What is the role of an orthodontic assistant? Orthodontic assistants benefit from having more one-on-one work with the patients. In addition to helping the orthodontist during adjustment appointments, they also take X-rays of the patient's teeth, make impressions for study models and take photographs for the orthodontist to study prior to giving his/her treatment evaluation. While a background in dentistry is very useful, it is not necessary in order to become an orthodontic assistant. Are orthodontic assistants in high demand? Orthodontics is a business where you have to be specially trained to do your job; therefore, the demand for quality orthodontic assistants is always high and continues to grow. The OASA is one of few schools that can give you the valuable hands-on training you need to excel in the industry. What kind of salary do orthodontic assistants make? As with any job, the salary or hourly wages of an orthodontic assistant can vary based on experience and region. In areas where the cost of living is higher, orthodontic assistants can expect to make more than those in smaller rural regions. Orthodontic assistants can start around $13 or $14 per hour in many areas with increases for those with more experience. Are there any prerequisites to taking this course? You must be a high school graduate with a GPA of 2.0 or higher to enroll for our courses. You are also required to submit a completed application, letter of recommendation, handwritten statement on why you want to become an orthodontic assistant and your current high school or college transcript. Can I attend the course even if I currently work for an orthodontist? Yes. Your employer can send us a letter of recommendation if you currently work for a practice. Is the OASA a licensed institution? Yes. We are licensed by the Georgia Commission of Nonpublic Post-Secondary Education. How much does it cost to attend the course? The tuition for the orthodontic assisting course is $1,600, which includes all necessary supplies, instruments and study materials. What are my payment options? We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express, as well as personal check or cashier's check. We also have arranged financing through CareCredit and can send your further information on their payment plans once you have been accepted to the school. Where is the OASA? OASA classes are conducted at a practicing orthodontic office, Pickron Orthodontic Care, in Norcross, Georgia. What are some details about the course? Classes meet once per week on Saturdays, although we recommend setting aside a significant amount of time to allot for studying your materials at home. The class also includes 18 hours of clinical in a practicing orthodontic office. The class will last for eight weeks. While there is no certain uniform to wear to the course, we prefer you wear clothes appropriate to the orthodontic profession (medical scrubs, white shoes, etc.) Does the OASA help with job placement? Of course! We have a section on our Web site reserved specifically for our graduates to post their resumes for doctors to review, and we can refer you to area doctors and send along your information when requested.