The future outlook for orthodontic assistants is very bright, and job prospects and security are excellent. If you choose being an orthodontic assistant in Illinois and Chicago, you will be part of the growing field of dentistry. Before deciding to take on the role of an orthodontic assistant, it is very important to know everything about minimum qualification, training programs, internships, certification and job duties. Let’s discuss them one by one in brief.
Complete you high school
The minimum qualification required to enter into an orthodontic assistant training program in Illinois and Chicago is completing the high school. However, if you are a graduate and hold master’s degree, you still can get admission in the orthodontic assistant training program. So, your education will not be a barrier to ensure a great future in this occupation.
Complete the training program
Aspirants can begin their career with training in orthodontic assisting through an accredited certificate or degree program.The certificate program takes six months to one year to complete, whereas, a diploma program takes minimum two years to complete. During training, students need to clear theory as well as practical exams. They are also required to work as an orthodontic assistant in a variety of settings including dental clinics, hospitals, armed force dental facilities and general and special clinics, during the internship period. After successfully completing the training, certificate or degree program, you get a license to serve as an orthodontic assistant in any city of your country. Dental clinics and hospitals have a high demand for orthodontic assistants certified by the Dental Assisting National Board, and the training is the first step.
Know your job duties
As an orthodontic dental assistant, your job is to help your orthodontists or dentists in multiple aspects of patient care and procedures, which includes, but not limited to, preparing patients for dental procedures and ensuring that they are comfortable. Your duty also includes taking x-rays of the bone structure of a patient’s jaw, as well as taking photographs of teeth and creating molds of patient’s bite. You are also responsible for comforting them for complex and tedious oral surgery procedures.
Interested in enrolling in the program.