Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Home :: Career Center
:: Healthcare Career Profiles :: Dental Career Profiles
Orthodontist - Career Profile |
Career OverviewAn orthodontist’s works to help straighten teeth and jaw alignment either for cosmetic appearance or for health reasons. The orthodontist uses braces, retainers, and other dental devices to adjust and reposition the teeth and jaws so that the patient either has a cosmetic improvement or improves the overall condition and health of their teeth.
Often the orthodontist uses x-rays, models and molds of the teeth to show progress and to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. The orthodontist also may indicate changes in treatment or may referrals to other medical and dental professionals or may work as part of an overall treatment team.
An orthodontist usually works in private practice and takes referrals from other health professionals. He or she may also be the first person to see a patient especially if the correction is for cosmetic purposes. Orthodontists may or may not be covered by insurance and they usually see their patients over a long period of time rather than just a few short sessions.
The average length of time for an orthodontist to work with a patient is two years, but more several dental conditions and adult patients may require addition time.
The orthodontist almost always has a regular set schedule and rarely works on-call or on weekends. Some orthodontist may choose to have evening and weekend appointments to accommodate for patients, but most do not.
|
Career RequirementsAn orthodontist must complete the basic dental programs of either a DDS or DMD, Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine, as well as a two or three year specialization training in orthodontics.
The specialization will result in a Masters in Science in Orthodontics, a PhD, or certification as an orthodontist, depending on the program taken. The training includes radiology, orthodontic techniques, treatment options, growth and development, as well as developing long-term treatment goals with patients.
The orthodontist will get both hands on experience and educational training during their program. Usually orthodontists practice in closely supervised research clinics to develop the skills they will need in their own practice.
|
Advertisement
|
Job OutlookAs people become more aware of the changes that orthodontics can have on their appearance and health more and more adults and children are using the services of an orthodontist. In addition there are more insurance policies and dental insurance carriers that are providing policies that include orthodontic work that are both affordable and easy for policyholders to understand.
As this trend increases the job outlook for orthodontists will continue to increase. The United States Department of Labor indicates that the orthodontic profession will see a steady, average increase in the amount of new positions available up to the year 2014.
|
Career TrackMost orthodontist work in private practice while there are some that work in research and even teaching at universities and clinic across the United States. The opportunities to open a private practice vary from location to location but generally there are opportunities in most major centers to purchase an existing practice or start a new practice.
|
CompensationIn the United States the average income for an orthodontist is approximately $120,000 - $135,000 per year. There are some orthodontists that have a large practice and a strong client base that earn between $150,000 and $164,000 per year.
Often these are individuals that have bought out a retiring orthodontist or have been in the same practice for many years and work in conjunction with several referring dentists.
|
|