About Us:

Smile & Sage Dental is a boutique dental practice opening in Newport Beach in Fall 2026. We combine high-end cosmetic and restorative dentistry with airway and sleep screening, biologic materials, and a whole-body approach to oral health. Our mission is to deliver exceptional, personalized dental care in an environment where every patient feels heard, comfortable, and genuinely cared for. We believe in honest treatment planning, conservative dentistry, and taking the time to educate each patient about their own health so they can make informed decisions. We are committed to building lasting relationships with our patients and providing the same standard of care we would want for our own families. We're looking for a motivated, cross-trained Dental Assistant / Front Office Coordinator. To start, you will be the only team member in the office, so this is a true partnership. In this dual role you'll move between chairside assisting and the front desk, assisting through clinical procedures, managing the schedule, patient communication, insurance, and financial arrangements that keep the practice running. This is a hands-on role for someone who wants ownership of how an office works, not just a task list. With the help of a professional coach you will be instrumental in helping build this practice from the ground up, setting up protocols, systems, and the schedule before our first patient walks in.

Responsibilities:

Manage patient scheduling, appointment confirmations, and follow-up communications to optimize patient flow and enhance patient satisfaction. Handle patient inquiries, registration, insurance verification, and billing processes with accuracy and attention to detail. Assist dental providers during procedures, prepare treatment rooms, sterilize instruments, and provide chairside assistance as needed. Maintain electronic health records (EHR) and ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations and privacy standards. Collaborate with dental team members to facilitate treatment planning, financial arrangements, and insurance claims processing. Support administrative tasks such as inventory management, equipment maintenance, and office organization.

Requirements:

High school diploma or equivalent Current California RDA license strongly preferred — experienced unlicensed dental assistants with a current California Radiation Safety certificate will be considered Current California Radiation Safety (x-ray), Infection Control, and BLS/CPR certifications, or the ability to obtain them before your start date Minimum 2 years of chairside dental assisting experience in a general, cosmetic, or fee-for-service practice Front office experience strongly preferred — scheduling, PPO verification, treatment presentation, claim submission Comfortable with cloud-based practice management software and digital radiography Excellent communication skills and a calm, warm manner with patients Detail-oriented, with a commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance A self-starter who is energized rather than stressed by a brand-new office where the systems are still being built

Pay:

$28.00 - $32.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

Employee discount Opportunities for advancement Paid time off

Work Location:

In person