Basic Straight Wire Orthodontic Assistant Course
Feb 7-8, 2025
AOS Institute, Dallas, TX
20 CE Credits*
or call 972.234.4000
Workshop Overview
Course Overview
The Orthodontic Assistant Training Course is ideal for the dental practice that encourages cross-training and utilization of the staff to its maximum potential. The objective is to empower students to completely assist their doctors in everyday orthodontic practice. This course was designed for dental assistants by an orthodontic assistant, Susan Coffey, RDA. These courses are intended for dental auxiliaries and hygienists who have little or no training in orthodontics and want to begin to advance their orthodontic assistant skills. The assistant course covers the Williams' material and technique. This provides your entire team with the opportunity to be trained in the same method.
This course for dental assistants and hygienists is a unique 2 day course, which will elevate your staff’s orthodontic knowledge and includes Phase I (early treatment), Phase II (Class I & Class II), bracketing, wire placement, diagnostic records, mirror photography. Students do not need prior knowledge of orthodontic concepts.
Course Objectives
- Orthodontic Terminology & Instruments
- Diagnostic Orthodontic Records & Mirror Photography
- Importance of Cephalometric Landmarks
- Banding & Bracketing Teeth & Placing Separators
- Phase I – Early Treatment
- Utility Arch Wire & Its Capabilities
- Nitanium Palatal Expander (NPE)
- Phase II & Understand the Straight Wire Series
- The Difference Between Class I, II, & III
- Closing and Opening Space
- Opening Deep Bites
- Finishing Cases & Elastics Strategies
- Debonding & Retention – Lower Lingual Fixed Retainer
Course Content
This course has both hands-on exercises and lectures that will cover topics, including:
- Orthodontic Terminology & Instruments
- Diagnostic Orthodontic Records & Mirror Photography
- Importance of Cephalometric Landmarks
- Banding & Bracketing Teeth & Placing Separators
- Phase I – Early Treatment
- Utility Arch Wire & Its Capabilities
- Nitanium Palatal Expander (NPE)
- Phase II & Understand the Straight Wire Series
- The Difference Between Class I, II, & III
- Closing and Opening Space
- Opening Deep Bites
- Finishing Cases & Elastics Strategies
- Debonding & Retention – Lower Lingual Fixed Retainer
Course Schedule
This course has 1 session. Each session is 2 days and starts on Friday morning and concludes on Saturday at 5:30 pm. There is an optional case review on Friday from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm with dinner provided. Each session follows the same schedule as outlined below.
Registration is at 7:30 am Friday
Friday 8:00 am-5:30 pm
Friday 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
(Optional Case Review - Provided Dinner)
Saturday 8:00 am-5:30 pm
Continuing Education Credits*
- 20 CE credit hours (10 per session)
Susan Coffey
RDA
Click on a start date to see summary of all session dates.
The American Orthodontic Society is designated as an Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry. The formal continuing education programs of this program provider are accepted by the AGD for Fellowship/Mastership and membership maintenance credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial board of dentistry or AGD endorsement. The current term of approval extends from 10/1/2024 to 9/30/2026.
Provider ID# 217410
The American Orthodontic Society is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
Concerns or complaints about this CE provider may be directed to the provider or to ADA CERP at ada.org/cerp.
Pre-Course Preparation
What to Bring
The following is a list of items to bring with you:
A laptop or tablet to access course materials, digital manual, and take notes.
Magnification if you are accustomed to using them in your treatment. (Loupes)
Supplies and instruments for exercises (Shared in separate list via email)
Transportation Options
Visit the Campus Info & Tour tab for transportation options.
Accommodation Options
Visit the Campus Info & Tour tab for accommodation options.
Food Options
Breakfast
- Coffee, tea and light refreshments are offered in the AOS Institute reception area.
- Contracted hotels also offer full breakfast options for an additional fee.
- Local area restaurants offer delivery via Doordash or Uber Eats.
Lunch
- Lunch is on-your-own. While there are a few restaurants within walking distance, delivery from local restaurants via Uber Eats or Doordash is recommended.
- A full list of recommended restaurants can be found here.
Dinner
- An optional class dinner is coordinated on the first night of each session. This dinner is optional and each participant is responsible to settle their own check. This is a great opportunity to connect with your peers.
- Other dinners are on-your-own.
Food Delivery
- There are many local restaurants offering options to meet most food preferences. Food delivery via Doordash and Uber Eats are convenient and recommended. Allow 30-45 minutes for delivery or schedule your delivery.
- The AOS Institute address for delivery services is:
1785 TX-26 Suite 130
Grapevine, Texas 76051
Dress Code
- The dress code for the event is business casual.
- We recommend bringing a layer like a sweater or light jacket in case the classroom is cooler than you prefer.
Susan Coffey
RDA
Click on a start date to see summary of all session dates.
The American Orthodontic Society is designated as an Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry. The formal continuing education programs of this program provider are accepted by the AGD for Fellowship/Mastership and membership maintenance credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial board of dentistry or AGD endorsement. The current term of approval extends from 10/1/2024 to 9/30/2026.
Provider ID# 217410
The American Orthodontic Society is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
Concerns or complaints about this CE provider may be directed to the provider or to ADA CERP at ada.org/cerp.
Campus Info & Tour
Lodging Options
AOS has negotiated preferred rates for our course participants at the following hotels.
Hilton Garden Inn (Grapevine)
2240 Bass Pro Court, Grapevine TX 76051
This hotel is walkable from the AOS Institute and offers a convenient shuttle from the DFW Airport. View campus map to see it in more detail.
Courtyard by Marriott (Grapevine)
2200 Bass Pro Court, Grapevine TX 76051
This hotel is walkable from the AOS Institute and offers a convenient shuttle from the DFW Airport. View campus map to see it in more detail.
Additional hotels are convenient to the AOS Institute but do not have preferred rates. You can see them on the AOS Campus map by clicking here.
- Hilton DFW Conference Center
- Embassy Suites by Hilton
- Gaylord Texan Resort
- Great Wolf Lodge and Waterpark
Transportation Options
Air Travel
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport
5 Minutes from the AOS Institute
Most Direct Flights in the US
Free Shuttle to AOS Preferred Hotels
Dallas Love Field (DAL) Airport
29 Minutes from the AOS Institute
Primarily Services Southwest Airline Flights
Requires local transit or rideshare to access AOS Institute
Ground Transportation
Hotel Airport Shuttle
Complimentary - Available 6AM - 11:30PM
Shuttle Available by Request
Once you arrive and have all of your luggage. Call the hotel front desk to request a shuttle pickup. Make sure you know your terminal and pickup area before calling.
+1 817-601-8280
Lyft Rideshare Service
Available through the Lyft App
Download from the Google Play or Apple App Store
An account is required as well as a payment method on file. Some additional verification is required when setting up your account.
Both Airports have Designated Rideshare Pickup Locations
A map with information will also be available through the rideshare app.
Uber Rideshare Service
Available through the Uber App
Download from the Google Play or Apple App Store
An account is required as well as a payment method on file. Some additional verification is required when setting up your account.
Both Airports have Designated Rideshare Pickup Locations
A map with information will also be available through the rideshare app.
Leisure Activities
More details coming soon.
Restaurant Recommendations
More details coming soon.
Susan Coffey
RDA
Click on a start date to see summary of all session dates.
The American Orthodontic Society is designated as an Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry. The formal continuing education programs of this program provider are accepted by the AGD for Fellowship/Mastership and membership maintenance credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial board of dentistry or AGD endorsement. The current term of approval extends from 10/1/2024 to 9/30/2026.
Provider ID# 217410
The American Orthodontic Society is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
Concerns or complaints about this CE provider may be directed to the provider or to ADA CERP at ada.org/cerp.