Ortho Dental Assistant

Socket.dev; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 32,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) retirement plan with 5% match

PTO 120 hours per year plus holidays

Job summary

Willamette Dental's Lancaster Practice in Salem seeks an orthodontic dental assistant. The role emphasizes patient comfort and requires orthodontic/Invisalign experience, providing chairside support to the orthodontist and performing procedures within state guidelines.

Responsibilities include changing wires and appliances, preparing instruments, taking radiographs, assisting with study models, maintaining sterilization, and ensuring PPE compliance. Travel to other WD locations may be required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required or equivalent.
• Graduation from an ADA accredited dental assisting program preferred.

Responsibilities

• Change orthodontic wires, appliances and other apparatus as directed by the orthodontist.
• Prepare and maintain instruments, equipment and materials for all dental procedures.
• Take dental radiographs and upload to axiUm.
• Take impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts; pour and trim models as needed.
• Maintain sterilization area and ensure PPE compliance.

Skills

Patient care

Sterilization

Orthodontic experience

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

ADA accredited dental assisting program

Tools

axiUm

Dental radiography equipment

Job description

Location: Lancaster Practice (Salem) Position Type: Full-Time (30 Hours) Schedule: 3-10 Hour Shifts Expected Hiring Range: $23.00 to $36.00 per Hour

Position Summary

With emphasis on patient comfort and satisfaction, the orthodontic dental assistant must be proficient with general assisting (orthodontic and/or Invisalign experience preferred) to provide the Orthodontist with assistance in the delivery of dental care and service in order to achieve the best possible treatment for the patient. Perform all dental procedures permitted consistent with the applicable state laws and regulations.

Essential Position Functions

• Change orthodontic wires, appliances and other apparatus’ as directed by the orthodontist.
• Prepare and maintain instruments, equipment and materials for all dental procedures, while ensuring our patients are as relaxed and comfortable as possible.
• Be able to counsel out patients in post-operative care and general oral health, as well as demonstrate an understanding of evidence based dentistry.
• Take dental radiographs and upload to axiUm.
• Ask about the patient’s medical history and take blood pressure and pulse.
• Take impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts; pour and trim patient study models as needed.
• Clean and sterilize all instruments used. These procedures are done in accordance with Company policies and OSHA/WISHA regulations described in the protocol manual.
• Maintain clean and organized sterilization area.
• Wear protective clothing, gloves, masks and eyewear.
• Strict adherence to Willamette Dental’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policy. This includes, but is not limited to the use of N95 respirators and other PPE as required by regulatory bodies and company policy.
• Flexibility to travel to other WD locations within a reasonable range as described in our Travel Policy as needed based on business need.
• Reliable and predictable attendance is essential. Willamette Dental cannot efficiently provide services to our members and patients without our employees being at work at their scheduled work time.

Education and Experience

Required: High School Diploma or GED and credentials to function as a Dental Assistant per state requirements. Desired: Graduation from an ADA accredited dental assisting program or an approved dental assisting program with externship.

Licenses, Certifications and Registrations

• Holds appropriate credentials per state regulations.
• In Oregon – current Oregon certification for Dental Radiology Proficiency.
• Oregon EFODA (Expanded Function Orthodontic Dental Assistant) within 90 days of hire.
• In Washington – Registered Dental Assistant at hire.
• In Idaho – EFDA (Expanded Function Dental Assistant) preferred.
• Sealant certification.
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.

Expected hourly hiring range for this position depending on experience:

$23—$36 USD

Compensation

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to education, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity.

This position is also eligible for incentive pay in accordance with the terms of the Company’s plan.

Company Benefits

Willamette Dental offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• medical
• dental and vision insurance
• tuition reimbursement
• flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) retirement plan with 5% match
• accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• life insurance
• voluntary disability insurance
• commuter benefits
• two complimentary pairs of Fig scrubs (clinical roles)
• employee assistance program

Paid Time Off (PTO): Eligible employees will accrue a minimum of 120 PTO hours per employment year in addition to seven paid holidays annually. The Company’s PTO program combines vacation and sick leave, which is more generous than Washington State’s Sick Leave Law. Employees in part-time roles working less than 40 hours per week will accrue PTO on a pro‑rated basis.

Physical Requirements

The work is primarily performed while sitting and/or standing, but will require occasional walking, bending, stooping and carrying light items such as papers, books, or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and other standard office equipment to complete tasks.

Willamette Dental is an equal opportunity employer.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to an individual’s race (including physical characteristics historically associated with race), religion, color, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, veteran status, disability, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy‑related condition, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position’s scope and function in the company.

This position may be exposed to PHI in the course of his/her duties, and will handle protected information (PHI) in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).