Blended online and in-person course
Are you a certified dental assistant or dental hygienist looking for more career opportunities? Expand your skill set with training in orthodontics to open new avenues for clinical practice.
With a blend of online and in-person learning, this course is a flexible way to gain new skills and new opportunities in the dental field.
CDAs that complete this course can apply for the orthodontic designation with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP). Dental hygienists may perform orthodontic services once they have completed this course.
What you learn in the orthodontic module
The course will cover all the expanded duties in orthodontics. This includes:
- placing and removing orthodontic separators
- preparing teeth for bonding or cementing of orthodontic attachments or bands
- fitting, placing and doing light curing orthodontic bands or bondable attachments
- removing excess adhesive material using appropriate instruments
- fiting and adjusting orthodontic appliances and archwires
- placing and ligating archwires
- removing ligating materials and archwires
- removing orthodontic bands and bonded attachments using appropriate instruments
You will learn the latest techniques in the field.
What to expect
This course offers comprehensive theory and practical instruction and supervision. You will do 24 hours of online coursework on your own time and 24 hours of in-person clinical training. The clinical training takes place over three 8-hour days in the Dental Clinic at VIU’s Nanaimo campus.
The topics covered in the course include:
- history of orthodontics
- occlusion
- terminology
- orthodontic instruments and equipment
- mechanics of orthodontics
- orthodontic record-keeping
- clinical orthodontic procedures
- orthodontic patient education
- infection control in orthodontics
- clear aligners
- advancements in orthodontics
Admission requirements
This course is open to dental assistants and hygienists who are registrants in good standing with the BCCOHP or other appropriate regulatory body in Canada. Proof of BCCOHP or other provincial body registration will be required on the first day. If it is not provided on the first day, you will automatically be withdrawn from the course without a refund. To avoid this, please ensure you have your appropriate registration prior to applying for the course.
Course details
Course Code: HHOM 020
Dates: Spring/Summer 2025, dates TBA. Watch this space.
Delivery: Theory - Asynchronous Online, Clinical Skills - In-person at the Nanaimo Campus (Dental Clinic)
Schedule: Asynchronous online coursework dates TBA; clinical skills training dates TBA.
Instructor: TBA
Tuition Fee: $1,900
We teach a wide range of skills to help prepare you to work across Canada. Please note that some of the skills we teach may not be within the scope of practice in some provinces. Clinicians are expected to understand and follow provincial regulations.
Cancellation policy
Please note that there is no refund for withdrawing from the course within 7 days of the start date. Please see our Professional Development and Training refund policy