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How to Become an Orthodontist in Oregon

Orthodontist Yearly PayThe field of orthodontics offers a very prosperous and rewarding future. At the same time, the educational requirements to become a professional orthodontist are both time consuming and extensive. Individuals who choose a career in orthodontics should be prepared to study for the long haul in order to accomplish their goal. By investing a great deal of time, commitment and hard work in this area, your perseverance will pay off in achieving your degree and license, enabling you to begin practicing your profession.

An Overview of Orthodontics

An orthodontist specializes in proper alignment of a person’s  teeth, lips and jaws, for either aesthetic or functional purposes. An orthodontist may prescribe any number of treatments to help align your teeth to include dental braces, retainers, teeth removal, etc. People often acquire the services of an orthodontist for cosmetic reasons; however, proper teeth alignment is also very important in order for your teeth to function properly. Improper alignment of your teeth may cause  dental problems for the future. Therefore, orthodontic treatments not only improve your smile, but they can avert any other problems with your teeth later in life.

A career in the orthodontic field can be very demanding, due to the years of required study before you can actually begin your practice. However, it also has its rewards as you have the opportunity to provide a much needed service. The value of an attractive smile cannot be underestimated in terms of raising a person’s confidence and self-esteem. The orthodontic profession, along with many other health care jobs, are highly respected for the services provided to the community. Due to the great demand for this field, people seeking a career in this area will have little difficulty finding security and stability for their future.

Educational Requirements

The educational requirements to become an orthodontist in Oregon begin with completing your high school education. From there  students enroll in a college of their choice to complete a Bachelor’s degree, generally in medical science or related field. Once you have completed an undergraduate program, you are ready to enroll in a qualified dental school for 4 more years of intensive study in the dentistry field. Dental applicants are also required to take an American Dental Association exam before being admitted to dental school.

Dental school programs vary in length and content, depending on the branch of dentistry you want to study. It is not uncommon for orthodontic training to last an additional four years after your initial graduation from college – two years of classroom studies and two years of on the job training. Graduates of these  school earn the degrees of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM).

Upon completion of this post graduate program, Oregon orthodontic students must yet complete another several years of specialized orthodontic training before they can earn their place in the professional orthodontic community. Here students will truly learn the intricacies of their prospective field, by developing the technical ability and skills required for the job. Those who successfully graduate from this level of advanced training and education are eligible to take their exams to acquire a license to practice in their state. Voluntary certification can be obtained by the American Board of Orthodontics by passing their clinical and written exams.

In summary, education requirements for a practicing orthodontist in Oregon include:

  • Completion of a Bachelors’s degree in college, generally 3 – 4 year program
  • Completion of a 4-year dental program in dental school
  • Completion of a 2–3 year post-graduate program in specialized orthodontics training

As can be seen, a career in this field requires extensive studies as well as a considerable investment of time and finances. After reviewing all the educational requirements in detail, to include the various curricula and courses for training, you can make a more knowledgeable decision as to whether this is the career choice for you.

Orthodontist Studies in Oregon

When choosing a college or university to begin your orthodontist studies, you would do well to choose a school that offers a good medical science, nursing or premed program where you can complete a Bachelor of Science degree. The Oregon Health and Science University hosts an excellent study program for prospective dentistry graduates in the orthodontic field. Combining highly experienced faculty and staff with a strong curricula, students receive a well rounded education that prepares them for their dental school training and beyond.

School of dentistry programs are highly competitive; therefore, you will need to work hard to maintain excellent grades if you hope to be one of the few that are accepted. Coursework may consist of general topics such as anatomy, microbiology and physiology along with specialized coursework related to the orthodontic field, i.e. dental anatomy, occlusion, dental materials, etc. Training consists of both classroom learning and practical experience on the field, treating real patients in real life clinics as part of your residency practice.

Prospective Salaries of Orthodontists

Orthodontist salaries are fairly substantial, in reflection of the amount of training and education required for their field. In 2010, average salaries within the U.S. ranged from approximately $72,000 to over $200,000 a year. Working conditions in this profession are generally quite good. Professional orthodontists have a choice of working in hospitals, private clinics, doctor’s offices or they can open their own facilities as a self-employed professional in their field.

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