Find out what it means to be an orthodontic nurse, including role responsibilities, the skills required and how to qualify.
Orthodontic nurses play a vital role in the successful operation of an orthodontic practice. Through their unique skills and support they contribute to providing high quality care to orthodontic patients. The main goal of an orthodontic nurse is to keep everything running smoothly throughout the day for both the clinicians and the patients.
Each morning, the day starts with turning on the equipment for the day: compressors, dental chairs, flushing the water lines and sterilisation machine. I also make sure that my surgery is stocked with necessary supplies and materials needed for the day: napkins, cotton rolls instrument trays etc.
I then prepare and set up treatment trays for each appointment depending on the type of visit, the tray set up will be different for each patient.
As an orthodontic nurse I have a wide range of responsibilities in practice.
Main duties and roles:
- Patient preparation: I help to prepare patients for examination and treatment by helping patients wear the relevant protective gear, including eye cover and a protective bib
- Assisting in infection control: cleaning and sterilising dental equipment, instruments and patient area before and after each patient
- Assisting in patient records: this includes taking pre-treatment photos and scans as well as progress and final photos and scan. We are luck to have two Itero scanners in the practice!
- Assisting the orthodontist in procedures by preparing instruments and materials necessary. Basic understanding of orthodontic procedures is crucial for the smooth running of appointments!
- Performing administrative duties: occasionally I help at the front desk with scheduling appointments, taking payments and contacting patients. I am also responsible for ordering and stocking orthodontic supplies and materials
- Providing at home care instructions for fixed and removable orthodontic appliances: once patients have their removable or fixed appliances fitted, I provide patients with oral hygiene and diet instructions. This include teaching patients on brace friendly foods, how to clean the orthodontic appliances and how to maintain good teeth and gum health through out the treatment
- Assisting in remote monitoring: I am fortunate to work in an orthodontic practice that uses the AI latest technology in remote monitoring. I assist the orthodontist by reviewing patient online photos and scans and assess tooth position changes. I feedback to the orthodontists any changes that may require their attention.
Top skills for orthodontic nurses
To be a successful orthodontic nurse, there are multiple skills necessary:
- Teamwork skills: orthodontic nurses work as a part of a team whether it is a small or a large practice. You need to have good communication and listening skills as well as the ability to multi task
- Critical thinking: orthodontic practices are often busy fast paced environment. You need to be able to work under pressure and under demanding circumstances
- Multitasking skills: most orthodontists are busy with a day filled with patients. You will be on your feet most of the day; moving, cleaning and preparing instruments fast to keep up with the day
- Interpersonal skills: you will be working with people all day; good communication and listening skills are essential! Young patients are often anxious about having orthodontic treatment so having empathy can go a long way
- Organisation skills: preparing ahead for the start of the day is essential in helping with time management and the smooth running of the clinic
- Adaptation: a orthodontic nurse may work with different clinicians and so must learn to adapt to their way and style of working. It is important to be adaptable and once you have worked with a clinician few times you will learn their ways and it gets easier every time
- High motivation: the world of orthodontic is changing rapidly with new appliances and technology appearing all the time. It is essential that you keep up with new knowledge and skills to help provide the highest level of patient care.
Perks of being an orthodontic nurse
There are many reasons why I love working with orthodontic patients. Below are my four big ones:
- Helping people build their confidence: assisting in improving patients smile and seeing how their smile and confidence is transformed is very satisfying
- Improving oral health: we see mostly young orthodontic patients and they often need to be motivated to maintain their oral health throughout the orthodontic treatment and beyond. I very much enjoy educating patients on oral hygiene and diet
- A great working environment: no two days are the same and every day is exiting. There is always the opportunity to learn something new from your dental colleagues at work
- An opportunity for career development: working as an orthodontic nurse will open new doors especially if one is keen on being more hands on with patient care. There will always be the opportunity to study further and become an orthodontic therapist.
How to become an orthodontic nurse
In order to be able to work as an orthodontic nurse, you will first need to qualify as a general dental nurse. The process involves being enrolled in a national diploma programme which is accredited by the NEBDN. You will need to work in a general dental practice at least 16 hours a week, gaining experience in all aspects of general dental treatments.
As a trainee dental nurse you will need to be employed by the dental practice and be in a position to be able to complete the RoC (Record of Experience). The RoC is a portfolio of competence and evidence that you have assisted in a wide range of different dental procedures. You are also required to have at record of attendance of at least 70% during the 12-month period as a trainee nurse.
Once you qualify as a dental nurse, you can apply to work in an orthodontic practice and then apply for the NEBDN Orthodontic Dental Nursing, an orthodontic nursing course. This takes six months to complete.
Final words
As an orthodontic nurse, you will be a part of team including orthodontist, orthodontic therapist and hygienists. You are responsible for multiple different tasks that might vary from assisting in procedures, patient communication and administrative tasks. It is indeed a very fun and rewarding career.
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