Dental Assistant - Ortho/Pedo Focus

Got it — permanent placement, RDA-required, copy/paste text for Gem. Here it is:

Orthodontic Assistant (RDA) — Permanent | McKinney, TX

A well-established orthodontic practice in McKinney, TX is seeking a skilled, personable Registered Dental Assistant to join their team full-time. This is a permanent, direct-hire opportunity with a growing practice that values patient experience, clinical excellence, and a positive team culture. Talencia is managing the search on the practice's behalf.

Position Summary

The Orthodontic Assistant provides chairside clinical support to the orthodontist and delivers exceptional patient care throughout treatment. Working in a fast-paced, patient-focused environment, you'll assist with a full range of orthodontic procedures — from initial records through active treatment and debonding — while helping patients feel comfortable and informed at every visit. This role is ideal for a Registered Dental Assistant who enjoys building relationships with patients over the course of their treatment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide chairside assistance during orthodontic procedures, including bonding and debonding brackets, placing and removing archwires, and taking impressions or digital scans
• Place and remove elastics, separators, and ligatures per the orthodontist's direction
• Take intraoral and extraoral photographs, radiographs, and diagnostic records
• Prepare treatment rooms, sterilize instruments, and maintain inventory of orthodontic supplies
• Educate patients and parents on appliance care, oral hygiene, and treatment expectations
• Document patient care and treatment progress accurately in the practice management system
• Support patient flow and scheduling in coordination with front-office staff
• Maintain OSHA, HIPAA, and infection-control compliance at all times

Required Qualifications

• Active Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) registration with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
• Current CPR / BLS certification
• Radiography certification valid in Texas
• Prior orthodontic assisting experience preferred; general dental assisting experience considered
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a patient-first approach
• Reliability, professionalism, and the ability to thrive in a busy practice

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct orthodontic experience (bonding, archwire changes, appliance placement)
• Experience with orthodontic-specific software and digital scanning systems (iTero, Dolphin, or similar)
• Coronal polishing and/or nitrous oxide monitoring certification (where applicable)
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

What the Practice Offers

• Permanent, full-time position with a stable, growing orthodontic practice
• Competitive compensation based on experience
• Supportive team environment focused on patient care and staff growth
• Opportunity to build lasting relationships with patients throughout their treatment

Compensation

The base pay range for this role is $20 – $20 per hour.