Orthodontic Assistant (RDA)

CLINICAL CARE ASSOCIATE (RDA / ORTHODONTIC ASSISTANT / RDH)

This is the next step beyond traditional orthodontic assisting.

If you are clinically capable, exceptional with people, and ready to own more than the task directly in front of you, this role may have been designed for you.

Simple Orthodontics is hiring two Clinical Care Associates for our boutique, technology-driven orthodontic practice in Larkspur, California. We are looking for dental professionals who want to grow beyond a traditional assisting role and become trusted clinical partners to patients and families throughout their entire orthodontic journey.

WHAT IS A CLINICAL CARE ASSOCIATE?

The Clinical Care Associate—or CCA—is a new kind of orthodontic role.

It combines the clinical capabilities of an orthodontic assistant, the communication skills of a treatment coordinator, and the ownership of a patient-journey manager.

Instead of seeing whichever assistant is available that day, each patient is supported by a CCA who understands the treatment plan, knows the family, monitors progress, answers questions, and helps guide the patient’s experience from start to finish.

You will work closely with Dr. Sean Carlson and our small, supportive team while developing the judgment and autonomy to manage an assigned panel of patients.

This is not a sales role. There are no individual commissions, quotas, or pressure-based incentives. Your success comes from excellent care, sound judgment, clear communication, reliable follow-through, and the trust you build with patients and teammates.

WHY THIS ROLE IS DIFFERENT

In many orthodontic practices, responsibilities are divided among assistants, treatment coordinators, scheduling team members, and other departments. Patients are handed from one person to another, and important information can easily fall between the cracks.

At Simple Orthodontics, the CCA becomes the patient’s consistent human connection—the person who knows the treatment plan, understands the family’s concerns, notices when something needs attention, and keeps the journey moving forward.

This position comes with significant autonomy and responsibility. You will be given direct access to the doctor, structured clinical development, clear expectations, and the support needed to succeed.

In return, we need someone who communicates exceptionally well, thinks logically, takes ownership, and can be trusted to act without waiting to be told every next step.

WHAT YOU WILL OWN

• Build trusted, long-term relationships with an assigned panel of patients and families
• Deliver orthodontic clinical care within your licensed scope and under doctor supervision
• Prepare for visits, document accurately, and ensure clinical follow-through
• Monitor treatment progress and recognize when something requires attention or escalation
• Explain treatment plans and next steps in language patients and parents can understand
• Reinforce the doctor’s clinical recommendations with clarity and confidence
• Answer patient and parent questions with patience, warmth, and accuracy
• Coordinate scheduling, follow-up, and issue resolution throughout the patient journey
• Communicate through in-person, phone, video, and digital workflows
• Anticipate patient and team needs instead of waiting for problems to become urgent
• Collaborate closely with the doctor and team while taking real ownership of your responsibilities
• Help us continue developing an innovative model of orthodontic care

THE PERSON WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Credentials matter, but personality, judgment, and communication matter even more.

You may be an excellent fit if you:

• Communicate with warmth, clarity, confidence, and authenticity
• Listen carefully and make people feel genuinely understood
• Think logically, notice inconsistencies, and ask thoughtful questions
• Are self-directed and can determine what needs to happen next
• Follow through completely and do not allow details to quietly disappear
• Remain calm when the day changes or a patient needs additional support
• Are comfortable receiving direct, frequent feedback and using it to grow
• Enjoy technology and can learn new digital systems quickly
• Care about doing the right thing for the patient—not simply checking a box
• Want professional growth, greater autonomy, and a larger role in patient care
• Enjoy working closely with a small team where every person has a visible impact
• Bring compassion and emotional intelligence into clinical conversations
• Can balance independence with knowing when to ask for help

This role is probably not the right fit if you prefer to be given one task at a time, avoid difficult conversations, require constant direction, or see patient communication as someone else’s responsibility.

CLINICAL BACKGROUND

We are looking for candidates with professional experience in California as a Registered Dental Assistant, orthodontic assistant, or dental hygienist.

• A current California RDA, orthodontic assisting credential, or RDH license is strongly preferred
• Candidates with prior qualifying credentials that need renewal are encouraged to apply
• We are open to discussing reasonable support and time needed to renew required credentials
• Previous orthodontic experience is strongly preferred
• Current CPR/BLS certification is preferred and will be required before performing applicable clinical duties
• All clinical responsibilities will remain within the scope permitted by your active California credentials
• You must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Please clearly identify which licenses, certifications, and permits you currently hold—or previously held and are eligible to renew.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Starting base pay: $5,000 per month
• Stable base compensation that is not tied to individual sales or quotas
• Structured professional growth path with current base levels reaching up to $78,000 annually as clinical competence, judgment, and responsibility grow
• Eligibility after the 90-day introductory period for a shared, team-based monthly bonus
• At target practice performance and advanced CCA levels, total compensation may reach approximately $95,000–$100,000+ annually; bonuses are variable and are not guaranteed
• Medical insurance with employer contribution
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) with up to 4% employer match
• Paid time off
• Four-day workweek

Benefits and bonus eligibility begin after the 90-day introductory period, subject to the terms of the applicable plans and policies.

ABOUT SIMPLE ORTHODONTICS

Simple Orthodontics is a modern orthodontic practice serving children and families in our Larkspur location, which is convenient to San Rafael, Corte Madera, Greenbrae, San Anselmo, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Sausalito, Marin City and surrounding communities.

Our mission is simple:

Healthy smiles.
Brighter lives.
Smile journeys simplified.

Dr. Carlson sets the clinical vision. Our operations and support team build the systems that make it possible. Our CCAs are the “chefs in the kitchen”—the clinical leaders who turn that vision into an exceptional day-to-day experience for every patient.

We believe excellent care should feel calm, personal, and connected. We care about building a healthy business, but profit is not why we are here. We are here to help people, take exceptional care of patients, and create a workplace where talented professionals can grow.

Our office is located in downtown Larkspur, directly across from Equator Coffee and surrounded by shops, restaurants, and nearby parking.

POSITION DETAILS

• Full-time
• In person in Larkspur, California
• Four-day workweek
• Day shift
• Two positions available
• Immediate start preferred

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HOW TO APPLY

Checkout www.Simpleortho.com to make sure you are picking up what we're putting down here : )

Then, apply through Indeed with your résumé and thoughtful answers to the application questions. We read every response.

If you are ready for more ownership, more meaningful patient relationships, and the opportunity to help build the future of orthodontic care, we would genuinely like to meet you.

Simple Orthodontics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations as required by law.

Pay: From $5,000.00 per month

Application Question(s):

• Tell us about a time a dentist, manager, or teammate gave you feedback that you initially disagreed with. What did you do with it?
• Which California dental credentials do you currently hold? Please include your RDA, orthodontic/extended-function credentials, RDH license, and any other applicable certifications.
• This is an in-person clinical position in Larkspur with a 4-day workweek, Monday through Thursday. Are you able to reliably commit to this schedule?
• Tell us about a time you noticed something a patient or your team needed before anyone asked you to handle it. What did you notice, and what did you do?
• Imagine you are caring for a child who is nervous and a parent who is confused about treatment. The doctor is temporarily unavailable. How would you handle the situation?
• You are preparing to treat a patient and notice that something in the chart, treatment plan, or clinical setup does not seem right. What would you do?
• What does being given significant professional autonomy at work mean to you? What should an employer reasonably expect from you in return for that trust?
• The CCA role goes well beyond traditional dental assisting. Over time, you will take ownership of patient relationships, learn orthodontic treatment deeply, communicate directly with families, and develop significant professional autonomy. What about this kind of role most interests you?

Ability to Commute:

• Larkspur, CA 94939 (Required)

Work Location: In person