Questions for “Orthodontist”

What are job tasks you do?

What are skill and ability requirements for orthodontis?

What are the highlights of being an orthodontist?

What education did you receive?

How did you choose your undergraduate major? What was it?

How do you prepare for the DAT exam?

Why did you choose orthodontics over other dental specialties, how
much additional schooling after dental school required?

Do you think biomedical engineering would be a good undergraduate

degree?

How did you choose a dental school?

What requirements were needed for dental school?

How many dental schools did you apply to?

How did you decide which dental schools to apply to?

How many years of schooling to be an orthodontist?

How did you finance your education?

How did you go about setting up your practice? How long did it take
to make money?

What was the most difficult part of becoming an orthodontis?

What do you like most about your job?

Do you spend as much time running a business as practicing?

Job Tasks for: "Orthodontist"
Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths in order to alter the position and relationship of
teeth and jaws, and to realign teeth.

Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.

Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.

Study diagnostic records such as medical/dental histories, plaster models of the teeth,
photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays in order to develop patient treatment
plans.

Instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.

Adjust dental appliances periodically in order to produce and maintain normal function.

Coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services.

Design and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers, retainers, and labial and
lingual arch wires.

Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.

Examine patients in order to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and
other dental-facial structures.

Skill Requirements for: "Orthodontist"

Science -- Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Reading Comprehension -- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work

related documents.

Judgment and Decision Making -- Considering the relative costs and benefits of
potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Critical Thinking -- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses
of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Equipment Selection -- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Technology Design -- Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user

needs.

Active Learning -- Understanding the implications of new information for both current
and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Operations Analysis -- Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Service Orientation -- Actively looking for ways to help people.

Speaking -- Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Ability Requirements for: "Orthodontist"

Arm-Hand Steadiness -- The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving
your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Control Precision -- The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a
machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Manual Dexterity -- The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with
your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Problem Sensitivity -- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go

wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Oral Expression -- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so

others will understand.

Oral Comprehension -- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas
presented through spoken words and sentences.

Job Activities for: "Orthodontist"

Getting Information -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from
all relevant sources.

Handling and Moving Objects -- Using hands and arms in handling, installing,
positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Assisting and Caring for Others -- Providing personal assistance, medical attention,
emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or
patients.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems -- Analyzing information and evaluating
results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events -- Identifying information by categorizing,

estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in
circumstances or events.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization -- Communicating with people

outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public,
government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in
writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings -- Monitoring and reviewing

information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates -- Providing information to

supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in
person.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public -- Performing for people or
dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores,
and receiving clients or guests.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships -- Developing constructive

and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Highlights For Dentists

• Most dentists are solo practitioners.

• Dentists usually complete at least 8 years of education beyond high school.
• Average employment growth will generate some job openings, but most openings
will result from the need to replace the large number of dentists expected to retire.
• Job prospects should be good.

Nature of the Work For Dentists

Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and tissues in the mouth, along with
giving advice and administering care to help prevent future problems.

They provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides, and other
aspects of dental care. They remove tooth decay, fill cavities, examine x rays, place
protective plastic sealants on children’s teeth, straighten teeth, and repair fractured teeth.
They also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum
diseases. Dentists extract teeth and make models and measurements for dentures to
replace missing teeth. They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for
antibiotics and other medications.

Dentists use a variety of equipment, including x-ray machines, drills, mouth mirrors,
probes, forceps, brushes, and scalpels. They wear masks, gloves, and safety glasses to
protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases.

Dentists in private practice oversee a variety of administrative tasks, including

bookkeeping and the buying of equipment and supplies. They may employ and supervise
dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental laboratory technicians, and receptionists.
(These occupations are described elsewhere in the Handbook.)

Most dentists are general practitioners, handling a variety of dental needs. Other dentists
practice in any of nine specialty areas. Orthodontists, the largest group of specialists,
straighten teeth by applying pressure to the teeth with braces or retainers. The next largest
group, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, operates on the mouth and jaws. The remainder
may specialize as pediatric dentists (focusing on dentistry for children); periodontists
(treating gums and bone supporting the teeth); prosthodontists (replacing missing teeth
with permanent fixtures, such as crowns and bridges, or with removable fixtures such as
dentures); endodontists (performing root canal therapy); public health dentists
(promoting good dental health and preventing dental diseases within the community);
oral pathologists (studying oral diseases); or oral and maxillofacial radiologists
(diagnosing diseases in the head and neck through the use of imaging technologies).
Work environment. Most dentists are solo practitioners, meaning that they own their own
businesses and work alone or with a small staff. Some dentists have partners, and a few
work for other dentists as associate dentists.

Most dentists work 4 or 5 days a week. Some work evenings and weekends to meet their
patients’ needs. The number of hours worked varies greatly among dentists. Most full-
time dentists work between 35 and 40 hours a week. However, others, especially those
who are trying to establish a new practice, work more. Also, experienced dentists often
work fewer hours. It is common for dentists to continue in part-time practice well beyond
the usual retirement age.

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Job Training / Job Education Requirements For

Dentists

All 50 States and the District of Columbia require dentists to be licensed. To qualify for a
license in most States, candidates must graduate from an accredited dental school and
pass written and practical examinations.

Education and training. In 2006, there were 56 dental schools accredited by the
American Dental Association’s (ADA’s) Commission on Dental Accreditation. Dental
schools require a minimum of 2 years of college-level predental education prior to
admittance. Most dental students have at least a bachelor’s degree before entering dental
school, although a few applicants are accepted to dental school after 2 or 3 years of
college and complete their bachelor’s degree while attending dental school.

High school and college students who want to become dentists should take courses in
biology, chemistry, physics, health, and mathematics. College undergraduates planning
on applying to dental school are required to take many science courses. Because of this,
some choose a major in a science, such as biology or chemistry, while others take the
required science coursework while pursuing a major in another subject.
All dental schools require applicants to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). When
selecting students, schools consider scores earned on the DAT, applicants’ grade point
averages, and information gathered through recommendations and interviews.
Competition for admission to dental school is keen.

Dental school usually lasts 4 academic years. Studies begin with classroom instruction
and laboratory work in science, including anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, and
physiology. Beginning courses in clinical sciences, including laboratory techniques, are
also completed. During the last 2 years, students treat patients, usually in dental clinics,
under the supervision of licensed dentists. Most dental schools award the degree of
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). Others award an equivalent degree, Doctor of Dental
Medicine (DMD).

Some dental school graduates work for established dentists as associates for 1 to 2 years
to gain experience and save money to equip an office of their own. Most dental school
graduates, however, purchase an established practice or open a new one immediately
after graduation.

Licensure. Licensing is required to practice as a dentist. In most States, licensure requires

passing written and practical examinations in addition to having a degree from an
accredited dental school. Candidates may fulfill the written part of the State licensing
requirements by passing the National Board Dental Examinations. Individual States or
regional testing agencies administer the written or practical examinations.

In 2006, 17 States licensed or certified dentists who intended to practice in a specialty

area. Requirements include 2 to 4 years of postgraduate education and, in some cases, the
completion of a special State examination. Most State licenses permit dentists to engage
in both general and specialized practice.

Other qualifications. Dentistry requires diagnostic ability and manual skills. Dentists
should have good visual memory, excellent judgment regarding space, shape, and color, a
high degree of manual dexterity, and scientific ability. Good business sense, self-
discipline, and good communication skills are helpful for success in private practice.

Advancement. Dentists who want to teach or conduct research usually spend an

additional 2 to 5 years in advanced dental training, in programs operated by dental
schools or hospitals. A recent survey by the American Dental Education Association
showed that 11 percent of new graduates enrolled in postgraduate training programs to
prepare for a dental specialty.

Employment

Dentists held about 161,000 jobs in 2006. Employment was distributed among general
practitioners and specialists as follows:

Dentists, general 136,000

 Orthodontists 9,200
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons 7,700
Prosthodontists 1,000
Dentists, all other specialists 6,900

About one third of dentists were self-employed and not incorporated. Almost all dentists
work in private practice. According to the ADA, about 3 out of 4 dentists in private
practice are sole proprietors, and 1 in 7 belongs to a partnership. A few salaried dentists
work in hospitals and offices of physicians.

Job Outlook / Job Forecast

Average employment growth will generate some job openings, but most openings will
result from the need to replace the large number of dentists expected to retire. Job
prospects should be good as new dentists take over established practices or start their
own.

Employment change. Employment of dentists is projected to grow nine percent through

2016, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The demand for dental services is
expected to continue to increase. The overall population is growing, particularly the
number of older people, which will increase the demand for dental care. As members of
the baby-boom generation advance into middle age, a large number will need
complicated dental work, such as bridges. In addition, elderly people are more likely to
retain their teeth than were their predecessors, so they will require much more care than
in the past. The younger generation will continue to need preventive checkups despite an
overall increase in the dental health of the public over the last few decades. Recently,
some private insurance providers have increased their dental coverage. If this trend
continues, those with new or expanded dental insurance will be more likely to visit a
dentist than in the past. Also, while they are currently a small proportion of dental
expenditures, cosmetic dental services, such as fitting braces for adults as well as children
and providing teeth-whitening treatments, have become increasingly popular.

However, employment of dentists is not expected to keep pace with the increased demand
for dental services. Productivity increases from new technology, as well as having dental
hygienists and assistants perform some tasks, will allow dentists to perform more work
than they have in the past. As their practices expand, dentists are likely to hire more
hygienists and dental assistants to handle routine services.

Dentists will increasingly provide care and instruction aimed at preventing the loss of
teeth, rather than simply providing treatments such as fillings. Improvements in dental
technology also will allow dentists to offer more effective and less painful treatment to
their patients.

Job prospects. As an increasing number of dentists from the baby-boom generation reach
retirement age, many of them will retire or work fewer hours. However, the number of
applicants to, and graduates from, dental schools has increased in recent years. Therefore,
younger dentists will be able to take over the work from older dentists who retire or cut
back on hours, as well as provide dental services to accommodate the growing demand.

Demand for dental services tends to follow the business cycle, primarily because these
services usually are paid for either by the patient or by private insurance companies. As a
result, during slow times in the economy, demand for dental services can decrease;
dentists may have difficulty finding employment, or if already in an established practice,
they may work fewer hours because of reduced demand.

Job Demand Forecast

Projections data from the National Employment Matrix
Projected Change, 2006-16
SOC Employment, Detailed
Occupational title employment,
Code 2006 Number Percent statistics
2016
29- zipped
Dentists 161,000 176,000 15,000 9 PDF
1020 XLS
29- zipped
Dentists, general 136,000 149,000 13,000 9 PDF
1021 XLS
Oral and 7,700 8,400 700 9 PDF
29- zipped
maxillofacial
1022 XLS
surgeons
29- zipped
Orthodontists 9,200 10,000 800 9 PDF
1023 XLS
29- zipped
Prosthodontists 1,000 1,100 100 11 PDF
1024 XLS
Dentists, all other 29- zipped
6,900 7,400 500 7 PDF
specialists 1029 XLS
NOTE: Data in this table are rounded. See the discussion of the employment
projections table in the Handbook introductory chapter on Occupational Information
Included in the Handbook.

Earnings / Compensation

Median annual earnings of salaried dentists were $136,960 in May 2006. Earnings vary
according to number of years in practice, location, hours worked, and specialty. Self-
employed dentists in private practice tend to earn more than do salaried dentists.

Dentists who are salaried often receive benefits paid by their employer, with health
insurance and malpractice insurance being among the most common. However, like other
business owners, self-employed dentists must provide their own health insurance, life
insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits.
Related Occupations

Dentists examine, diagnose, prevent, and treat diseases and abnormalities. Chiropractors,
optometrists, physicians and surgeons, podiatrists, psychologists, and veterinarians do
similar work.

Additional Information

For information on dentistry as a career, a list of accredited dental schools, and a list of
State boards of dental examiners, contact:

• American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 E.

Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Internet: http://www.ada.org

For information on admission to dental schools, contact:

• American Dental Education Association, 1400 K St. NW., Suite 1100,

Washington, DC 20005. Internet: http://www.adea.org

Persons interested in practicing dentistry should obtain the requirements for licensure
from the board of dental examiners of the State in which they plan to work.

To obtain information on scholarships, grants, and loans, including Federal financial aid,
prospective dental students should contact the office of student financial aid at the
schools to which they apply.