This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.
Also Known As:Board Certified Orthodontist, Dental Treatment Coordinator, Dentofacial Orthopedics Dentist, Invisible Braces Orthodontist, Orthodontic Dentist, Orthodontic Specialist, Orthodontic Treatment Coordinator, Orthodontics Doctor +3 more
Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.
Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.
Advise patients to comply with treatment plans.
Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.
Instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.
Coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services.
Design and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers, retainers, and labial and lingual arch wires.
Education & Training
Job Zone 5Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Post-Doctoral Training
69%
Doctoral Degree
12%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
8%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
7%
Bachelor's Degree
3%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)