Curious about the types of duties an orthodontist assistant may be responsible for? With thousands of dental jobs, we have a pretty good idea what offices are looking for. 

So let’s take a look at some ortho assistant duties.

Ortho Assistant Duties

As you may imagine, an orthodontist assistant works with the orthodontist. Here’s what the job might look like…

The orthodontist assistant may start by setting up for the orthodontic procedure. This includes collecting any needed supplies and taking any needed x-rays, intraoral scans, or intra- and extraoral photos. Then they will greet the patient and ensure they are well-informed about the procedure they are about to undergo. This includes reviewing the treatment plan with the patient. 

During the procedure, the ortho assistant works with the orthodontist and monitors and assesses the patient’s needs.

After the procedure is complete, an ortho assistant will complete any charting and instruct the patient on any follow up orders or home care. The assistant may be responsible for walking with the patient to the front desk so they may check out. 

Then, the orthodontist assistant will turn over the room for the next procedure. 

Aside from these duties, the ortho assistant ensures that supplies are well stocked at all times. There is usually a rotation for sterilization that occurs daily, weekly, and monthly.

Generally, any assistant is expected to follow all CDC, OSHA, and HIPAA guidelines for patient care. Most offices prefer that you have OSHA and HIPAA certification. Infection Control Training is desirable too. X-ray certification is another requirement for ortho assistants that employers like to see. 

Additional Duties

Other ortho assistant duties may include:

• Maintaining patient records 
• Charting patient progress
• Taking dental molds for mouthguards and retainers.
• Removing and replacing wires, coil springs, donuts, and elastic bands
• Educating patients on proper oral hygiene practices and braces aftercare
• Ability to multitask 
• Ability to work under pressure 
• Ability to communicate professionally with staff and patients
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Maintain an organized work space

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