Orthodontists

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1023
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 11
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.

Tools and technology

Facebook, Microsoft Office software, Ada, Adhesive removing pliers, Adstra Systems ADSTRA Management, Advance Ortho Systems Program Director, Algorithm Compu-Ceph, American Orthodontics Compu-Ceph, American Orthodontics Photo-Eze, Autoclave sterilizers, Band contouring pliers, Band pushers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Dentists, General
• Prosthodontists
• Pediatric Surgeons
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
• Dental Assistants
• Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
• Cardiologists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Orthodontists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.