🦷

ORTHODONTIC ASSISTANT

WEEK 1–5 TRAINING CHECKLIST

(Printable | Clinic-Ready | Trainer Sign-Off)

Completed: 0 / 0

Last saved: —

Trainee Name

Start Date

Trainer / Lead Assistant

Clinic Name (optional)

Trainee Details

Role / Position

Shift

Trainer Details

Trainer Title

Trainer Contact

Assignment

Clinic Location

“Excellence is not an act, but a habit — in orthodontics, that habit is precision and care.”

— Clinic Motto

Clinic Phone (optional)

Clinic Email (optional)

✅ WEEK 1 — FOUNDATION, SAFETY & OBSERVATION

Goal: Understand clinic flow, safety standards, and orthodontic fundamentals before hands-on work.

Office Orientation & Workflow

Tour all clinical areas (operatories, sterilization, X-ray, consult room, lab)

Understand daily schedule flow (new patient, adjustments, emergencies, debonds)

Learn roles of orthodontist, assistants, treatment coordinator, front desk

Understand room turnover expectations and timing standards

Infection Control & OSHA (Observation)

Review OSHA standards and infection control policies

Identify clean vs. dirty zones in sterilization area

Observe proper PPE usage (gloves, masks, eyewear)

Review sharps handling and disposal

Locate MSDS/SDS sheets

Shadowing (Full Observation)

Shadow lead orthodontic assistant (full day)

Observe new patient exam workflow

Observe adjustment appointment

Observe appliance delivery

Observe Invisalign / aligner appointment

Observe debond procedure

Instruments & Materials (Intro)

Identify basic orthodontic instruments by name

Observe tray setup for adjustment appointments

Learn location of commonly used supplies

Charting & Software (Intro)

Observe charting in practice management software

Learn common orthodontic abbreviations

Understand basic treatment notes structure

X-Rays (Observation Only)

Observe pano, ceph, and bitewing workflow

Review radiation safety protocols

Emergency Awareness

Review emergency procedures

Locate emergency kit and oxygen tank

Review syncope (fainting) protocol

Trainer Initials

Date

Notes

Suggested notes: patient comfort observations • instrument identification strengths • areas to shadow again • PPE reminders • emergency kit location confirmed • software abbreviations to review

Next Checklist →