BOCO study guide
BOCO · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Board Certified Orthodontic Assistant (BOCO) credential is a professional certification for orthodontic assistants who want to demonstrate advanced knowledge and a commitment to the field. It is intended for assistants with clinical experience who wish to validate their skills beyond entry-level training, and it can support career advancement, employer confidence, and a sense of professional achievement. The BOCO study guide has 9 sections and about 2,359 words.
01Chairside Assisting and Orthodontic Procedures
Chairside assisting is about anticipation: knowing the next instrument, the next step, and the safety implication of each. Understand four-handed dentistry principles (transfer zones, instrument passing, ergonomics), moisture control (high-volume evacuation, saliva ejector, isolation), and the sequence of common restorative and surgical procedures.
298 words, about 1 min02Infection Control and Safety
Infection control rests on standard precautions applied to every patient. Know the chain of infection, hand hygiene indications, and the difference between cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization.
283 words, about 1 min03Dental Materials and Instrument Management
Know the major material families and their handling requirements. Restorative materials include amalgam, composite resin, glass ionomer, and resin-modified glass ionomer.
283 words, about 1 min04Radiography and Imaging
Understand image production, radiation safety, and quality assurance. Know the types of intraoral images (periapical, bitewing, occlusal) and extraoral images (panoramic, cephalometric, CBCT), and what each is used to evaluate.
270 words, about 1 min05Patient Records, Assessment, and Treatment Planning Support
Accurate records support diagnosis and continuity of care. Know the components of a dental record: medical and dental history, chief complaint, clinical findings, periodontal charting, radiographs, photographs, models, and treatment notes.
254 words, about 1 min06Patient Education and Communication
Effective communication improves adherence and satisfaction. Understand health literacy, teach-back, and plain-language explanations.
234 words, about 1 min07Practice Management and Administrative Procedures
Practice management covers scheduling, patient flow, financial arrangements, insurance, and records management. Understand appointment scheduling principles (buffer time, sequencing procedures by complexity), recall systems, and how to handle no-shows and cancellations.
233 words, about 1 min08Professional Ethics, Legal, and Regulatory Standards
Know the ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and veracity. Understand scope of practice, supervision levels, and delegation rules for dental assistants.
252 words, about 1 min09Applied Basic Sciences: Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology
Apply basic science to clinical situations. Know dental anatomy: tooth numbering, eruption timelines, and tooth morphology.
252 words, about 1 min