Lead Orthodontic Dental Assistant

The Lead Orthodontic Assistant performs the full scope of Orthodontic Dental Assistant duties while serving as the clinical team's day-to-day point of contact and workflow coordinator. The majority of this role's time is spent delivering chairside patient care. In addition, the Lead Orthodontic Assistant coordinates daily chair assignments and clinical scheduling, trains and onboards new clinical team members, reviews and approves clinical timecards, oversees sterilization and infection control, and manages clinical supply inventory.

This position does not have direct staff management responsibilities. Any hiring decisions, performance issues, corrective action, or disciplinary matters will be escalated to the Practice Manager or Regional Manager.

The following is a list of specific duties, which are essential functions of this job. The list is not exhaustive as all duties are subject to change. Note that while the practice may provide an addendum to this job description that outlines some responsibilities specific to the practice needs, it does not replace this job description. While an effort has been made to thoroughly describe the customary way this job is performed, reasonable accommodation will be made upon notification, for qualified individuals with disabilities who may not be able to perform the job in the manner indicated.

• Assist the orthodontist during procedures, including placing braces, adjusting wires, and delivering aligners, within the scope of practice permitted by the applicable state dental board for the employee's credential level and the required level of dentist supervision.
• Prepare and sterilize orthodontic instruments and equipment; monitor sterilizer function and maintain spore testing and monitoring logs.
• Fabricate and fit orthodontic appliances, such as retainers and space maintainers, under the orthodontist's direction.
• Remove braces, wires, and bands as needed.
• Take digital radiographs, photographs, and diagnostic records for treatment assessment, where permitted by state credentialing requirements.
• Prepare tray setups for orthodontic procedures and ensure proper supply management at each chair.
• Maintain accurate patient records, chart treatment progress, and enter clinical documentation timely and accurately in the practice management system.
• Educate patients on general oral health and on oral hygiene techniques specific to orthodontic care, as directed by the orthodontist.
• Maintain cleanliness and infection control standards in each operatory.

• Coordinate daily chair assignments and clinical staff scheduling to match provider schedules and patient volume, adjusting assignments as the schedule changes throughout the day.
• Coordinate clinical time-off and coverage requests, escalating conflicts and approval decisions to the Practice Manager.
• Serve as the first point of contact for clinical staff questions regarding procedures, protocols, systems, and day-to-day operations.
• Train and onboard new orthodontic assistants, deliver clinical orientation, and verify completion of training checklists and clinical competency sign-offs.
• Maintain clinical standard operating procedures, tray setup standards, and checklists.
• Ensure clinical team members receive all meal and rest periods required by applicable state law and BOND policy, and arrange chair coverage so those periods can be taken.
• Never direct, encourage, or permit a clinical team member to work off the clock, work through a required meal or rest period, or record time inaccurately.
• Promptly report any staffing, performance, conduct, attendance, safety, or harassment concern to the Practice Manager or Regional Manager. This position does not issue corrective action, conduct performance reviews, or make hiring, discipline, or termination decisions.
• Attend, participate in, and may lead clinical huddles, office meetings, and continuing education events.

• Review clinical staff timecards daily for accuracy and approve them in accordance with payroll cutoffs.
• Report missed punches, unrecorded breaks, and timecard discrepancies to the Practice Manager promptly. Recorded time may only be corrected to fix a documented error, and only with the employee's knowledge.
• Serve as clinical OSHA and infection control coordinator for the practice, including maintaining the exposure control plan, safety data…