A head pad assembly for a loading dock includes a frame structure secured to a loading dock wall and a head pad portion coupled to the frame structure. The head pad portion is positioned above and extends across an opening to the loading dock, and is moveable between an upper position and a lower position. The head pad portion includes a compressible pad. The upper position of the head pad is not configured to provide a sealing function against a truck or trailer, and the lower position is configured to engage and seal the compressible pad against a roof surface of the truck or trailer.