Advice to the Ortho Assistant – Give encouragement to patients. If patients are undergoing a lengthy procedure, compliment them a few times during the appointment. They’ll appreciate it and feel better about the treatment they’re receiving. Saying things such as, “You’re doing great. We’re making great progress. We don’t have much longer to go.” will help ease patients’ anxiety. A friendly smile and kind words go a long way toward making patients feel more relaxed.