Orthodontic Assistant Jobs for OPT Students
Orthodontic Assistant jobs on OPT are available at private orthodontic offices, DSO chains, and multi-specialty dental clinics. Most roles qualify for STEM OPT extension if your degree is in dental hygiene, health sciences, or a related STEM-classified field. Clinical hands-on work and radiology certification strengthen your candidacy significantly.
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Get Access To All Jobs$1500 SIGNING BONUS
We are looking for a part-time qualified Orthodontic Dental Assistant to join our Ortho team! Traveling to 2 offices in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.
The right applicant will have experience preparing ortho patients, ensuring that they are comfortable and offering another set of hands for procedures. Assistants must help Orthodontist to clearly see problems and changes within a patient's mouth. This often requires taking x-rays of the bone structure of a patient's jaw, as well as taking photographs of the teeth.
Locations:
All Family Dental and Braces
795 Summit St. Elgin, IL 60120
- Every other Monday 8:30am-6pm and every Friday 8:30am-6pm.
1044 W Rand Rd. Arlington Heights, IL 60004
- Every other Tuesday 8:30am-6pm and every Thursday 8:30am-6pm
POTENTIAL FOR FULL TIME SCHEDULE IF WILLING TO TRAVEL TO ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS.
Responsibilities
- Help Orthodontist prepare for procedures by having the necessary tools sterilized and in place
- Help keep a patient’s mouth clean and dry during procedures and hand the Orthodontist the necessary tools at the appropriate time
- Patient education; explain procedures and discuss treatment progress and plans
- This position will include all aspects of clinical dental care
Requirements
- Previous ortho chairside assisting is REQUIRED
- Coronal polishing/sealant, and/or nitrous certified a plus
- Must be willing to travel between offices (mileage reimbursement)
Candidate Characteristics
- Resonate with UDP’s Core Values: Passion, Urgency, Collaboration, Responsibility, and Pride
- Embody a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the workday
- Display and demonstrate excellent and natural communication skills with staff and patients
- Excellent customer service skills with an outgoing, people friendly personality
- Desire to learn new skills and expand your potential
Compensation Package and Benefits
We empower and support our people to achieve their maximum potential in the office and in their daily lives. As a team member, you’ll enjoy:
- Compensation that is competitive in our market and is commensurate with experience.
IF FULL TIME STATUS, BENEFITS ALSO INCLUDE:
- Comprehensive Medical plans, with varying costs and coverage, for individuals and families. UDP pays on average 66% of the premium!
- Dental Insurance with Orthodontia benefits and Vision Insurance.
- Plus! Deep discounts on dental care in one of our offices, and the option to extend the benefit to your family or friends.
- Disability, Accident Coverage, and Life Insurance benefits for all eligible employees.
- 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions.
- Pretax Flexible Spending Accounts for qualified medical expenses.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which provides free and confidential help for mental health, financial issues, or other personal matters.
- Commuter Benefits for select positions.
- Supportive Paid Time Off and Holiday programs.
The UDP Way
Starting with a single office a decade ago, two dentists founded and pursued the simple purpose of providing high-quality, affordable dental care for children and families. Today, with 24 offices and more on the way, our mission continues to provide high-quality, accessible, and comprehensive dental care throughout the communities we serve. At United Dental Partners, you will work with a diverse and highly talented team, and joining means you join a seamless network of colleagues who work together to deliver great dental experiences.
UDP123
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $19.00 - $24.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Travel reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Orthodontics: 1 year (Required)
Language:
- Spanish (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Coronal Polish Certificate (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
- 100% (Required)
Work Location: On the road
$1500 SIGNING BONUS
We are looking for a part-time qualified Orthodontic Dental Assistant to join our Ortho team! Traveling to 2 offices in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.
The right applicant will have experience preparing ortho patients, ensuring that they are comfortable and offering another set of hands for procedures. Assistants must help Orthodontist to clearly see problems and changes within a patient's mouth. This often requires taking x-rays of the bone structure of a patient's jaw, as well as taking photographs of the teeth.
Locations:
All Family Dental and Braces
795 Summit St. Elgin, IL 60120
- Every other Monday 8:30am-6pm and every Friday 8:30am-6pm.
1044 W Rand Rd. Arlington Heights, IL 60004
- Every other Tuesday 8:30am-6pm and every Thursday 8:30am-6pm
POTENTIAL FOR FULL TIME SCHEDULE IF WILLING TO TRAVEL TO ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS.
Responsibilities
- Help Orthodontist prepare for procedures by having the necessary tools sterilized and in place
- Help keep a patient’s mouth clean and dry during procedures and hand the Orthodontist the necessary tools at the appropriate time
- Patient education; explain procedures and discuss treatment progress and plans
- This position will include all aspects of clinical dental care
Requirements
- Previous ortho chairside assisting is REQUIRED
- Coronal polishing/sealant, and/or nitrous certified a plus
- Must be willing to travel between offices (mileage reimbursement)
Candidate Characteristics
- Resonate with UDP’s Core Values: Passion, Urgency, Collaboration, Responsibility, and Pride
- Embody a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the workday
- Display and demonstrate excellent and natural communication skills with staff and patients
- Excellent customer service skills with an outgoing, people friendly personality
- Desire to learn new skills and expand your potential
Compensation Package and Benefits
We empower and support our people to achieve their maximum potential in the office and in their daily lives. As a team member, you’ll enjoy:
- Compensation that is competitive in our market and is commensurate with experience.
IF FULL TIME STATUS, BENEFITS ALSO INCLUDE:
- Comprehensive Medical plans, with varying costs and coverage, for individuals and families. UDP pays on average 66% of the premium!
- Dental Insurance with Orthodontia benefits and Vision Insurance.
- Plus! Deep discounts on dental care in one of our offices, and the option to extend the benefit to your family or friends.
- Disability, Accident Coverage, and Life Insurance benefits for all eligible employees.
- 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions.
- Pretax Flexible Spending Accounts for qualified medical expenses.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which provides free and confidential help for mental health, financial issues, or other personal matters.
- Commuter Benefits for select positions.
- Supportive Paid Time Off and Holiday programs.
The UDP Way
Starting with a single office a decade ago, two dentists founded and pursued the simple purpose of providing high-quality, affordable dental care for children and families. Today, with 24 offices and more on the way, our mission continues to provide high-quality, accessible, and comprehensive dental care throughout the communities we serve. At United Dental Partners, you will work with a diverse and highly talented team, and joining means you join a seamless network of colleagues who work together to deliver great dental experiences.
UDP123
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $19.00 - $24.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Travel reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Orthodontics: 1 year (Required)
Language:
- Spanish (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Coronal Polish Certificate (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
- 100% (Required)
Work Location: On the road
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as an Orthodontic Assistant
Confirm your degree's STEM classification
Check whether your dental, health sciences, or biology degree appears on the official STEM OPT Designated Degree Program List. A STEM-classified degree gives you up to three years of OPT work authorization, which makes you far more attractive to orthodontic employers.
Get your radiology certification before applying
Most orthodontic offices require state-specific dental radiography certification before hiring. Completing this before your job search removes a common hiring barrier and signals to employers that you can start contributing clinically from day one without additional training delays.
Target DSO groups and multi-location practices
Large dental service organizations employ HR teams with experience hiring international candidates on OPT. They process employment verifications and I-983 training plans more smoothly than small private offices, which often have no prior OPT onboarding experience and may hesitate unnecessarily.
Address OPT authorization proactively in your application
Include a brief note in your cover letter stating your OPT status, authorized start date, and whether you qualify for STEM extension. Orthodontic hiring managers often misunderstand OPT requirements, so framing it clearly upfront prevents your application from being filtered out prematurely.
Obtain your CPR and infection control certifications
Current BLS-level CPR certification and infection control training are standard requirements for clinical dental roles. Having both credentials in place before you apply demonstrates clinical readiness and removes compliance concerns that could otherwise cause employers to delay or decline your hire.
Build hands-on clinical hours through school externships
Orthodontic employers prioritize candidates who have real chairside experience with bracket placement, wire changes, and patient management. Externship hours completed during your program count as verified clinical experience and directly offset the perceived risk of onboarding an OPT student for a clinical position.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Orthodontic Assistant on OPT?
Yes. Orthodontic Assistant roles qualify for OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. If your degree is in dental hygiene, health sciences, or another STEM-classified program, you may also qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total work authorization in this role.
Do Orthodontic Assistant employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
It varies significantly by employer size. Large dental service organizations with dedicated HR functions are more likely to have H-1B sponsorship experience than small private orthodontic offices. During your OPT period, it's worth having a direct conversation with your employer about their sponsorship history before your OPT expires. Browse current openings on Migrate Mate to identify employers who have sponsored international candidates before.
Does an Orthodontic Assistant role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific degree, not the job title itself. The STEM OPT extension is tied to whether your degree program appears on the Department of Homeland Security's Designated Degree Program List. Common qualifying degrees for this role include dental hygiene, health sciences, and biology. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before assuming STEM eligibility.
What licenses or certifications do I need to work as an Orthodontic Assistant on OPT?
Requirements vary by state. Most states require dental radiography certification to take X-rays, and some require a registered dental assistant credential for expanded functions like coronal polishing or sealant placement. CPR certification is nearly universally required. Complete your state's required certifications before starting your OPT job search so licensing delays don't affect your employment start date.
How does the I-983 training plan work for STEM OPT Orthodontic Assistants?
For STEM OPT, your employer must sign and co-develop an I-983 training plan with you that outlines the specific learning goals and skills you'll develop in the role. For Orthodontic Assistants, this typically includes clinical skill development in orthodontic procedures, patient care, and radiology. The plan must show a direct connection between your clinical work and your STEM degree program.
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