Advance your career with an Orthodontic Assisting Permit
Loma Linda University School of Dentistry began its Orthodontic Assisting Permit (OAP) Program in 2016 and is the only program in Southern California held at a fully accredited dental school. This comprehensive course is available to both RDA and DA applicants and combines lectures, hands-on laboratory instruction, and live patient clinical experiences. Lectures and instruction are provided by experienced LLU faculty and scheduled in the evenings or on Sundays to accommodate working professionals.
Assistant Director, Alumni Affairs
Director, RDAEF & OAP Programs
Loma Linda University School of Dentistry
- Students will learn and perform all Orthodontic Assisting Permit duties, which include:
- Preparing teeth for bonding and selecting, pre-positioning, and curing (after approval by the supervising licensed dentist) orthodontic brackets.
- Removing orthodontic brackets and attachments. Removal of bonding material will be completed by the supervising licensed dentist.
- Sizing, fitting, and cementing orthodontic bands.
- Removing orthodontic bands and excess cement from supragingival surfaces of teeth with a hand instrument.
- Placing and ligating archwires.
This program satisfies the California Dental Board’s requirements for Orthodontic Assisting Permit Licensure.
During the program, RDA participants will complete 55 hours of instruction (35 hours at LLU / 20 hours extern at extramural facility) and DA participants will complete 84 hours of instruction (52 hours at LLU / 32 hours extern at extramural facility).
These ten lecture and/or laboratory classes are held onsite at the LLU School of Dentistry with three 8-hour Sunday sessions, four 4-hour Tuesday evening sessions, and three 4-hour Thursday evening sessions. Clinical hours may be completed at a private practice or at LLU facilities. Near the program's end, students must complete each procedure on two live patients in private practice, with their dentist supervising each procedure.
Attendance for all required sessions is mandatory. Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) must attend the first seven sessions. Dental Assistants (DAs) are required to attend all sessions.
Class Dates:
- January 12, 14, 17, 26, 28, 31
- February 9, 11, 14, 23
To apply for the program, complete the online application and submit a $750 deposit. Next, email the following list of required supporting documents to the program director, Jeri Fowler, by January 1, 2027. Upon acceptance into the program, you will receive enrollment confirmation.
Required Supporting Documents:
- Current Registered Dental Assistant License OR proof of 6-months experience working as a dental assistant (A letter from the employer/Dentist is required.)
- Current CPR Basic Life Support Certification (AHA or ARC)
- Proof of having completed an 8-hour Board-approved course in infection control
- Proof of having completed a 2-hour Board-approved course in California Dental Practice Act
- *Verification of T.B. skin test or chest x‐ray clearance within the last year
- *HBV vaccination clearance
- *Proof of liability insurance coverage
- Complete the LLUSD Photo and Video Consent
*Applicants completing extramural requirements in a private practice do not need to provide this documentation.
Liability Insurance
Students completing their extramural requirements at LLU facilities must provide proof of professional liability insurance before any patient treatment is performed. Below are a couple of suggested resources. LLU has no affiliation with, nor do we endorse, any of these companies. Students are free to choose their own insurance provider.
AMBA
Allied Health is the professional liability insurance carrier. Visit www.proliability.com for a quote OR call the sales department at 1-800-375-2764, press option 1 for sales.
CM&F Group
Visit www.cmfgroup.com to apply for an individual policy and receive same-day proof of coverage. Applicants may also call 800-221-4904.
Total program Fee: $1,500
Prospective students are required to make a $750 deposit when submitting their application for the program. The remaining $750 must be paid by the first day of class. Cancelations received prior to January 2, 2027 will qualify for a refund, minus a $200 non-refundable fee.
Funding Options
Funding is available to qualified candidates through the Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan program. Please visit the Sallie Mae website for more information.
This program is not eligible for other conventional federal student loan funding. However, participants for this program may be eligible to finance the cost of this professional development program through personal loans from a bank or credit union. Interest-free payment plans are also available through the Office of Continuing Dental Education. Email Jeri Fowler or call 909-558-4685 for more information.