Becoming an Orthodontist: Creating Beautiful Smiles and Improving Oral Health
Orthodontists treat periodontal issues, realign teeth with braces and retainers, design appliances, diagnose jaw development problems, and aim to enhance smiles and oral health. Education involves pre-dental studies, dental school, and on-the-job training. Good communication, organization, and scientific skills are required to succeed in this field.
Becoming an Orthodontist: Creating Beautiful Smiles and Improving Oral Health
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Presentation Transcript
Orthodontists By Ashley Killingsworth
I want to go into the dental field after college. I would like to go beyond a dentist and become an orthodontist. I am interested in this career because I want to provide people with a beautiful smile. Also, I want to become one because it has a good pay.
Description • Treat periodontal problems and cleft jaws • Realign teeth (often use retainers and braces) • Design and make appliances • Observe, diagnose, and treat problems with development of the jaw • Main goal is to improve smiles and oral health • Ortho means straight • Odont means tooth
Skills • Good communication • Well-organized • Management skills • Scientific abilities • Approachable • Friendly
Education • Minimum- 2 year pre-dental • Bachelor’s Degree followed by 4 years of dental school • Dental school: either pursue Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine • After schooling: 2-3 years on-the-job training • Dental students range in major • Most major in science (biology/chemistry) • Dental school studies: anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, physiology, extended laboratory techniques, clinical practices • Recommended high school courses: biology, chemistry, physics, health, math
Work Condition Many make their own business (offices) Most work 4 to 5 days a week Full time is 35-40 hours a week
Monetary Conception • Salary around $164,150 a year • Varies due to location, hours worked, etc. • Related jobs: • Dental Assistant- $29,608 • Dental Hygienist- $57,179 • Dental Laboratory Technician- $36,843
Outlook • Job prospects should be decent • Industry has been increasing • Younger orthodontists will be able to take over older orthodontist’s businesses due to retirement and hour cut backs • With the slow economy the demand slightly decreases and may leave difficulty in finding a job in the field
Content I have learned in this class has somewhat helped me. Although we didn’t learn about the placements of teeth, I have learned how our jaws are shaped while learning about evolution. Also, by leaning about diseases and cancer of the mouth, which I will see as an orthodontist.