The FADE Institute is pleased to offer the OAP program.  For the dental assistant (DA) or RDA who may be working in an orthodontic office or general practice, the OAP is a 55 – 84 hour program (depending on licensure status) offered over two weekends and includes approximately 24 – 32 hours of clinical competency and skills development in your dental office. Additionally, 35 hours of Continuing Education (CE) will be given for existing RDA’s completing the course of study.

Our program offers RDAs and DAs an affordable opportunity to complete the education and qualify for a permit to perform procedures such as:

• preparing teeth for orthodontic bonding materials

• select, preposition and cure orthodontic brackets

• remove orthodontic brackets and attachments

• size, fit and cement orthodontic bands

• remove excess cement from teeth using an ultrasonic scaler

All materials and instrumentation for the program will be provided to each enrolled student for use during instruction and lab procedures.  Clinical requirements for hours and clinical procedures to be performed on patients shall be done so in the dental office during the weeks following completion of all lecture and lab assignments.

A comprehensive study guide for the State Board written examination will be made available to all students.  Students will be meeting with our faculty one additional day following the completion of the course to submit all clinical competency paperwork, evidence of completion of requirements and to complete their State Board OA examination application.

Pre-requisites for OA Permit for the RDA:

For licensed Registered Dental Assistants (55-hour program):

• current BLS card (American Heart Association or Red Cross)
• current, active license as a Registered Dental Assistant – upon registration please enter your RDA license number in the “Company” line or in the “Order Notes” section; we will be able to verify if your license is active and valid via the DBC website; Please bring a copy of your pocket license on the first day of class.

Pre-requisites for the OA Permit for the DA include:

For unlicensed dental assistants (84-hour program):

• current BLS card (American Heart Association or Red Cross)
• completion of 8-hour Board approved course in Infection Control
• completion of 2-hour Board approved course in Dental Practice Act
• completion of no less than six months work experience as an unlicensed dental assistant (must complete one year before applying to the State Board examination)