Orthodontic assistants are becoming an increasingly popular career choice. Their primary role is working with an orthodontist to correct a patient’s teeth, jaw alignment, or bite. An orthodontic assistant is a rewarding career, but you must have the proper skills and requirements to get the job.

Let’s take a closer look at the skills needed to be a successful orthodontic assistant and the necessary points to consider adding to your orthodontic assistant resume.

What Types of Orthodontic Assistant Resume Skills Should I Include?

You should add multiple skills to your orthodontic assistant resume or lead orthodontic assistant resume. These orthodontic assistant skills for a resume include:

• Excellent communication
• Patient education
• Oral hygiene instruction
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Team coordination and collaboration
• Accuracy and good attention to detail
• Ability to adapt to new technology
• Orthodontic appliance knowledge
• Cost reduction and inventory management

• Treatment plan adherence and tracking
• Ability to manage an orthodontic laboratory
• Time management
• Patient record management
• Dental supply management
• Can handle the patient intake process
• Strong manual dexterity
• Dental radiography

What Are Skills Employers Look For in Orthodontic Assistants?

Some of the orthodontic assistant skills and duties for your resume include efficiency in the front office, orthodontics and clinic, and radiology. In addition, orthodontic assistants should meet OSHA standards, have excellent communication skills, and know how to disinfect and sterilize equipment properly.

What Makes a Good Orthodontic Assistant?

Beyond gaining necessary education, skills and experience, a strong orthodontic assistant knows how to make the patient feel comfortable throughout the duration of the appointment.

An excellent orthodontic assistant helps calm the patient by creating a relaxed environment. To be successful, an orthodontic assistant must have effective communication skills to explain procedures to the patients, educate them, and work jointly with the orthodontist.

What Communication Skills Do You Need For a Dental Assistant Resume?

Like orthodontic assistants, dental assistants must apply excellent communication skills to their job. A dental assistant should work efficiently to help patients feel more secure, aware of their emotions and responses.

Dental assistants should be aware if the patient is nervous and communicate to help them feel more comfortable. In addition to being soothing and comforting to patients, dental assistants should also know how to communicate effectively with the dentist and other staff members.

They must be able to discuss treatments and procedures with dentists and patients to provide the best care possible.

How Do I Write a Resume As an Orthodontic Assistant?

To begin writing your resume as an orthodontic assistant, you should set your font size to 11 or 12 points. Headings can be larger but only as significant as 14 points. You should include your full name, address, phone number, and email address for your header.

You should also include a cover letter to help the hiring manager better see why you are interested in the job and get to know you. The header on your cover letter should be the same as your resume.

This is an excellent orthodontic assistant resume example for how you should set your resume up:

Professional Summary

In your professional summary, you should explain how you are highly trained and list any years you have of experience. Explain why you would be the best fit for the job.

Work History

In this section, you should list your relevant work history for the job you are applying for. Be sure to list your job role, the company name where you worked, and the time you worked there. If you are applying as an orthodontic assistant for the first time and still need a work history, you can include any relevant internships, projects, and soft and hard skills.

Key Skills

For your key skills, list all the critical skills that determine why you are the best fit for the position. These skills can range from excellent communication skills to time management and working equipment knowledge. These skills will set you apart from the others who are applying for the same position as you.

Education and Certifications

Here, you list your education and any programs you attended. You should include any certifications here, especially information on when you passed the Certified Orthodontic Assistant exam. Also, list the dates you attended each school or certification program.

References

For your references, write one sentence for each person, explaining how you know them and for how long. Be sure to include their contact information, such as phone number and email.

Closing

When sending your resume, express gratitude in a paragraph or two to the hiring manager for considering your application and explain that you are excited to have an opportunity to join their team.

Reiterate your passion for the orthodontic assistant role and explain why you would be valuable to their team. Add your footer, including your name, address, and contact information again. Proofread and spell-check your resume to ensure there are no errors.

Conclusion

An orthodontic assistant is a rewarding and beneficial career. Receiving your orthodontic assistant training is the first step in advancing your career.

At The Howard Healthcare Academy, we will cover all orthodontic assistant requirements in our training program, ensuring you learn how to perform the everyday duties of an orthodontic assistant.

Contact The Howard Healthcare Academy today for more information on our Orthodontic Assistant Program!