Dental Assistant 2

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

About The Position

The UW Department of Orthodontics is hiring a Dental Assistant 2 to assist graduate orthodontic residents and faculty in clinical patient treatment. Reporting to the clinic manager, this role provides orthodontic chairside assistance and patient instruction, maintains patient records and diagnostic materials, coordinates scheduling and clinic flow, prepares and sterilizes instruments, manages supplies, supports orthodontic laboratory work, and contributes to general clinic and educational operations. The position is full-time, regular, contract classified, overtime eligible, and represented by SEIU Local 925. Work takes place in a clinical dental office with frequent patient contact. The role involves assisting with orthodontic procedures, preparing and sterilizing instruments, maintaining infection-control standards, and spending extended periods standing and/or sitting. The environment can be fast-paced and requires careful attention to safety and patient comfort.

Requirements

Completion of an accredited dental assistant training program and current Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification, or ability to obtain certification within six months; one year of additional dental assistant experience may substitute for the required education.
Two years of experience as an orthodontic dental assistant.
Registration with the State of Washington as a Dental Assistant.
Ability to meet legal requirements for licensure, certification, and/or registration applicable to the position.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of orthodontic terminology and procedures, Angle’s occlusal classifications, and orthodontic tooth numbering systems (Palmer notation).
Experience with temporary anchorage devices (TADs), minor surgical procedures, and soft tissue laser procedures.

Responsibilities

Prepare patients for planned procedures and communicate appliance and oral hygiene status to the orthodontic resident.
Assess and document patients’ oral hygiene and instruct them on oral hygiene techniques, appliance and elastic wear, appliance care, and cooperation.
Perform orthodontic clinical procedures as permitted by licensure and directed by the resident or instructor, including arch-wire and bracket tasks, separator and elastomeric chain placement or removal, tooth polishing, and band or bracket removal.
Assist with bonding and banding procedures, provide chairside assistance, and pass orthodontic instruments.
Deliver orthodontic appliances, including Invisalign appliances and composite attachments, and provide patient instructions.
Retrieve, enter, update, and maintain patient information in the electronic dental record.
Obtain, expose, and save patient records and diagnostic materials, including radiographic images, photographs, digital scans, and alginate impressions.
Schedule patient appointments and recall visits using appropriate software; monitor arrivals and assist with patient flow and graduate student appointment coordination.
Assist with pre-doctoral orthodontics clerkship activities as required.
Prepare clinical units for patient care, including cleaning, stocking, organizing, and starting chairside computers and required programs.
Sterilize, prepare, and set up instruments and equipment; monitor sterilization and complete required spore testing.
Maintain inventory of clinical supplies and patient instructional materials and assist with product distribution and quantity control.
Maintain clinic lab coat laundry service and support general clinic cleanliness and readiness.
Pour, trim, finish, and polish study models; fabricate orthodontic appliances, apply acrylic, and perform other directed laboratory procedures.
Organize and maintain study models, laboratory materials, appliances, and related records.
Provide instruction and guidance on orthodontic procedures to department staff, graduate students, residents, and other personnel as appropriate.
Support clinic operations through telephone coverage, filing, record archiving, and other administrative or operational duties.
Participate in staff meetings and contribute to clinic communication and coordination.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor and/or Clinic Director.