Recommendation Letters for Ortho Residency

[WhyNotDentalSchool19]

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Hey everyone. I am sorry if this has been asked before but been having trouble finding it. I’ve decided to apply ortho kind of late in the game. I’m a D3 and don’t really have any orthodontists I can ask for rec letters. I’ve got a strong GRE score, research, and ECs. How much of a hindrance will this be? Does anyone have any suggestions for me at this stage?

 

[OncePreDent]

When I got LoR for ortho, I had two orthodontists that I knew well. One clinical faculty and two regular faculty.

If I were you, I would try contacting local orthos to shadow because some schools require at least 1 LoR from an orthodontist. I think the ortho LoR is important, I was able to get 6 interview invites and I believe 2 of them were because of the ortho's LoR.

 

[Lemillion]

Yes start shadowing local orthos and see about getting a rec letter. Pro tip-find orthos who are also adjunct faculty at a residency OR involved in organized orthodontics. Having a rec letter from them helps out a ton bc a program director/chair may know them very well and can boost your chances.