Written by: Diya Shah
Edited by: Chantelle and Sofia
A Day In The Life Of A Orthodontist The most common duty of an orthodontist on a daily basis is using braces,
wires, and appliances to perform tasks in a patient’s mouth, such as straightening their teeth. : Although orthodontists primarily focus on patients’ teeth, they can also work with their mouth and jaw areas. Other activities orthodontists perform on a daily basis include maintaining patient records, creating appliances that fit an individual, evaluating a patients’ teeth and figuring out a treatment plan, making models of patients teeth, taking photos or x-rays, or diagnosing them with an abnormality. Most work done by orthodontists is not just a one day thing and requires maintenance that can last for months or years. That being said, orthodontists end up working with the same patients for a while to ensure proper treatment of their teeth, mouth, or jaw.
Educational Steps
Educational steps for dental school vary depending on the university you attend. Most dental schools require an undergraduate degree of four years, but certain schools accept students with only two years of undergraduate studies. Most common undergraduate classes include math and science related classes, and many students go on to obtain a bachelors in science. After undergraduate school, the individual may be required to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), which allows dental schools to test the individual on their prerequisite. The DAT includes questions that require critical thinking, reading comprehension, reasoning, and knowledge in chemistry and biology Some schools require that you take the Graduate Record Examinations(GRE) and the DAT before applying. The next step is to attend dental school for at least four years. The first two years will mainly consist of coursework, while the other two have a greater focus on hands-on learning. After completing dental school, you receive your Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. Once you receive your degree, you will be required to take a National Board of Dental Examination, which, once passed, allows you to apply for a dental license. Obtaining a degree and license will then allow you to complete orthodontic residency lasting two or three years. If you choose to specialize, this is when you begin to choose and focus more on that specialty in residency. The final step to becoming an orthodontist is taking the American Board of Orthodontics, a written and oral exam. Once completed, you are all set to work, but you are required to take a renewal exam every 10 years.
Bibliography
Learn.org -, learn.org/articles/What_Are_the_Duties_of_an_Orthodontist.html#:~:text=On%20a%20daily%20basis%2C%20orthodontist,spacers%2C%20arch%20wires%2C%20etc.
“Educational Requirements for Becoming an Orthodontist.” Indeed Career Guide, www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/orthodontics-school-requirements.