Orthodontists

Also called: Board Certified Orthodontist, Dentofacial Orthopedics Dentist, Invisible Braces Orthodontist, Orthodontist, Orthodontist, Small Business Owner

Orthodontists

Varies

estimated salary

Orthodontists 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.

  • 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.
  • Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
  • Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
  • Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
  • Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
  • Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.
  • Instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.
  • Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.
  • Design and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers, retainers, and labial and lingual arch wires.
  • Coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services.
Work Context
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 95% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 94% responded "Every day".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 92% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 95% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 84% responded "Very high responsibility".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 95% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  • 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.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Adjust dental devices or appliances to ensure fit.
  • Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
  • Diagnose dental conditions.
  • Examine mouth, teeth, gums, or related facial structures.
  • Record patient medical histories.
  • Adjust dental devices or appliances to ensure fit.
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Knowledge

Medicine and Dentistry
  • Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Biology
  • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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Skills

Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making
  • Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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Abilities

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 Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Medical software
  • Adstra Systems ADSTRA Management
  • Katchitek Corporation OrthoManager
  • Kodak Dental Systems Kodak ORTHOWARE
  • New Horizons Software OrthoExec
  • Oasys Practice
  • Ortho Computer Systems ViewPoint
  • OrthoChart
  • Orthoease
  • PerfectByte Ortho
  • Solutions by Design ScreenPlay
  • Innovative Software Inn-Soft Office Manager
  • IMS Specialty Services IMS Digital Office
  • ICE Dental Systems
  • Advance Ortho Systems Program Director
  • Algorithm Compu-Ceph
  • Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions Dolphin Management
Graphics or photo imaging software
  • American Orthodontics Compu-Ceph
  • American Orthodontics Photo-Eze
  • FYI Technologies Dr. Ceph
  • FYI Technologies Dr. View
  • GAC International OrthoPlex
Calendar and scheduling software
  • EZappt
Internet browser software
  • Web browser software

Education

Get started on your career:

Job Outlook

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
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