Orthodontic Assistant Jobs Overview
Do you want to help people improve their smiles? Then a job as an orthodontic assistant may be just what the doctor ordered. Orthodontic assistant jobs focus on helping orthodontists with their patients and administrative work. With a job growth of about 8% over the next few years, there are plenty of opportunities in this field.
Orthodontist assistants are dental assistants working for orthodontists, dentists with additional training. These dentists treat dental flaws such as misaligned or crooked teeth. As an assistant in an orthodontic office, you’ll take X-rays, make dental molds, sterilize medical instruments, and help with billing, scheduling, and record-keeping.
How Much Do Orthodontic Assistant Jobs Pay?
A median salary for a dental assistant ranges from $15.56 to $21.99, depending on location and experience. Use our Salary Tools to figure out how much you could make in your location. Some of the highest-paying locations for dental assistants are Los Angeles and New York City.
Because orthodontists make significantly more than dentists, working in an orthodontic office often gives you a higher paycheck than working for another type of dentist. You can also increase your salary by becoming a certified orthodontic assistant.
How to Find the Orthodontic Assistant Job That Fits You
Working for an orthodontist or other dentist is a good option if you want to work in healthcare without long shifts or night work. Orthodontists typically work traditional office hours, although some may be open for a few hours during the weekends. Orthodontist offices also have a slower pace than many other healthcare facilities because there are few emergencies.
While this means you’ll have a stable schedule, it also means less flexibility. Consider the hours the clinic is open when you apply for orthodontic assistant jobs. It’s likely that those are about the same hours you’ll be working, if you’re applying to a full-time job.
Because assistants work so closely with orthodontists and other staff in the office, it’s important that you get along well with the doctor and the other members of the practice. This will significantly impact your job satisfaction.
Reading customer reviews can give you an idea of the general atmosphere of the clinic. Although the occasional bad review may be biased, a pattern of complaints often indicates a negative work environment as well.
It’s also a good idea to look for orthodontic assistant jobs that offer good benefits packages. While some offices may struggle financially, orthodontists are generally one of the highest-paying jobs. Because of this some orthodontist clinics will offer generous benefits packages to full-time employees.
How to Apply to Orthodontic Assistant Jobs
Spot the areas that need improvement on your resume by scanning our sample dental assistant resume for some helpful suggestions. In this resume you can see how to effectively use resume keywords to help your application pass resume applicant software. Once the application gets to the person responsible for hiring, resume keywords will also give a clear overview of your competences in specific orthodontic areas.
Then take a look at this article about writing healthcare cover letters for suggestions on how to convey your passion for your profession and personalize your story, while staying on topic.
Are you struggling to find the right tone for your resume and cover letter? Sign up with Monster’s Professional Writing Services. An expert familiar with your industry will rewrite your resume and cover letter tailored to your unique experience, while optimizing them with essential industry keywords.
Once you have a strong job application, manage your search for orthodontic assistant jobs by signing up with Monster. This gives you access to our free services for job seekers. Use your profile to upload your resume, apply to jobs, and get notifications of new job openings. You can also save and manage your past job applications so that you can keep track of everything in one place.
How to Follow up With an Employer
Is it time for a check-up of your job application? If you haven’t heard back from the orthodontic practice you applied to, calling or emailing to see the status of your application can help it progress. You just need a reason to get in touch. If it’s been only a couple of days since you submitted the paperwork, call to see if they received your application. If it’s been longer, call to see what the status is.
Your reason for calling is the pretext for your follow-up, but your follow-up should include a brief pitch for yourself. This is how you add value to your job application. If you follow up over the phone, don’t make the language too formal, since you don’t want it to come off as scripted and rehearsed (even though, of course, it should be).
Keep in mind that the general phone number will likely reach the front desk staff, who may not have input in hiring decisions. If you have your mind set on a specific office, emailing the doctor directly may give your application a boost. Consider asking the office staff for the email address so that you can send a brief pitch for yourself. Learn more about what to say in this advice from recruiters about following up on job applications.
Interviewing Tips for Orthodontist Assistant Jobs
While you might do a first interview over the phone or virtually, it’s likely that you’ll be interviewing in person at some point in the process. This is because you’ll be working closely with staff in the office on a daily basis.
How to Prepare for Your Interview
To prepare for your upcoming job interview, read about the practice and the orthodontist you’ll be working for. Doing this research beforehand shows the employer you’re detail-oriented and organized.
Before your job interview, make sure you practice answers both to the most common interview questions across all fields, and questions specific to your industry. Monster has gathered some of the best sample questions and answers for dental assistants which you can use for advice on how to get ready for your interview. These are some examples of potential interview questions:
- Have you worked with software for dental assistants?
- How do you manage nervous or uncooperative patients?
- Do you have work experience with radiology?
Tips for During and After Your Interview
Since orthodontic assistants also work closely with patients in the office, how you present yourself is essential. Dress professionally for your job interview and be sure to arrive a few minutes early. Although it may seem redundant, print and bring a copy of your resume in a professional-looking folder.
After the interview, follow up with a brief thank you message, which you can send by email. You can find some examples on what to write in this article about post-interview thank you emails.
What to Do When You Get an Offer
When you get the phone call with that offer you’ve been waiting for, you should already have a plan for what to say. Start by thinking about how much you expect in salary. Consider factors such as your location, level of experience, and education. If the offer comes back lower than you thought, you should already know if you’re willing to accept it or if you’d like to negotiate.
Negotiating rarely backfires if you do so politely, professionally, and within reasonable limits, while still being grateful for the offer. While the employer can’t always grant you what you ask for, they will rarely take back an offer because you tried to ask for more.
The time that you receive a job offer is also a good time to discuss practical matters such as if adjustments to the schedule are possible, if there is parking for staff (especially if you live in a crowded city), and if there is a waiting time before you can enroll in benefits.
But first, make sure to express gratitude and excitement about the offer and the job. You’re on the right path to your career as an orthodontic assistant!
Orthodontic Assistant Jobs and Career Paths
Orthodontic assistant isn’t an official title that you have to apply for or hold a license for. You become specialized as an orthodontic assistant by working in an orthodontic office as a dental assistant. The steps you need to qualify for orthodontist assistant jobs are therefore similar to dental assistants:
- Get a high school diploma. This is a requirement in most states to get a license. Even when state laws don’t require this, most employers will want you to have a high school degree.
- Apply for a license through your state. Each state has its own requirements for this. Some states require you to pass the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
- Consider optional certifications to increase your value on the job market, such as a Certified Orthodontic Assistant from DANB.
To increase your chances of getting a job in an orthodontic office, consider applying for an externship in an orthodontic office during your education.
Positions Similar to Orthodontic Assistant Jobs
There are many other jobs in the vast field of healthcare support. Consider also looking for: