Orthodontic assistants work alongside orthodontists in dental offices, performing any tasks necessary to aid the orthodontist in his work on a patient. Preparing the patient for an exam or procedure, filing and maintaining patient records, and preparing instruments for the orthodontist are all examples of additional orthodontic assistant responsibilities. Some assistants are also trained to administer local anesthesia and perform certain types of testing, such as taking patient X-rays.
An orthodontic assistant will, in general, greet patients as they enter the facility, pull the patients’ charts for the orthodontist to review, and assist the doctor in preparing the patient for a procedure. A person in this position is usually in charge of making a patient feel at ease and responding to his or her questions and concerns. During the procedure, the assistant will typically assist the orthodontist with instruments, provide necessary suction, and anything else the orthodontist might require. Taking patient X-rays and administering certain types of anesthetic may also be part of the job duties, depending on the orthodontic office and the assistant’s level of education and training.
An orthodontic assistant’s responsibilities may also include sterilizing instruments for the orthodontist using an autoclave before use. Organizing, cleaning, and sorting the instruments are also among the responsibilities of orthodontic assistants. Because some supplies, such as latex gloves and rubber bands for braces, are one-use only, the assistant may need to check the facility’s inventory to make sure it’s stocked and order more if necessary. Before the orthodontist sees patients, an assistant makes sure the environment is clean and sanitized thoroughly.
An orthodontic assistant may also be expected to keep track of and organize patient files and records. The assistant pulls the records before the treatment, reviews the notations in the file, and adds any other pertinent information that may be required as part of this job duty. The assistant may also be expected to ensure that all of the patients’ records are filed in the proper order, according to the facility’s filing system. An orthodontic assistant’s job may include billing or other insurance-related tasks in some cases.
To work as an orthodontic assistant, most people need to have completed at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. Although community colleges frequently offer certificate programs in dental assisting, it may be possible to find an orthodontist who will provide on-the-job training. In some states, orthodontic assistants will also be required to be licensed.