specializing in orthodontics

[dentalmom]

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i've been trying to find info on how to specialize and become licensed in orthodontics if you are NOT among the top students (1-10) in dental school. would one be able to practice general dentistry and then qualify for ortho programs?

 

[dudelove]

I would take alot of ortho courses and do actual ortho(not complicated stuff) and take pictures and present that stuff when you apply to show your interest. Also maybe teaching at the dental school you want to go to may help(part time of course) and making contacts in the ortho dept. The only way to get into ortho at my school was to be the class president or to know someone in the department. Good grades and board scores don't equate into automatic acceptance. Good luck

 

[MMaroon]

You don't have to be an "orthodontist" to do "ortho."

There are a lot of terrific ortho courses for GPs that will allow you to have the best of both worlds by doing general dentistry and ortho as well.

If you would like to go back to school to get the ortho degree you can.

One of the programs that I've taken as a GP in private practice is one given by Dr. Brock Rondeau www.RondeauSeminars.com. Brock is a GP from Toronto, ON Canada that has been doing ortho for close to 30 years and has been teaching it for almost as long!

There are other great courses available from other ortho teachers as well.

I don't have any financial interest in Brock's course or receive anything by recommending it to you. I've enjoyed taking the course and have also enjoyed implementing ortho into my practice as a GP. It's a terrific service for my patients.

We also have been involved with Invisalign and that has also worked well for my practice.

The best advice I can give is to have an open mind and constantly learn and don't be afraid to try things. Just because you don't have the additional 2-year degree doesn't mean you can't treat patients the way you want. There are programs out there that will allow you to create the type of dental practice that you like.

 

[Rod Kurthy]

Just a little note for all the dental students and new grads here. Do you know who Mike Maroon is? Do you realize you have the honor of having him help mentor you here on your forum?

Mike is one of the most well-known dentists anywhere. He is incredibly knowledgable in most fields of dentistry. And he's not one of those gurus who is up on cloud 9 somewhere. He is the REAL DEAL, and his advice is always practical in the 'real world'.

You're very lucky to have him here -- take advantage of it, and listen closely.

This is for you Mike --

Rod