A Step By Step Guide For Becoming An Orthodontist

There aren’t many people that know exactly what career they want to pursue which is why it is important to keep your options open. One profession that the world will always be in need of is orthodontic dentistry. Therefore, you can consider this to be a very viable option for a future job prospect.

The path to becoming an orthodontist takes a lot of hard work, but we are sure that you can accomplish all that is required. As such, here is a step-by-step guide to follow if you wish to become an orthodontist.

Step 1: Good Grades

Almost every profession demands a high level of grades. To even move on to further education in the first place, students need to achieve at least five GCSEs above a grade C. Three of these grades must be in English, Maths, and Science, especially if you wish to pursue this type of career.

Next, you need to achieve three A-levels or equivalent. There are Vocational Certificates of Education that can qualify you for the next step, but this depends on the dentistry school you apply to.

Step 2: Dentistry School

The second step is a no-brainer. You must have a degree in dentistry to work in this field, and this takes about five years to achieve. This degree will teach you the basics of Anatomy, Biology, Physiology, Biochemistry, and Oral Biology in a way that relates to the dental field.

Step 3: Work And Experience

Anyone seeking to continue on into orthodontics should start work as a dentist. This step allows the candidate to apply their knowledge in a practical environment, and get a better idea of how to better their skills to work as an orthodontist. After all, most general dentists have to provide referrals to qualified orthodontists. Most orthodontist courses ask that applicants have at least three years of dental experience under their belt.

Step 4: Further Education

Additional education isn’t necessary for this process; however, it does improve the likelihood that you will be successful in your pursuit of an orthodontist training program. A master’s degree can take up to a year to complete, longer if you work alongside it. What’s more, this type of education can help you get hired once you have completed all of these steps.

Step 5: Orthodontist School

The final step in your journey is to attend orthodontic courses. This additional school will take three years to complete and teach you all of the necessary details about straightening teeth and jaw re-alignment.

You can find more information on an orthodontic course at the London Dental Institute, but it is fairly self-explanatory. Again, you can work in dentistry and attend classes at the same time, reducing the costs of your overall education.

Conclusion

It may seem like a long process, but these steps will fly by once you have engaged in your journey. Once complete, your next task is performing top-notch orthodontic work. Luckily, you will be perfectly prepared.