Orthodontists are successful because of their amazing team members. The PCSO recognizes the amazing women and men who allow us to take such great care of our orthodontic patients. This webpage is dedicated to help existing and future orthodontic employees with adequate resources to discover the best employment opportunities in our field and continue to grow and learn to be their best.

PCSO Resources:

• Orthodontic Team Member Brochure →
Want to know more about careers in orthodontics? The PCSO has created a brochure to help educate you on the opportunities available in an orthodontic office.

• Career Center →
View orthodontic job openings on the PCSO Career Center.

Our favorite team member resources from the AAO:

• Orthodontic Staff Careers →
The AAO has a video available for orthodontists to use at high schools, career centers, vocational schools, etc.

• AAO Ortho Staff Club →
The AAO Orthodontic Staff Club is open to all orthodontic staff — from lab and chairside assistants to administrative personnel. The AAO will only consider applications from those staff members who have their employing doctors’ approval to join. The AAO Orthodontic Staff Club annual fee is $50 per practice covering an unlimited number of staff; the membership year runs from June 1 through May 31. The membership fee is not pro-rated.

• AAO endorsed staff training program →
An AAO Endorsed Staff Training Program provides a core foundation in subjects essential to the clinical chairside assistant.

• AAO Specialized Orthodontic Assistant® Certification →
The Specialized Orthodontic Assistant® (SOA) Certification is a mark of distinction for staff and their practices. Through comprehensive review of knowledge and experience, the SOA gives orthodontic assistants the chance to stand out among the best in the specialty. The AAO is proud to support orthodontic staff as they pursue this voluntary certification.

Career opportunities in an orthodontic office:

What are the different team opportunities?

Serves as a liaison between new patients and the orthodontist with a goal of helping potential new clients consulting the orthodontist to make a commitment to beginning orthodontic treatment.

Assists the orthodontist with treatment; prepares and maintains orthodontic instruments, supplies, and equipment; collects and records patient health histories; takes photos, x-rays, scans, and impressions; educates patients about oral health and overall health; assists with the placement/removal of orthodontic appliances; and instructs patients in appliance care.

Enters patient contracts, sets up payment arrangements, reviews contracts, tracks payments, and collects past due accounts.

Operates and maintains all autoclaves, ultrasonic units, and pre-soak stations; sterilizes instruments, hand pieces, and procedure set-ups.

Develops and executes marketing strategies to help grow the practice; plans and executes community events to promote the practice.

Runs the in-house lab at the practice; fabricates retainers, diagnostic, and therapeutic digital or physical models.

Greets patients; answers a multi-line phone; schedules appointments for patients in office and over the phone; verifies insurance benefits; and assists with practice marketing efforts and contests.



How do I know which job would be best for me?

• Contact your local orthodontist and ask to shadow in his/her office
• Submit a resume or fill out an application if there is an opening
• Speak to the current team members
• Follow them on Facebook/Instagram, get a feeling for what they are all about

How do I find an orthodontic office?

The American Association of Orthodontists has a resource to find out all the orthodontists near you.

How do I become a dental assistant?

Each state or province has different requirements.
• Alaska | https://goo.gl/8GKtfE
There are no education or training requirements for this level of dental assisting.
• Alberta | https://secure.abrda.org/
• Arizona | https://dentalboard.az.gov/
There are no education or training requirements for this level of dental assisting.
• British Columbia | https://www.cdabc.org/
• California | https://goo.gl/GSwezQ
California has two different programs that can lead to dental assisting.
• Hawaii | http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/dentist/
There are no radiography requirements for dental assistants in the state of Hawaii.
• Idaho | http://isbd.idaho.gov/pdf/DA%20Info.pdf
There are no license requirements in the state of Idaho.
• Nevada | http://dental.nv.gov/Licensure/Dental_Assistants/
• Oregon | http://www.oregon.gov/dentistry/Pages/d_assist.aspx
• Saskatchawan | http://www.sdaa.sk.ca/
• Washington | https://goo.gl/P7SlUS