Orthodontic Job Description
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for orthodontic dentists or orthodontists will increase by 20 percent from 2008 to 2018. Spurred by a continuously increasing population, this growth should result in the creation of 1,500 new jobs in the field.
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Function
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Orthodontic specialists correct deformities of the mouth, such as crooked teeth or over-bites, under-bites and cross-bites. To treat these problems, orthodontists typically fit patients for dental appliances like braces, retainers and night braces, which use pressure to correct imperfections.
Types
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Some orthodontists specialize in treating children, while others work with patients of all ages.
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Education
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Orthodontists begin their dental training by attending a four-year dental school. Most dental schools require applicants to have a bachelor's degree prior to admission, but a few will accept students who have completed two to three years of undergraduate education.
Licensure and Certification
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After graduating from dental school, orthodontic specialists take the National Board Dental Examinations to receive a license to practice dentistry. Then, students complete a two-year orthodontics training program and take a certification test through the American Board of Orthodontics.
Compensation
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As of May 2008, orthodontic specialists averaged annual salaries of $194,930, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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