Dentists and orthodontists take care of your mouth, but do you know the difference? A dentist is a highly trained doctor whose specialty is oral health. Orthodontist are dentist who have completed additional training after dental school to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.
Only about six percent of dentists go on to become orthodontists. Although the job market looks good, the path to becoming an orthodontist is not easy.
There are three steps to becoming one: 4 years of college, 4 years of dental school, then an additional 2-3 years of orthodontic residency. Typically, orthodontists limit their work to orthodontics, unless they’ve completed other dental specialty training.
College and Dental School
The first step toward dental school is college. You will need to major in an area that will let you transfer into the school of your choice. Biology or chemistry is a good area of study to prepare yourself. Before you ever graduate with your bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to be thinking about the dental school you want to attend. Make sure to take classes that meet the requirements of the college. You may need to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), which is the equivalent of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
After you get into dental school, the hard work starts. It takes four years to complete, and you will be attending classes and lectures during the day. Once you’re ready to see patients, you will have appointments to practice what you’ve learned. Lab work is completed at night, and you need to study for exams at night. You have to complete dental school before applying to the orthodontics program of your choice. It is very competitive, as there are about 15 applicants for each opening.
Becoming an Orthodontist
A specialty degree in orthodontics requires a minimum of two years of additional academic work beyond dental school. Most programs also require a thesis, which is a large research project. You will also have a residency where you see patients and work under the supervision of an orthodontist. Once you complete your degree, you have to become licensed in the state where you want to practice. Some states require an additional examination in addition to your degree.
Although the road seems long, orthodontics is a rewarding career. There is no lack for employment, because there is a huge need for orthodontists. There are many appliances that help orthodontists create beautiful smiles in adults and children, and orthodontist unique qualifications give them the edge when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of orthodontic problems.
