Orthodontist Assistant

Start A Career As An Orthodontist Assistant

Orthodontist Assistant Job Description

The tasks of a dental assistant are relatively well known and standard, but in fact an orthodontist assistant has many of the same tasks, as well as a myriad of different, more technical ones.

An orthodontic assistant must help the orthodontist by sterilizing the equipment, disinfecting the room and handing the orthodontist the right tools during an exam. An assistant will also prepare materials needed like cement and materials to make impressions, as well as remove excess cement from bands or brackets. You will also pour the cement to make a mold and trim the models for labs.

Additionally there are clerical duties, like billing patients, scheduling appointments, maintaining patients' files and ordering supplies to keep the inventory up to date. Certain orthodontist offices will require slightly more from its assistants which could include taking x-rays and developing them, using technical skills like etching and using sealants to prepare teeth, removing and exchanging ligatures, taking bite impressions and making retainers like splints and essix. The responsibilities of an orthodontic assistants have a wide range and require proper training.

Types of Degrees

At dental assistant schools, an orthodontic assistant in training can attend a 2 year associate's degree in orthodontic assisting or in dental assisting in order to get an entry level position. The difference is that with the latter, the assistant will learn basic dental assisting skills and need to learn the technical orthodontic skills on the job. There are in fact fewer programs that specialize in orthodontic assisting; the one that is offered by the Academy of Orthodontic Assisting (AOA) is one of the better known ones.

In an orthodontist assistant program, you will learn how to make and apply cement, how to replace brackets and basic dental cleaning skills.  This degree is usually followed by attaining a license offered by the Dental Assisting National Board, since most states require it. As with dental assistants, you then also have the choice to become certified to show your competency. There are two different certifications that orthodontic assistants can get from the Dental Assisting National Board: Orthodontic Assisting (OA) and Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA).

Becoming an orthodontist assistant requires a large skill set and proper technical training. It combines office tasks with more complex skills, and as such, becoming certified or licensed is a good way to show potential employers what you are capable of to give yourself and advantage. Dental assistant schools will certainly train you with all you need to know to prepare you for the challenge ahead.

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Expanded Functions Dental Assistant |