What is the Role of Orthodontic Assistants?
Orthodontic assistants are specialized dental assistants who care for patients who wear devices such as braces or retainers. These health care professionals complete one-year certificate or two-year associate degree programs in dental assisting, which often include externship opportunities in an orthodontic practice. Some states also require orthodontic assistants to be licensed or registered. Median annual wages of dental assistants, which include orthodontic assistants, were $32,380 in May 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Other People Are Reading
-
Patients
-
Orthodontic assistants usually are the first health care professionals to see patients in an orthodontic practice, according to Education-Portal.com. These dental assistants typically clean a patient's teeth and check and adjust orthodontic gear as necessary before the patient sees the orthodontist. Examples of orthodontic gear include braces, which straighten teeth by applying pressure to the teeth. Because interacting with patients is a chief part of their job, orthodontic assistants must have solid verbal and interpersonal communication skills. They often go over treatment plans with patients as well. They additionally must be able to make patients comfortable when preparing them for treatment.
Clinical Duties
-
A major duty of orthodontic assistants is preparing instruments and examination rooms for orthodontic procedures. These assistants transfer the proper instruments during procedures and might be required to take dental radiographs of patients' mouths. When taking oral X-rays, they must ensure they meet safety requirements such as using a lead apron and thyroid collar on patients to prevent unnecessary exposure to radiation. Orthodontic assistants also can place rubber dams used to isolate teeth for treatment.
-
Other Duties
-
Helping to install braces and other gear as well as cleaning braces is an important role in orthodontic assisting. These health care professionals additionally take impressions of patients' teeth and make study models of their mouths to help with treatment. Orthodontic assistants can apply anesthetic before an operation and remove sutures as well, according to DiplomaGuide.com. They must practice infection control, which includes sterilizing instruments and disinfecting treatment rooms to prevent the spread of disease among patients.
Administrative Duties
-
Orthodontic assistants might answer telephones and schedule and confirm patient appointments. They can perform other front-office work such as updating and maintaining patient records and preparing medical records for each appointment. Other office duties include receiving patients, sending bills, ordering dental supplies and receiving payment for dental services.
Skills
-
Good manual dexterity is a requirement for orthodontic assistants. These professionals also must enjoy working with patients, dentists and other dental team members and must be reliable. They must be able to multitask and should have a strong understanding of dental equipment, tools and materials and their various uses. Orthodontic assistants should work well with little supervision but also must be willing to take direction from dentists. They additionally should be professional, organized and good managers of time.
-
References
- Photo Credit Happy with Braces image by DGGallery from Fotolia.com
