Orthodontic Assistant Overview

Required Education and Training To Become an Orthodontic Assistant

Best Schools to become a Orthodontic Assistant in U.S. 2024

New York University

New York, NY

In-State Tuition:$55,384
Out-of-State Tuition:$55,384
Admission Rate:12%
Graduation Rate:87%
Total Enrollment:59,144

Tufts University

Medford, MA

In-State Tuition:$63,804
Out-of-State Tuition:$63,804
Admission Rate:10%
Graduation Rate:94%
Total Enrollment:13,431

United Education Institute-Morrow

Morrow, GA

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:49%
Total Enrollment:1,276

Boston University

Boston, MA

In-State Tuition:$61,050
Out-of-State Tuition:$61,050
Admission Rate:14%
Graduation Rate:89%
Total Enrollment:36,714

UEI College-Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:41%
Total Enrollment:1,422

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

In-State Tuition:$63,468
Out-of-State Tuition:$63,468
Admission Rate:12%
Graduation Rate:92%
Total Enrollment:48,945
Orthodontic Assistant Job Description:
  • Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist.
  • Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures.
  • May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become an Orthodontic Assistant

Job Duties for Orthodontic Assistants

  • Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.

  • Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.

  • Record treatment information in patient records.

Technologies and Skills Used by Orthodontic Assistants

Electronic mail software

  • Email software

Medical software

  • Henry Schein Dentrix
  • The Systems Workplace TDOCS

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Talking to others

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for an Orthodontic Assistant

Additional Resources To Help You Become an Orthodontic Assistant

FAQs About Becoming an Orthodontic Assistant