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Orthodontist Information: An In-Depth Look

An orthodontist is a dentistry specialist who examines and treats malocclusions and other oral cavity abnormalities. He/she also plays a big part in the design and fabrication of devices, such as braces, that are used to align teeth as well as devices to align dislocated/broken jaws.  These doctors are also referred to by other names such as orthodontists include surgeons, dentists, periodontists and prosthodontists.   The information provided below is meant to enlighten you on what it takes to be an orthodontist and the career prospects. Going by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, they were approximately 7,700 orthodontists in the United States in the year 2008. Their number appears inadequate given the fact that about 50 percent of US citizens have either irregular teeth or misaligned teeth.

Most of the orthodontists are in private practice and work for approximately 30 to 40 hours per week. For orthodontists to fit a dental appliance on a patient, they have to study the patient’s diagnostics records which include the patient’s dental and medical history, plaster models, face and teeth photos as well as x-rays. They also help in correcting deformities in newborns such misaligned jaw line, cleft palates or cleft lips. They do this by working closely with other medical professionals including Orthopedists, cosmetic surgeons to come up with the most appropriate treatment procedure.

Orthodontist Salary Info

Education

In order to gain admission to a dental school, you would to complete a minimum of two years college pre-dental education. Most of the students who join dental schools basically have a bachelor’s degree, although, some of the institutions make special provisions for applicants with two or three years of college educations on the condition that they finalize their undergraduate studies while still in dental school. The American Dental Education Association provides elaborate orthodontist information on the best dental schools in the US

Registration

In addition to acquiring a degree from an accredited school, you would require to be registered member of the “American Board of Orthodontics” or a professional body of similar standing within your state. Most of the states require you to pass a written and oral practical exam administered by regional testing bodies or individual states. Candidates may fulfill part of the state requirements for written examinations by successfully taking the National Board Dental Examinations. Orthodontists can be licensed to practice nation wide.

Competency

In addition to fulfilling the aforementioned requirements, you would also have to be highly dexterous and posses refined diagnostic ability. A good memory and sound judgment with regard to colors, shapes and space would be very useful. It is also of the essence to have excellent business acumen, self-discipline and excellent communication skills in order to make headway in private practice. Association membership is also important as it helps improve the orthodontist’s image and credibility. At least 95 percent of orthodontists in the US are members of the “American Association of Orthodontists”.

The average salary for orthodontists is $200K per annum. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 9 per cent employment growth in this field between 2006 and 2016, with a prediction of approximately 10,000 workers in 2016.

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