Dental Assistant 2

University of Washington Medical Center•Seattle, WA

4d•$45,060 - $60,672•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Washington Department of Orthodontics is hiring a Dental Assistant 2 to assist graduate orthodontic residents and faculty in clinical patient treatment. The position reports to the Clinic Manager and is a full-time, regular, contract-classified role represented by SEIU Local 925. It is overtime eligible and is listed as First Shift. Work takes place in a clinical dental office with frequent patient contact and a fast-paced environment requiring attention to safety and patient comfort. The Dental Assistant prepares patients for orthodontic treatment, assesses and documents oral hygiene, provides patient education, performs permitted orthodontic procedures, and provides chairside assistance. The role also maintains electronic dental records, obtains diagnostic materials and images, schedules appointments, supports patient flow, and coordinates clinic activities. Additional duties include preparing and sterilizing instruments and clinical units, monitoring sterilization, maintaining supplies and general clinic readiness, fabricating and organizing orthodontic appliances and study models, and supporting departmental education and general clinic operations. The position involves extended periods of standing and/or sitting. The Department of Orthodontics is a clinical training program serving patients with predoctoral students, graduate students, and faculty providers. The department describes its approach as collaborative and team-oriented and is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ensuring employees feel valued, respected, and included.

Requirements

Completion of an accredited dental assistant training program, or qualifying substitute experience as specified.
Current certification as a dental assistant (CDA), or ability to obtain it within six months.
Two years of experience as an orthodontic dental assistant; one year of additional dental assistant experience may substitute for required education.
Registration with the State of Washington as a Dental Assistant.
Ability to perform the described patient-care, orthodontic assisting, recordkeeping, sterilization, and clinic support duties.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of orthodontic terminology, 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

Seat and prepare patients for planned procedures and communicate relevant 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 patient cooperation.
Perform permitted orthodontic clinical procedures as directed, including removing and retieing arch wires, checking bands and brackets, ligating arch wires, placing and removing separators and elastomeric chains, polishing teeth, removing bands and brackets, and assisting with bonding and banding.
Pass orthodontic instruments and provide chairside assistance during procedures.
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 radiographs, intraoral and extraoral photographs, digital scans, and alginate impressions.
Schedule patient appointments and recall visits using appropriate software.
Monitor patient arrivals and assist with patient flow and graduate student appointment coordination.
Assist with pre-doctoral orthodontics clerkship activities as required.
Clean, stock, organize, and prepare clinical units for patient care, including starting chairside computers and required programs.
Sterilize, prepare, and set up clinical 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 laundry service for clinic lab coats and support general clinic cleanliness and readiness.
Pour, trim, finish, and polish study models; fabricate orthodontic appliances; apply acrylic; and complete other laboratory procedures as directed.
Organize, file, 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 general clinic operations, including telephone coverage, filing, archiving records, 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.