6 Weeks. 84 hours.
Dental Board-Approved Orthodontic Assistant Course (3 Parts)
ONLINE INCLASS LECTURES
Students will learn theory and clinical skills relating to orthodontic assisting. Students MUST complete on-line training and pass on-line quizzes before each day of class.
LABATORY
Students will learn the step-by-step procedures of Orthodontic Assisting through laboratory experience.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Students will be required to practice the newly acquired skills on live patients under the direct supervision of our orthodontist in our office.
- Placing and removing orthodontic separators.
- Sizing, fitting, and cementing orthodontic bands.
- Preparing teeth for bonding orthodontic brackets.
- Selecting and placing orthodontic bracket on teeth.
- Curing orthodontic brackets after the dentist/orthodontist positions the bracket.
- Placing archwires properly.
- Ligating archwires and placing ligature ties
- Removing orthodontic brackets, bands, and attachments.
- Removing bonding material using a scaler and/or adhesive-removing pliers under the direct supervision of licensed dentist/orthodontist.
- Removing excess cement from supra gingival surfaces of teeth with a hand instrument or ultrasonic scaler.
- Giving patient instructions and learning patient management skills.
- Understanding orthodontic charts and communicating well with the orthodontist.
- Must be able to communicate in English
- Must have 8-hour Infection Control Certificate
- Must have CPR certification accredited by AHA or ARC
- Must have a minimum of six (6) months experience in dental assisting in the United States and provide documentation from the dental office.
- This documentation must include:
- Dates of employment/experience (Employment/experience will be verified)
- Must be written on office letterhead (including office address and phone number)
- Must be signed AND dated by supervising dentist
-OR-
- Have an active RDA or RDAEF License (Copy of RDA/ RDAEF license is required)
- Photocopies of the above documents must be included with the registration form.
- Payment and the complete registration packet must be received 48 hours before the first day of class.
- Incomplete prerequisites will not be accepted, and students will be rescheduled for the next start date.
As of January 2010, the California Dental Board requires Dental Assistants who are working in an orthodontic office and/or are performing the daily duties of the Orthodontic Assistant must hold an Orthodontic Assistant Permit.
OA Dental Board Written Examination Information
Effective January 1, 2010, each graduate of the Orthodontic Assisting Permit course will be required to take a California Dental Board-administered examination. Each student must pass with a grade of 75% or above in order to receive their orthodontic assistant permit.
DOCUMENTS AND CERTIFICATES NEEDED TO APPLY FOR THE ORTHODONTIC ASSISTING PERMIT
Note: You will need to send, along with your application, a copy of each of the certificates below.
OA Course Certificate
Ultrasonic Scaling Certificate
8-Hour Infection Control Certificate (If you are a DA)
2-Hour Infection Control Certificate (If you are an RDA)
2-Hour California Dental Practice Act Certificate
CPR Certificate – Current 2 year accredited by AHA or ARC
OC Dental Academy partners with a California Dental Board-approved course provider that certifies students for eligibility to take the Dental Board Orthodontic Assistant Permit Exam.
An Exciting Dental Career is Just a Few Clicks Away
OC Dental Academy offers a hands-on course designed to give you the basic fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to start your new career, at a minimum cost of time and expense.