Ortho Dental Assitant, KP Dental at Keizer Station (On-Call, Days)

Job Summary

To provide direct patient care to orthodontic patients within a Kaiser Permanente dental office.

Essential Responsibilities

• Instruct the patient in proper technique of orthodontic oral hygiene, e.g. the use of elastics, separators, face bow and removable appliances and proper tooth brushing technique.
• Perform the following functions provided the dentist is on the premises and checks the patient before and after the functions are performed: Remove cement from bands using an ultrasonic or hand scaler. Re-cement loose orthodontic bands Take impressions for the following purposes: Diagnostic models; Counter and opposing models; Fabrication of temporary removable orthodontic appliances; Intraoral bite registration for study model articulation. Remove any portion of an orthodontic appliance causing a patient discomfort and replace isomeric ligatures in an emergency when the dentist is not on the premises. Evaluate each returning patient for loose or broken bands and/or unbonded brackets.
• Place and remove ligature ties for adjustment of arch wires and/or bands. Place and remove arch wires. Preliminarily select and size bands. Place and remove interarch elastics and/or spring orthodontic separators. Place bracket on study model and fabricate tray for indirect bonding procedures.
• Photograph patient for intraoral and extraoral diagnosis utilizing appropriate retraction technique and equipment. Label and record all models, photographs and x-rays for presentation of case and later retention. Properly finish study models consistent with the criteria established by the orthodontist.
• As instructed, trace cephalometric x-rays for diagnostic purposes consistent with criteria established by the orthodontist.