Orthodontist schooling requirements include an undergraduate degree in chemistry or biology, a graduate program at an accredited dental school, and two separate residency programs. Various tests and examinations may also be required. To receive an orthodontist education, several years of schooling are required.

Orthodontist Training

The career of an orthodontist can be an exciting and lucrative path. Earning the degrees and credentials necessary to become an orthodontist, however, can be a long and challenging process. Orthodontist training requires over a decade of seminars, coursework, tests, and a residency.

Planning Ahead: The High School Years

If you want to become an orthodontist, it’s never too early to start planning. High school students can opt for advanced coursework in math and the basic sciences to build a solid foundation. Taking AP courses in chemistry or biology may also prove beneficial as you begin your undergraduate degree program.

Undergraduate Degree in Biology or Chemistry

The first milestone on the path to becoming a successful orthodontist is to obtain a four-year degree, also known as an undergraduate degree. Although no specific undergraduate degree is required, dentistry schools often require a degree in biology or chemistry. [1] These majors typically involve extensive coursework in the broad academic disciplines of mathematics and science. You’ll need to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in one of these disciplines.

Dental Admission Test

After graduating from your chosen college or university, the next step is to get accepted into dental school. To do this, you’ll need to first take the Dental Admission Test, or DAT for short. All dental schools in the United States and some in Canada require a passing score on this important test as a prerequisite for admission. [2]

The DAT is a multiple-choice test that includes four sections:

• Survey of the Natural Sciences
• Perceptual Ability
• Reading Comprehension
• Quantitative Reasoning

Dental School

You might wonder why it’s necessary to attend dental school as opposed to orthodontist school. Well, orthodontists are technically dentists, just not in the traditional sense. To become an orthodontist, one must first learn dentistry.

You’ll want to apply to schools of dentistry that are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. [3]Getting into dental school can be challenging. The admissions process is often competitive. To be accepted into a good school of dentistry, you’ll need to have good grades and a high score on the DAT. You might also have to attend interviews, provide recommendations, and prepare essays as part of the admissions process.

Once you get into dental school, you can expect to study some fascinating subjects as you receive your dental education, including:

• Anatomy
• Periodontics
• Radiology
• Anesthesia
• Oral biology
• Oral health

Dental and Surgical Residencies

A dental residency is a type of apprenticeship that provides aspiring dentists with hands-on clinical practice in dental medicine. This clinical experience is necessary to prepare future orthodontists to provide patient care. During this experience, you’ll learn specific orthodontic techniques not taught in dental school.

For your dental residency, you’ll be able to choose a dental specialty, allowing you to start practicing orthodontic care in a real orthodontic clinic. Your fellow students may choose other specialty education areas, such as general dentistry or endodontics, for instance. Orthodontists must not only complete a dental residency but also participate in a surgical residency, which takes an additional four to six years to complete. [4] This is sometimes referred to as an orthodontic residency.

National Board Dental Examination

After completing your dental residency, you must then take the Integrated National Board Dental Examination to become a licensed dentist. [5] This examination, which takes two days to complete, determines whether you are qualified to safely begin practicing dentistry in a clinical setting.

Orthodontics License

The final step to becoming a practicing orthodontist is to obtain your license to practice orthodontics in the state where you plan to work. This may require you to take and pass an additional examination administered by the state’s dental board. Additional credentials may be required in some states and practices, including state and national board certification.

Should You Consider Orthodontist School?

Being an orthodontist can be a rewarding career, but it requires a special kind of person. In addition to the years of advanced education and training required to become an orthodontist, you may also need certain personality traits and soft skills, including patience, dexterity, effective communication, and organizational skills.

Kunik Orthodontics is a top rated orthodontics provider in Austin, TX. Reach out for a free consultation to see how our team can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming An Orthodontist

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the schooling required to become an orthodontist