Jobs in San Francisco, CA
A Dental Assistant plays a crucial role in the dental industry by assisting dentists during patient procedures, providing patient care and comfort, preparing dental instruments, sterilizing instruments, and performing office management tasks. They also perform laboratory duties such as making dental casts and taking digital x-rays. Their role is vital to the smooth operation of dental clinics and hospitals, ensuring patients receive the highest standard of care and support. Dental Assistants should have excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, adept manual dexterity, and high levels of patience and empathy.
Dental Assistants must have proper certifications, often requiring the completion of an accredited dental assistant program resulting in a certificate or diploma. Some states may require dental assistants to be licensed or registered, involving passing a written or practical exam. Before becoming a Dental Assistant, a person may start their career as a Dental Office Receptionist handling scheduling and billing. Others may begin as a Dental Hygienist, focusing on preventative dental care, or as a Medical Assistant, gaining foundational healthcare skills that can be applied in a dental setting.

- Marin Community Clinic
- San Rafael, CA (14 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 1 day ago
- Marin Community Clinic
- San Rafael, CA (14 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 1 day ago
training in expanded functions....
Front desk and Registered Dental Assistant
- Berkeley, CA (11 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 13 days ago
- Berkeley, CA (11 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 13 days ago
Join our team as a Front desk and Registered Dental Assistant at our Berkeley, CA location! This job has 2 roles....
Dental Assisting Instructor Part-time Temporary Pool
- Kentfield, CA (13 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- moments ago
- Kentfield, CA (13 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- moments ago
Dental Assistant....
polishing, topical fluoride application, and oral health education Qualifications: Dental assistant license or currently attaining one CPR certified Bilingual (English / Cantonese or Mandarin) Compensation...
Registered Dental Assistant University of California - San Francisco Campus and Health United States, California, San Francisco Jun 10, 2025 Registered Dental Assistant OFS Full Time 85052BR Job Summary...
Our GP office, located in financial district of San Francisco is seeking a caring registered dental assistant (RDA) help us care for our patients....
Specialty Dental Assistant Pediatrics
- Pleasant Hill, CA (22 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 5 days ago
- Pleasant Hill, CA (22 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 5 days ago
Dental assistants must work effectively with co-workers including Specialty dental assistants, patients, and the front office by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner....
RDA or Dental Assistant-New Graduates Welcome
- Greenbrae, CA (13 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 5 days ago
- Greenbrae, CA (13 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 5 days ago
To Apply: Please email your resume and a brief introduction to ... with the subject line Dental Assistant Position Greenbrae....
- Oakland, CA (11 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 6 days ago
- Oakland, CA (11 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 6 days ago
Required Licenses/Certifications : Licensed as a Registered Dental Assistant in the State of California; BLS Basic Life Support certification issued by AHA American Heart Association....
GENERAL DENTIST OFFICE ON 19TH AVENUE IS SEEKING A FULL TIME DENTAL ASSISTANT. OFFICE IS WELL ESTABLISHED, EXCELLENT TEAM PLAYERS. PARKING IS FREE AND AMPLE....
- Walnut Creek, CA (19 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 9 days ago
- Walnut Creek, CA (19 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 9 days ago
Our office, EndoCare Group - Walnut Creek, is seeking a talented Dental Assistant to join our busy specialty practice....
Registered Dental Assistant/DA
- San Ramon, CA (22 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 10 days ago
- San Ramon, CA (22 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 10 days ago
Attention all FRIENDLY personalities! Are you looking for a place to call home? Come and join our ever-expanding practice and amazing dental family at Smile Time Dental and Make A Smile! We are...
Registered Dental Assistant - San Francisco Transit Center* *Beautiful office, easy access to public transit!...
- South San Francisco, CA (8 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 10 days ago
- South San Francisco, CA (8 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 10 days ago
Qualifications: Active Registered Dental Assistant licensure in California CPR certification Knowledge of dental procedures, instruments, and terminology....
Adult Education Career Technical Education (CTE) part time/hourly Teacher - Dental Assisting
- Richmond, CA (12 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 11 days ago
- Richmond, CA (12 miles from San Francisco, CA)
- 11 days ago
West Contra Costa Unified School District See attachment on original job posting Letter of interest, ResumeTB ResultsMust hold current certifications in:RadiologyInfection ControlSterilizationCPR...
Demographic Data for San Francisco, CA
Moving to San Francisco, CA? Find some basic demographic data about San Francisco, CA below.
Dental Assistant Online Courses and Training Opportunities
Title Synonyms
Users interested in this job title also searched for the following job titles
Salary for Dental Assistant Jobs in San Francisco, CA
Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Dental Assistant positions.
- X-Ray Certified
- OSHA Certified
- Registered Dental Assistant
- CPR Certified
- Certified Dental Assistant
- DANB Certified
- BLS Certified
- CPR/BLS Certified
- Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
- Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary
- Dental Assistant Certification
- Expanded Duties Dental Assistant
- Nitrous Oxide Certified
Highest Education Level
Dental Assistants in San Francisco, CA offer the following education backgroundQualifications / Skill Sets
The following top skills are often required or desired to land a Dental Assistant position
- Coronal Polishing
- Chairside Assisting
- Dental Prophylaxis
- Periodontics
- Fluoride Treatments
- Sealants
- Temporary Crowns
- Dentrix
- Nitrous Oxide
- Expanded Functions
- Four-Handed Dentistry
- Taking Impressions
- Sealant Placement
- Dentures
- Chair Side Assistance
- Oral Surgery
- Crowns
- Endodontics
- relines
- Dental Terminology
- Ultrasonic Scaling
- Amalgam
- Orthodontics
- iTero Scanning
- Dental Radiography
- Instrument Sterilization
- Treatment Planning
- X-Rays
- Patient Charting
- Surgery
- Sterilization
- Charting
- Infection Control
- Patient Care
- Scheduling Appointments
- Basic Life Support
- HIPAA
- Reimbursement
- Health Care
- Referrals
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- High School Diploma
- Collaboration
- Interpersonal Skills
- Employee Development
- Spanish
- Regulations
- Inventory Management
- Bilingual
- Organization
- Customer Service
- Scheduling
- Communication Skills
Other Career Titles
Here are some other career titles that require similar skills
Dental Assistant Related Career Advice Articles

Dental Assistants vs. Dental Hygienists - What's the Difference?
A comprehensive comparison of the education, credentials, job duties, and salary between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist.
Read article »
Quick Guide to Advanced DANB Certifications
Learn more about the exams, prerequisites, and other requirements needed to earn advanced DANB credentials such as the COA, CPFDA, and CRFDA designations.
Read article »
How to Become a Dental Hygienist in 4 Steps
Interested in a dental hygienist career? Learn how to get started in this rewarding field.
Read article »