Orthodontic Module

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.

When you complete this course, you can apply for the orthodontic designation with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP).

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 recordkeeping
  • 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 If it is not provided on the first day, you will automatically be withdrawn from the course without a refund.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: September 16 to November 17, 2024
Delivery: Theory - Asynchronous Online, Clinical Skills - In-person at the Nanaimo Campus (Dental Clinic)
Schedule: Asynchronous online coursework September 16 to November 8; clinical skills training November 15 to 17
Instructor: TBA
Tuition Fee: $1,850

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

Important registration note

When you register, the course will be listed as full. You can join the waitlist at no charge. We have set the system to create a waitlist so you can use the StrongerBC future skills grant to pay for the course if you're eligible. Joining the waitlist will allow you to apply for the future skills grant. If you do not wish to receive the grant and you plan on paying directly, please call registration at: Toll Free 1.866.734.6252

Sign up for Orthodontic Module