DENIED H-1B FY 2025

Registered Dental Assistant

PLEASANT SMILES · Woodland Hills, California

Case #I-200-25022-633172

A Registered Dental Assistant position at PLEASANT SMILES in Woodland Hills, California was filed at $47k per year, offering 0% above the prevailing wage of $47k. The case was denied in 1 days during the FY FY2025 cycle. This position is for new employment.

$47k
Annual Salary
up to $48k
$47k
Prevailing Wage
0.0%
Wage Premium
1
Positions

Filing Details

Case NumberI-200-25022-633172
Case StatusDenied
Visa ClassH-1B
Fiscal YearFY 2025
EmployerPLEASANT SMILES
Employer LocationWoodland Hills, California
Job TitleRegistered Dental Assistant
SOC Code31-909100 – Dental Assistants
WorksiteWoodland Hills, California
Annual Wage$47k – $48k
Prevailing Wage$47k
Wage Premium0.0%
Positions1 (1 new, 0 continued)

Timeline

Jan 22, 2025
Received
Jan 23, 2025
Decision
Jan 27, 2025
Employment Start
Jan 27, 2026
Employment End

Explore More

About This H-1B Filing

This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by PLEASANT SMILES for the position of Registered Dental Assistant in Woodland Hills, California. The offered annual salary is $47k, compared to the prevailing wage of $47k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of 0.0% above the prevailing wage.

The LCA is the first step in the H-1B visa process. Employers must file an LCA with the Department of Labor certifying that they will pay the foreign worker at least the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment. A certified LCA is required before the employer can file an H-1B petition with USCIS.

Case status: Denied. This means the Department of Labor has denied the application, possibly due to wage or documentation issues.

Understanding This LCA Filing

A Labor Condition Application (LCA) is a mandatory document that U.S. employers must file with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) before they can petition for a foreign worker under the H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 visa categories. The LCA process was established under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to protect both foreign and domestic workers by ensuring fair wages and working conditions.

Why Employers File LCAs

When a U.S. company identifies a foreign national to fill a specialty occupation position, they must first obtain DOL certification through the LCA process before filing the H-1B petition (Form I-129) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In this case, PLEASANT SMILES filed LCA case number I-200-25022-633172 to sponsor a Registered Dental Assistant position at their worksite in Woodland Hills, California. By filing this LCA, the employer attests to four key conditions: (1) paying the higher of the actual wage or prevailing wage, (2) providing working conditions that will not adversely affect other similarly employed workers, (3) no strike or lockout at the worksite, and (4) providing notice of the filing to the bargaining representative or posting notice at the worksite.

What Wage Levels Mean

The DOL establishes four wage levels for each occupation and geographic area, representing the progression from entry-level to fully competent workers:

For this filing, the offered wage of $47k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $47k for Dental Assistants positions in the Woodland Hills, California area. The positive wage premium of 0.0% indicates the employer is offering above the DOL-determined average for this occupation and location.

What is Prevailing Wage?

The prevailing wage is the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation in the area of intended employment. The DOL determines prevailing wages using data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employers must pay H-1B workers the higher of the prevailing wage or the actual wage paid to other employees in similar positions at the company. This requirement is designed to prevent employers from using H-1B workers to undercut domestic wages.

How to Interpret This Data

What Denied Means for This Application

A "Denied" status means the DOL has determined that PLEASANT SMILES's LCA did not meet one or more regulatory requirements. Common reasons for denial include: the offered wage falling below the prevailing wage, errors in the application, failure to properly attest to working conditions, or prior violations by the employer. The employer may correct the identified issues and submit a new LCA.

Processing Time

This LCA was received by the DOL on Jan 22, 2025 and a decision was rendered on Jan 23, 2025, a processing time of approximately 1 business day. The standard DOL processing time for LCA applications is 7 to 10 business days. This application was processed within the standard timeframe.

Comparing to Industry Standards

The offered salary of $47k for this Registered Dental Assistant position provides a data point for evaluating compensation trends in H-1B visa sponsorship. When reviewing H-1B salary data, consider that wages vary significantly based on geographic location, employer size, industry sector, and the worker's experience level. This position falls under SOC code 31-909100 (Dental Assistants), which standardizes how the Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies occupations across industries. Metropolitan areas like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle typically command higher salaries due to higher costs of living, while positions in smaller markets may offer lower nominal wages but comparable purchasing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for this Registered Dental Assistant position?

The offered annual salary for this Registered Dental Assistant position at PLEASANT SMILES is $47k to $48k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $47k. The offered wage represents a 0.0% premium over the prevailing wage.

Where is this Registered Dental Assistant job located?

This H-1B filing is for a position located in Woodland Hills, California. The employing company, PLEASANT SMILES, is headquartered in Woodland Hills, California.

What visa type is this filing for?

This Labor Condition Application is filed under the H-1B visa classification. The H-1B visa is designed for specialty occupation workers who possess at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a specific field related to the job.

Who is the employer for this H-1B filing?

The employer for this filing is PLEASANT SMILES, located in Woodland Hills, California. PLEASANT SMILES filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-25022-633172) for a Registered Dental Assistant position during fiscal year FY 2025. View all PLEASANT SMILES H-1B filings.

What does LCA “Denied” mean?

Denied means the U.S. Department of Labor has rejected this Labor Condition Application. Common reasons for denial include offering a wage below the prevailing wage, incomplete documentation, failure to properly attest to working conditions, or prior violations.

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