How to Become an Orthodontist Assistant
There are a lot of reasons why a person should consider being an orthodontist assistant. Firstly, given the current state of the economy, where people lose their jobs because of market failures, it is important to have an alternative, or a fallback, just in case the dreaded thing happens. Secondly, this industry is perfect for people who are generally interested in dentistry, but never had the chance to receive a formal education. Lastly, this industry is a fairly rewarding one. In the United States, for example, the median of the expected salary for an assistant is approximately $33,200. This market pricing makes being a dental assistant one of the highest paying jobs for people who want to venture into the world of the non-licensed medical industry.
Orthodontist Assistant Description
In a nutshell, assistants of orthodontists help in different oral surgeries and dental procedures under the guidance and supervision of a licensed dentist. They are tasked to take charge in the preparation of the different tools, instruments, and other materials necessary for a dentist’s work to be done. This means that they will have to be there during the procedure and are the equivalent of nurses in a normal operation. They will hand the tools to the dentist, record the findings in every appointment, and sterilize the equipment used in order to maintain cleanliness around the office. Apart from being present in operations, assistants are also expected to do administrative duties. They will make sure that scheduling an appointment will be as smooth as it could possibly be. Concisely, a dental office will not survive without the organizational and people skills of an assistant. They will have to be the friendliest people, especially in dealing with clients, who are mostly children that are naturally afraid of dental clinics to begin with. This means that they should be approachable and can make a seemingly intimidating activity to be a fun one. Lastly, being able to be keen about details is also a necessity, especially that a single mistake of an assistant can change the entire schedule of the office.
The Requirements of the Industry
The bare minimum requirement for an individual who wants to be part of the industry is to finish a high school diploma, or obtain a G.E.D. The reason for this is that skills in the areas of chemistry, biology and basic anatomy, and first aid are needed. On top of these basic courses, people are expected to have office management skills, which, again, are intrinsic to the job description.
Upon fulfilling the first criterion, people are then required to undergo and complete a training program. These programs are designed to give students enough knowledge regarding oral anatomy, dental materials and radiology, successfully conducting an x-ray, and facilitating infection control. Lab courses will also train people on how to make dental molds, clean and polish teeth. While this might sound trivial to some, in reality, these training sessions are as complex as dentistry is about different bonding agents, tooth appliances, and arch wire manipulation in order to help the client get the desired results. No one who is hopeful in getting a job as an assistant should ever worry because training institutions are all over the country. There are for-profit and private as well as publicly funded institutions that can provide the best training possible. Unlike other medical training schools, however, the possibility of taking online classes might be hard to find, as an orthodontist spends most of their time doing actual hands-on work.
After completing training, it is advisable for everyone to consider being certified. Although certification is not strictly being required in most states in the country, being able to obtain one is a testament to a person’s competence. Certification can also lead to the greater probability of having an increased salary. In order to do this, individuals are required to pass the Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) designation given by the Dental Assisting National Board. The examination is split into two parts: the Infection Control Exam, and the Orthodontic Assisting Exam, which consist of 100 – 210 multiple-choice examinations respectively.
In conclusion, it is safe to say that a career investment in the dental industry is one of the most financially rewarding and equally challenging areas that anyone can do for himself or herself. Not only is it a holistic job because of the fusion of office management and medical assistance, it is also a progressive industry. By investing a few more years in studying, one can complete a licensed career in orthodontics. Alternatively, because of the diversity in the industry, an assistant may be absorbed by private dental and orthodontic companies that supply different clinics. These companies always look for people who can handle sales and marketing of smaller clinics. At the end of the day, being an orthodontist assistant can open a floodgate of opportunities for anyone.