How To Become An Orthodontist

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How Long Does It Take, What Degree Do You Need, and More

Orthodontists

Orthodontists examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.

Salary
$237990
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Doctoral degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Table of contents
  1. Summary
  2. Steps to become one
  3. Popular degree levels
  4. How long does it take

Summary

Degree Doctorate degree from an accredited Dental School
Degree field Dental Surgery and Dental Medicine
License or certification Required
Duration to become one 9 to 11 years
Difficulty to become one Very Hard

Orthodontists must obtain a Doctorate Degree from an accredited Dental School and complete an orthodontics residency. Before enrolling in Dental School, most Orthodontists earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Science or Nursing Science. When attending Dental School, aspiring Orthodontists choose between Dental Surgery and Dental Medicine, resulting in a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.

Orthodontists are required to obtain a dental license to practice orthodontic medicine in their state. Obtaining a license requires candidates to pass the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) and a clinical exam administered by a state agency.


Orthodontists Requirements

Step 1: Take Classes in Science and Math

Orthodontists need to use match and science in their careers. High school students should take classes in biology, chemistry, and physics, along with the highest level of math available.

Step 2: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Before enrolling in dental school, aspiring Orthodontists typically need a Bachelor’s Degree. Some dental school programs only require two years of undergraduate credits. However, completing a Bachelor’s program can help candidates get into competitive dental schools.

Most dental school programs do not require students to study a specific major. The most common majors include Medical Science and Nursing Science. Students who choose other majors may need to take prerequisite courses, including biology and chemistry.

Step 3: Consider Volunteering at Dental Clinics

Due to the competitiveness of dental school, students may want to consider volunteering at a dental clinic or private practice. Working in a clinical setting can give aspiring Orthodontists a closer look at the day-to-day activities of this profession and improve their dental school applications.

Step 4: Pass the Dental Admission Test

Aspiring Orthodontists need to pass the dental admission test (DAT) before applying for a program at a dental school. The exam includes four sections covering natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning.

Students should take practice tests and review the reference materials provided by the American Dental Association. Obtaining a low score on the DAT reduces a student’s chance of getting into the dental school of their choice.

Step 5: Complete a Dental School Program

Orthodontists need to earn a Doctorate from a dental school program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The programs typically take four years to complete. Getting into dental school is often competitive. The admissions committees look at DAT scores, GPAs, and letters of recommendation. Applications are often submitted during your third year of undergraduate studies.

The first two years of the dental program focus on coursework. Students take classes in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and dental-oriented sciences. Students may also start practicing dental procedures on replicas of human mouths and teeth.

The second half of the program focuses on clinical work. Students begin working with patients under the supervision of a licensed Dentist starting with their third year of school. Most schools use clinical rotations, which involves rotating students through multiple facilities in off-campus settings.

After completing the program, students receive a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctorate of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). DDS and a DMD are the same degrees. Some dental schools award a DDS while others award a DMD, but both degrees use the same curriculum and meet the same requirements.

Step 6: Pass the National Board Dental Examination

Obtaining a license to practice orthodontics involves multiple steps, including passing the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE). Students often take the exam after earning their Doctorate but before starting their residency.

The NBDE is a comprehensive test that takes three days to complete. The first part of the test includes 400 multiple-choice questions. It focuses on human anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, pathology, dental anatomy, and occlusion. The second portion of the exam is completed over two days. It covers topics related to clinical work, including operative dentistry, patient management, oral diagnosis, pain control, and pharmacology.

Step 7: Complete an Orthodontics Residency

Orthodontists need to complete an orthodontics residency program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. Most programs take three years to complete but there are a few residencies that only require two years.

Orthodontists can find suitable residency programs using the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH) or the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS). Candidates can complete a single form to submit applications to multiple residency programs. Residency programs focus on concentrations for professional careers. An orthodontics residency program covers the additional skills needed to practice orthodontics, as the dental school prepares students for general dentistry.

Step 8: Consider Earning a Professional Certification

Earning a certification from the American Board of Orthodontics is an optional step that looks good on resumes. The certification is voluntary and typically obtained by Orthodontists about halfway through their residency training. Candidates may take a written exam for the certification after completing 18 months of their residency program. If they pass the test, they can schedule a clinical exam.

Step 9: Obtain a License to Practice Dentistry

After completing the residency program, Orthodontists can complete the application for a state license. The process for obtaining a license varies from state to state. For example, some states offer a general dental license that is used for all dental specialties while others have specific orthodontic licenses.

While the process varies, most states require applicants to pass an exam and pay a licensing fee. The exams may include oral and written portions. Applicants who pass the exam and meet all additional requirements receive a license. The license typically needs to be renewed every three to five years and may require the completion of continuing education (CE) courses.

Step 10: Start Looking for Work

Licensed Orthodontists may start looking for work in their chosen profession. About 74% of Orthodontists work at dental offices, including dental clinics and private dental practices. Orthodontists may also find work at schools, colleges, and hospitals.

What degree do most Orthodontists have

Doctoral degree

We did a survey to ask other Orthodontists what degree they had when they first became one. Here are the results.

Post-Doctoral Training
92.36%

Doctoral degree
7.58%

High School Diploma
0.06%

How long does it take

9 to 11 years

Orthodontists need to earn a Doctorate from a four-year dental school and complete a three-year residency program. However, they must first complete at least two years of undergraduate study or earn a Bachelor’s Degree.


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