EXPERIENCED ORTHODONTIC CLINICAL ASSISTANT
Kuhni Orthodontic Studio · Spanish Fork, UT
kuhniorthodonticstudio.com
Job Type
Part-Time
Schedule
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM + Rotating Fridays 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Experience
Orthodontic or dental assisting experience required
Apply To
[email protected] — include resume + 3 work references
POSITION SUMMARY
Are you a warm, detail-obsessed professional who holds yourself to an exceptionally high standard and genuinely loves working with people? Kuhni Orthodontic Studio is hiring an Orthodontic Clinical Assistant who brings technical skill, positive energy, and a patient-first mindset to everything they do. In this role, you'll work chairside with our doctor, prepare and maintain clinical instruments and materials, uphold strict infection control standards, and ensure every patient feels cared for, informed, and confident throughout their treatment. We're looking for a fast learner who thrives under pressure, embraces change, manages multiple priorities with ease, and shows up every day as a true ambassador of our culture — bringing warmth, precision, and the kind of genuine enthusiasm that patients remember long after they leave our chair. If you're a team player who can also work independently, communicate professionally, and make excellence look effortless — we want to hear from you.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Clinical Excellence & Chairside Assisting
- Prepare and maintain dental instruments, materials, supplies, and equipment for each appointment.
- Set up procedural trays and ensure all materials are ready prior to patient seating.
- Greet, seat, and connect with patients to create a comfortable and welcoming experience.
- Collect and record patient health histories accurately.
- Take dental records including X-rays, impressions, intraoral scans, photographs, and bite registrations.
- Prepare teeth for bonding and assist the doctor chairside during bonding procedures.
- Place and remove separators; fit, seat, cement, and remove bands and banded appliances.
- Size, insert, and remove archwires; check for loose bands and brackets at every appointment.
- Remove brackets, bands, banding cement, and bonding adhesive with hand instruments.
- Polish teeth at debond appointments.
- Accurately record all procedures and treatment notes in the patient treatment card.
- Restock chairside units and maintain organized, clean workstations throughout the day.
- Submit EasyRx or equivalent lab slips and assist with inventory restocking.
2. Infection Control & Safety
- Follow all infection control and sterilization protocols in compliance with OSHA, CDC, and state/local standards.
- Clean, disinfect, sterilize, and re-circulate instruments; maintain sterilization logs.
- Disinfect chairs, treatment areas, and work surfaces between every patient.
- Maintain current OSHA and HIPAA certifications annually.
- Ensure proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials per established protocols.
3. Patient Care & Education
- Deliver clear, encouraging, and thorough home-care, appliance, and elastic instructions to every patient.
- Motivate and educate patients to follow the doctor's recommendations and maintain good oral hygiene.
- Communicate treatment progress updates to parents and patients with professionalism and empathy.
- Help manage patient expectations and ensure a positive, confidence-building treatment experience.
- Educate patients and families on the benefits of SmileSecure and actively present it as a recommended option.
- Participate in discussions with patients regarding compliments and concerns; model proper clinical verbal skills.
4. Lab & Equipment Support
- Pour impressions to make stone and plaster models; trim models as needed.
- Fabricate clear retainers, bleaching trays, and other in-house lab appliances as directed.
- Submit, track, and manage in-house and external lab cases.
- Assist with indirect bonding preparation and other laboratory duties.
- Support maintenance of clinical equipment and promptly report any issues or malfunctions.
5. Practice & Administrative Support
- Monitor and track emergency appointments; communicate with clinical and front office teams as needed.
- Send patient care calls and ensure patient letters are posted and sent when appropriate.
- Send extraction, disking, and specialist referral requests along with required records.
- Organize patient progress reviews and coordinate debanding gifts and thank-you cards.
- Manage inventory, organization, cleaning, and stocking of drawers, cabinets, and work areas.
- Maintain sterilization area solutions, equipment, and OSHA-required records.
6. Team Contribution & Culture
- Actively participate in team meetings, staff huddles, and continuing education opportunities.
- Support clinic organization, cleanliness, and clear team communication throughout the day.
- Model a positive, solution-oriented, and outward mindset in all patient and team interactions.
- Assist with training and onboarding new team members as requested.
- Seek opportunities for professional growth and contribute ideas that enhance the patient experience.
- Work cohesively with fellow team members to foster an environment of trust, mutual respect, and cooperation.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- X-ray certification required (may be obtained during onboarding).
- CPR certification required.
- State dental assistant licensure as required by jurisdiction.
- COA from the Dental Assisting National Board preferred.
- Prior orthodontic or dental assisting experience required.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Clinical Proficiency — Skilled in all orthodontic clinical procedures and digital record-taking.
- Interpersonal Skills — Team-oriented with excellent communication, empathy, and the ability to connect with patients of all ages.
- Organizational Skills — Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask and maintain efficiency in a fast-paced environment.
- Computer Proficiency — Proficient in Dolphin Management (or equivalent), Asana, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Verbal Communication — Clear and professional communicator with doctors, parents, patients, and referring offices.
- Problem-Solving — Calm and confident in addressing patient concerns and clinical challenges as they arise.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
- High manual dexterity and fine motor skills required for clinical procedures.
- Ability to stand, sit, bend, squat, kneel, stoop, and reach above shoulder level for extended periods.
- Clear speech and hearing to effectively communicate with patients and team members.
- Normal or corrected vision sufficient to perform detailed clinical work.
Ready to join our team?
Send your resume (including 3 work references) to:
[email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you!
www.kuhniorthodonticstudio.com
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
Ability to Commute:
- Spanish Fork, UT 84660 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Spanish Fork, UT 84660: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
