Description
Perform chairside and administrative duties in an orthodontic practice under the direction of an orthodontist. Prepare patients and operatories, sterilize instruments, capture orthodontic records (x-rays, photographs, impressions/scans), assist with bonding, adjustments, and debonding, fabricate models/appliances, provide oral hygiene and appliance-care instructions, and support scheduling, records, billing, and insurance.
- • Prepare patients and operatories; sterilize and disinfect instruments; set up orthodontic trays and materials.
- • Assist orthodontist during bonding, banding, archwire changes, adjustments, and debonding.
- • Place and remove separators, ligatures, elastomeric ties, and power chains as directed.
- • Insert, tie in, and remove archwires; cut and tuck wire ends under supervision.
- • Expose and process panoramic, cephalometric, and intraoral radiographs.
- • Capture orthodontic records, including intraoral/extraoral photographs, impressions, and intraoral scans.
- • Pour, trim, and polish study models for diagnosis and treatment planning.
- • Make preliminary impressions and bite registrations for appliances and models.
- • Fabricate vacuum-formed retainers, bleaching trays, and orthodontic templates as prescribed.
- • Clean and polish removable appliances; remove excess cement or adhesive as permitted.
- • Provide oral hygiene, elastics, and appliance-care instructions; reinforce diet and home-care guidance.
- • Deliver postoperative instructions after appliance placement, adjustments, or debonding.
- • Record treatment notes, appliance data, and progress updates in patient records.
- • Assist in managing orthodontic emergencies, such as loose brackets or poking wires, and provide interim relief.
- • Schedule appointments, manage recalls, coordinate lab cases, and track aligner or appliance orders.
- • Verify insurance benefits, prepare bills, post payments, and maintain administrative records.
- • Order and monitor orthodontic supplies and equipment inventory.
- • Follow infection control protocols and maintain operatory turnover and equipment maintenance logs.
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Healthcare & Human Services
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
