Orthodontics for Dental Therapists, Hygienists and Oral Health Therapists

• Identify the information required by patients undergoing orthodontic treatment
• Appropriately use orthodontic instruments and equipment
• Take clinical photographs, use contemporary technologies for digital scanning and other records for orthodontic purposes
• Place and remove elastomeric separators
• Remove brackets and other appliances and related accessory materials used in orthodontic treatment/therapy
• Place and fix arch wires
• Select and prepare bands for cementation
• Re-cement loose bands and brackets
• Remove orthodontic cement and materials after band and bracket removal
• Placement of orthodontic aligner attachments and maintenance of aligners
• Prescribe preventive modalities to protect and promote oral health during orthodontic treatment
• Provide patients with accurate information relating to the care and maintenance of teeth and fixed and/or removable orthodontic appliances
• Identify and refer conditions requiring management by an orthodontist or other dental professional

For those who have not worked in orthodontic practice prior to undertaking this course, we recommend that you arrange to spend a day observing in a practice both before and after the course. This is to support your learning and to provide a basic understanding of a range of orthodontic procedures and how an Oral Health Therapist, Dental Hygienist or Dental Therapist fits into an orthodontic team.

If you are currently employed in an orthodontic practice and have past and current experience with day-to-day orthodontic activities that are part of the scope of practice, this will provide the required background knowledge.

23.5 hours of scientific CPD awarded

Participants enrolling in this program must hold a current licence to practice within Australia.

The online content for this program, must be completed in full before attending the face-to-face hands-on sessions at the Melbourne Dental School.

Monday 9 November 2026 - (7.30pm - 8.30pm - Melbourne time) - details to follow upon enrolment.