History
The Academy of Orthodontic Assisting began as an idea in 1997 when Dr. Doug Depew, of Kennesaw, Georgia, found it extremely difficult to hire new assistants who had experience for his rapidly growing practice (www.depewsmiles.com). Like other doctors, he found that hiring people and training them from scratch was extremely time consuming, frustrating, and usually not as effective and thorough as he would have wished.
After a year and a half of developing curriculum, study materials, audiovisuals, and tests, the Academy went through a thorough certification process with the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission of Georgia. The first class in the summer of 1998 consisted of three young ladies. All three were enthusiastic about their new careers, learned quickly, and were even hired before the class finished. As the word spread to colleagues around the Atlanta orthodontic community, they became very excited about the new source for motivated, well-trained assistants. Many began sending their own employees through the program and referring prospective employees for training prior to hiring them.
The course is now available in other areas of the country and online to people all over the world. Dr. Depew has become recognized as an expert in the training of orthodontic auxiliaries and is frequently invited to speak at orthodontic meetings.
Milestones
1998- First class begins in Northwest Atlanta
- Second school opens in Northeast Atlanta as a franchise
- Milestone of 200 graduates
- Classroom program spreads to several other states
- Program becomes available online
- Licensed in multiple new states
- Dr Depew - featured speaker at the American Association of Orthodontists annual meeting in Hawaii
- DANB approves course for CE credit
- First international classroom program opens in Australia
- Program revision-several new topics added
- 2nd edition of student textbook "Orthodontic Assisting - Technique and Theory"
- Clinical Efficiency Retreats become available
- Strategic alliance formed with TeleVox to integrate AOA lessons with their T.LINK product
- Endorsed by the American Association of Orthodontists and formed a partnership to market and provide staff training to AAO members and their staffs.
- Dental Council of New Zealand requires Academy Certification for Orthodontic Auxiliaries.
