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Dental Assistant Temp Jobs (NOW HIRING)

UAB NOVA RENT

Dental Assistant (Temp)

Birmingham, AL · On-site

$16.50/hr

Position Summary The Dental Assistant (Temporary) supports dental providers by assisting with clinical and administrative duties in a fast-paced dental care environment. This role helps ensure ...

Family HealthCare Network

Dental Assistant (Temp)

Hanford, CA · On-site

$17.75 - $23.25/hr

Primary Accountability The Dental Assistant is responsible for preparing the patient for dental ... Take impressions for diagnostic and opposing models, bleaching trays, temporary crowns and bridges ...

Family HealthCare Network

Dental Assistant (Temp)

Woodlake, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $23/hr

Primary Accountability The Dental Assistant is responsible for preparing the patient for dental ... Take impressions for diagnostic and opposing models, bleaching trays, temporary crowns and bridges ...

AltaMed

Dental Assistant - Temp

El Monte, CA · On-site

$25/hr

AltaMed Dental Assistant If you are as passionate about helping those in need as you are about growing your career, consider AltaMed. At AltaMed, your passion for helping others isn't just welcomed ...

NYULMC

Dental Assistant - Temp

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$19 - $24.75/hr

Practice four-handed dentistry. The assistant also assumes the standards of care related to infection control; all OSHA guidelines & safety are upheld at the station they are assigned. The assistant ...

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Dental Assistant Temp information

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How much do dental assistant temp jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for dental assistant temp in the United States is $20.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $22.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Dental Assistant Temp, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Dental Assistant Temp, you need a solid understanding of dental procedures, infection control, and chairside assisting, often supported by a dental assisting certificate or relevant experience. Familiarity with dental practice management software, digital radiography, and sterilization equipment is typically required. Strong organizational skills, adaptability, and effective communication help you integrate quickly and support both patients and dental teams. These skills ensure efficient, high-quality patient care and seamless workflow in varying dental office environments.

What is a Dental Assistant Temp?

A Dental Assistant Temp is a temporary dental assistant who fills in at dental offices when regular staff are unavailable due to vacations, illnesses, or staffing shortages. They perform the same duties as permanent dental assistants, such as preparing patients for procedures, sterilizing instruments, and assisting dentists during treatments. Temp dental assistants are usually hired through staffing agencies or directly by dental offices to ensure continuity of care. They need to quickly adapt to new environments and follow each office’s specific protocols.

What Does a Dental Assistant Temp Do?

Dental assistant temps are non-permanant employees that help dentists with various dental procedures. In this role, your job duties include setting up and cleaning examination rooms, getting patients ready for their procedure, taking x-rays when necessary, gathering appropriate dental tools, and mixing resin and other compounds. Some dental offices may also require dental assistants to help with administrative duties, such as greeting patients when they arrive, explaining dental procedures, verifying billing information, and managing and ordering dental supplies. Dentists rely on dental assistant temps to fill staffing shortages or to help while the office looks for a full-time employee, so these temps often work on-call with several different dental offices.

What are some common challenges dental assistant temps face when adapting to new dental offices?

Dental assistant temps often face the challenge of quickly learning new office protocols, adapting to different dental teams, and becoming familiar with various equipment and software systems. Since each dental practice may have unique workflows and preferences, flexibility and strong communication skills are essential. Temp dental assistants can ease transitions by asking clarifying questions, observing routines, and being proactive about offering help, which helps build rapport with permanent staff and ensures smooth patient care.

What is the difference between Dental Assistant Temp vs Dental Assistant?

AspectDental Assistant TempDental Assistant
CredentialsCertification often preferred but not always requiredCertification typically required (e.g., DANB or CDA)
Work EnvironmentTemporary assignments in various dental officesPermanent or long-term employment in a dental practice
Employer UsageUsed for short-term staffing needsHired for ongoing, full-time or part-time roles
Search IntentCompare temporary vs permanent dental assistant rolesFind permanent dental assistant positions

Dental Assistant Temp roles are short-term positions often filled to cover busy periods or staff absences, requiring similar skills and certifications as permanent Dental Assistants. Permanent Dental Assistants typically hold ongoing employment, with more stability and benefits. Both roles require dental assisting credentials, but temp roles may have more flexible requirements. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right fit for their career goals.

More about Dental Assistant Temp jobs
What cities are hiring for Dental Assistant Temp jobs? Cities with the most Dental Assistant Temp job openings:
What states have the most Dental Assistant Temp jobs? States with the most job openings for Dental Assistant Temp jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Dental Assistant Temp jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Dental Assistant Temp jobs are:
Dental Assistant Temp jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dental Assistant Temp job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,143 per year, or $20.3 per hour.
DENTAL ASSISTANT (TEMP)

DENTAL ASSISTANT (TEMP)

Comprehensive Community Health Centers Inc.

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$22/hr

Temporary

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Description:

DENTAL ASSISTANT (TEMP) JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for assisting the Dentist in the direct provision of primary care dental services to patients of the center. The Dental Assistant is also responsible for sterilization, preparation and inventory control of dental instruments and supplies.

DENTAL ASSISTANT (TEMP) ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Assists patients in resolving minor difficulties, answering their questions and giving directions to patients as authorized by the dentist.
  • Serves as dentist’s chair side assistant.
  • Prepares operatory for patient treatment as per Dental Department protocols and the dentist’s directions.
  • Exposes and develops dental radiographs in accordance with state regulations and law as well as Dental Department directive and protocol.
  • Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by the dentist in accordance with state regulation and law and Dental Department directive and protocol.
  • Maintains Dental Department equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s direction and Dental Department policy and protocol.
  • Maintains all Dental Department areas in compliance with Dental department directives and protocols as well as center policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
  • Maintains adequate operatory supplies and complies a list of individual item shortages for inventory control and ordering purposes.
  • Maintains a list of all Dental Department patients, monitors patient flow, and assists the Dental director, dentist in assuring that all patient records and documents are properly and accurately completed and filed.
  • Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient of the dental department.
  • Insures the sterility of all reusable dental instruments and equipment in accordance with dental department directive and protocol.
  • Insures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with dental department directive, center policy as well as state and federal regulations.
  • Participates in appropriate health promotion / disease prevention activities, both on site and off site as required.
  • As directed by a supervisor, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieved organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.
Requirements:

DENTAL ASSISTANT (TEMP) EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

  • High school diploma or GED certification
  • Proof of completion of the following Board-approved courses: infection control (8 hours), the Dental Practice Act (2 hours), radiation safety (32 hours), Coronal Polishing (12 hours).
  • Current certification in basic life support issued by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the American Safety and Health Institute, the American Dental Association’s Continuing Education Recognition Program, or the Academy of General Dentistry’s Program Approval for Continuing Education
  • At least one year experience in dental office setting preferred but not required
  • For DA: Certified Dental Assistant preferred but not required
  • Bilingual in Spanish/English or Armenian/English preferred but not required

DENTAL ASSISTANT (TEMP) PAY RATE: $22/hr


We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records. In accordance with the ULAC Fair Chance Ordinance, we will not inquire about or consider criminal history until after a candidate has received a copy of their background check report. All applicants will be evaluated based on their qualifications and ability to perform the essential functions of the job. For more information, please refer to LA County Fair Chance Hiring.