2. Job Description
ā¢ Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that
examines and treats dental malocclusions.
ā¢ Orthodontists design and create appliances for
the realignment of teeth and jaws to create and
maintain an overall better bite and to improve a
personās appearance.
ā¢ They examine x-rays of patientās teeth and facial
pictures to create a treatment plan.
3. Education
ā¢ Must complete at least 2 years of undergraduate
education.
ā¢ Many earn at least a bachelorās in a science or
math related field such as
biology, chemistry, physics or health before
enrolling in a dental school.
ā¢ Complete 4 years of an approved dental school.
ā¢ Complete 2-3 years of orthodontist training.
4. Salary
ā¢ An Orthodontistās mean annual salary in the
United States is $204,670 a year.
ā¢ The lowest 10% earn about $70,530, while
the highest 10% earn around $300,000 per
year.
ā¢ The top 5 highest paying states are
Kansas, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio and New York
with Orthodontists making an annual mean of
$232,010 to $249,580.
5. Career Skills
ā¢ Must be active listeners and be capable of
communicating oral information and ideas to
orthodontic technicians, orthodontic assistants
as well as patients.
ā¢ Have good reading comprehension skills as well
as oral.
ā¢ Must have the ability to keep hand and arm
steady.
ā¢ Should be able to quickly detect when a problem
has occurred.
ā¢ Must have the ability to precisely grasp and
assemble small objects.
6. Certification/Licensure
ā¢ Orthodontic students can gain certification
through the National Board of Orthodontics or the
American Board of Orthodontics.
ā¢ Both require to have graduated from an
approved dental school and have experience
as a practicing orthodontist.
ā¢ The American Board of Orthodontics requires
diplomats to retake the certification exam
periodically.
ā¢ The National Board of Orthodontics requires
you to meet any continued education
requirements.
ā¢ Some states may require additional orthodontic
licensure.
7. Employment
ā¢ Orthodontists usually work in offices or clinics.
ā¢ Most work approximately 30-40 hours per week.
ā¢ Many Orthodontists who begin to practice on
their own typically work longer.
ā¢ The total employment in the USA was 8,300 in
2010, with an estimated increase by 21% by the
end of 2020 according to the Bureau of Labor.