Orthodontic Assistant Training
Orthodontic assistants are health care professionals who assist dental hygienists and orthodontists with basic dental duties, according to Education-Portal.com. Orthodontic assistants are part of the broader employment category of dental assistants, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Training for dental assistants, including orthodontic assistants, can range from on-the-job training to formal education.
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Prerequisites
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Candidates for a position as an orthodontic assistant may be provided on-the-job training, but most orthodontic offices prefer to hire candidates who have formal training, according to Education-Portal.com. Post-secondary orthodontic assistant training may be obtained through vocational schools or at the community college level. According to Education-Portal.com, most programs require candidates to have a high school diploma or educational equivalent.
Formal Education
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Orthodontic assistant training typically involves 12 to 20 weeks of formal instruction and hands-on training. Coursework may include chair-side assistance procedures, dental radiology, oral anatomy, infection control and dental materials. Programs offered by vocational technical schools and community colleges typically result in a certificate of completion.
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Certification
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Orthodontic assistants may wish to become certified. The Dental Assisting National Board administers the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential, according to the BLS. The CDA credential is recognized by at least 37 states. To qualify to take the CDA certification examination, a candidate must be a graduate of an accredited dental assisting education program or have two years of full-time experience as a dental assistant or four years of experience as a part-time dental assistant.
Employment
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Dental assisting, including orthodontic assisting, is expected to be one of the fastest growing career fields in the United States between 2008 and 2018, according to the BLS. Job opportunities are expected to expand by 36 percent during that time frame. While the BLS expects opportunities to be available at the entry level, experienced orthodontic assistants and individuals who have formal dental assistant training are expected to have the broadest options.
Income
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PayScale.com places the average pay range of orthodontic assistants in the United States between $12.72 and $18.04 per hour, as of May 2010. Orthodontic assistants who are just starting out can expect to earn between approximately $9.80 and $12.30 an hour. Those with more than 10 years of experience may command an hourly wage in excess of $20.
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References
Resources
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