We want YOU to earn a substantial orthodontist salary!
orthodontist salary

How to Become an Orthodontist in Washington

Orthodontist Income

Orthodontists are incredibly important to oral health, and there always seems to be room for more individuals within the profession. If you wish to pursue such a career in the state of Washington, there are steps that you must take. You must complete an undergraduate degree, a dental degree and a specialization in orthodontics, become licensed and prepare to find a job in one of the many practice areas available within the state.

Schooling

The first step toward becoming an orthodontist in Washington is, as in every other state, going to college. An undergraduate degree is necessary to become an orthodontist, of course, and most do choose either some form of pre-medical degree with a focus on anatomy and physiology or, in rare cases, a program that focuses directly on a pre-dental course of study. Students are generally expected to have a relatively high GPA as undergraduates to actually get into the dental program at any school, and the programs themselves can be quite competitive as only limited seats are available.

While Washington does allow those with degrees from any accredited dental school to practice, there is a school that one can attend in Washington state to become an orthodontist. The University of Washington School of Dentistry in Seattle is the only ADA-accredited university in Washington, and students that specialize in orthodontics at the school do have the ability to sit the necessary exams to actually practice. Orthodontics is a specialty within the dental profession, so students that wish to practice in such a manner are encouraged to take the necessary course work to ensure that they will be able to pursue such a career.

Certification

The process of becoming an orthodontist is quite similar to the process of becoming any other sort of medical professional. Once one has the necessary degree, the next step in the process is to simply apply for certification. To do so, one must have either completed or be in the process of completing their studies in an ADA approved orthodontics program. If accepted to the examination, one will then sit both a written and clinical examination that will test both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It generally takes some time to receive the results to the test, and even those that excelled in school are likely to fail upon first taking it.

Washington’s dental examinations go quite a long ways towards becoming an orthodontics, but one’s license must be maintained throughout the years. It is not necessary to retest for the license, but periodic payments must be made. It is also wise to find the standards set by various governing bodies like the American Board of Orthodontics, as those that meet the standards of larger organizations are far more likely to be competent to practice in their own area of specialty. This may involve other forms of training or testing, and membership is voluntary.

Work and Salary

There are many orthodontists in Washington, and the general orthodontist salary will vary by experience and location. The average orthodontist in the United States makes over $200,000 per year, while the average orthodontist in a metropolitan area of Washington makes over one hundred-thirty thousand. This average salary beats that of more rural areas by over twenty thousand dollars, and there are many fluctuations that be seen among those that practice within the state. While the population of an area generally has quite a bit to do with one’s salary, the type of work done also affects this number.

Those that work in their own practices tend to make quite a bit more than those that work for others, especially when years of experience are factored in. Those working for larger organizations tend to make a bit less, though they may receive benefits that make up for the lower pay. Those that work for non-profit or public agencies tend to make significantly less, though, and their pay may actually drop below six figures depending on the organization. As such, it is always wise to get a firm idea of the compensation in a given job before settling on anything.

Becoming an orthodontist in Washington takes quite a bit of education and testing, but it is a very lucrative career. There is only one certified school in Washington for those that want to pursue the career path, but it is possible to get the relevant training outside of the state. If you are interested in orthodontics and wish to practice in the state, it is always wise to contact those with experience in the field to find out a bit more about how to begin the journey to becoming an orthodontist.

Related Articles You May Like :)