Our Dental X-ray Technician volunteers are made up of dedicated individuals interested in dentistry and wanting to get more experience with clinical patient care. They are dental x-ray certified in the State of CA and help our dentists in their diagnoses by taking dental radiographs as prescribed

Our volunteers include Pre-Dental, Pre-Hygiene, and Pre-Registered Dental Assistant students along with individuals who are on-the-job trained dental assistants

• Current CPR BLS certification with in-person skills training.

• Recent California Dental Board Approved 8-hour Infection Control Course within last 12 months

• Recent California Dental Board Approved 2-hour Dental Practice Act Course within last 12 months

• California Dental Board Approved Radiology Safety Course

If you do not yet have all the above certifications, please look into our Dental Scribe or Unlicensed Dental Assistant volunteer role

We follow the Dental Board of California's Table of Permitted Duties

Of these allowed duties, at Clinic by the Bay, dental x-ray technicians can expect to participate in:

Exposing dental intraoral radiographs:

• FMX (18 images) taken at new patient appointments

• 4BW/2PA taken at varying recare intervals

• 1BW/1PA at urgent appointments

Infection Control & Sterilization

• Following clinic infection control protocols to: process & sterilize dental instruments, turn over dental operatories

• Preparing and setting up dental procedure trays

Chairside assisting

• Taking blood pressure

• Helping patients update medical history

• Taking intraoral camera photos

• Applying topical fluoride

• Assisting in four handed dentistry - suctioning, passing instruments, retracting

• Charting in Curve Dental Software - periodontal charting, inputting dental notes via templates

Patient education

• Reviewing oral hygiene instructions with patients

Please see our Dental Services page for details about the free dental procedures we provide at Clinic by the Bay

To expand your scope of duties in hands-on dental assisting, you can become a Registered Dental Assistant and obtain a CA license

To provide dental hygiene care, you will need a dental hygiene degree and CA license

To provide dental care, you will need a dental degree and CA license

In addition to our volunteer orientation, you will follow our dental volunteer onboarding

Our Dental Director will provide 1 on 1 training on our clinic protocols, infection control practices, radiography equipment, and volunteer expectations

You'll get to work with all kinds of medical and dental professionals to provide high quality dental care

We begin each 4 hour shift with a brief huddle (9:45am or 1:45pm) where whole dental team reviews team roles and the day's schedule

During the shift you will get the chance to take dental radiographs as prescribed by the attending dentist, assist with direct patient dental care, instrument sterilization, room turnover, and patient education

At the end of the shift the dental team will work together to review the day's care, prepare for the next clinic, and close up for the day

Many of our volunteers want to give back to their community while also participating in patient care

In the case of our dental x-ray technicians, some are newly certified to take dental radiographs and enjoy implementing their skills in a supportive environment

We’re excited to offer an educational opportunity for our volunteers and encourage you to ask the dental team any questions you have to learn more about dentistry