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how does an orthodontist become an orthodontist.
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- Thread starter DeltronZ
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I don't know, how?
Oh. that wasn't the setup for a joke? 😀 To become an orthodontist you must first obtain a DDS or DMD. Then you must apply for a 2-3 yr. specialty residency. Orthodontics is arguably the most difficult specialty to get into - we're talking mid to high 90's on NBDE part 1 and top 5 in your class to be competitive. Obviously there are those who mach with lesser stats - but this is to be competitive.
Also, ortho is one of those specialties that often doesn't give a stipend and may even require you to pay graduate school tuition. It can be an expensive endeavor - especially when you've already got predoctoral debt hanging over your head. But... and this is the big BUT... orthodontics is fun for the right person and you can make big bank at the same time.
I shadowed an orthodontist for a while. The concept of what he was doing seemed exciting - like solving puzzles all day for a living. The biggest drawback that I saw was that he didn't really spend much time with patients; he spent most of his time in the office looking at radiographs and making treatment notes. He'd come out for a few minutes at the most with each patient, say hi, make any adjustments his assistants couldn't do, and go back to his dark office. Seemed like kind of a lonely job to me. But I spose that could have just been his personal style - maybe it's different for other orthodontists.
Oh, and research is a definite must!
Oh. that wasn't the setup for a joke? 😀 To become an orthodontist you must first obtain a DDS or DMD. Then you must apply for a 2-3 yr. specialty residency. Orthodontics is arguably the most difficult specialty to get into - we're talking mid to high 90's on NBDE part 1 and top 5 in your class to be competitive. Obviously there are those who mach with lesser stats - but this is to be competitive.
Also, ortho is one of those specialties that often doesn't give a stipend and may even require you to pay graduate school tuition. It can be an expensive endeavor - especially when you've already got predoctoral debt hanging over your head. But... and this is the big BUT... orthodontics is fun for the right person and you can make big bank at the same time.
I shadowed an orthodontist for a while. The concept of what he was doing seemed exciting - like solving puzzles all day for a living. The biggest drawback that I saw was that he didn't really spend much time with patients; he spent most of his time in the office looking at radiographs and making treatment notes. He'd come out for a few minutes at the most with each patient, say hi, make any adjustments his assistants couldn't do, and go back to his dark office. Seemed like kind of a lonely job to me. But I spose that could have just been his personal style - maybe it's different for other orthodontists.
Oh, and research is a definite must!
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I was under the impression that Ortho made the most money. And that orthodontistry automatically translated to big bucks. I got a major dose of reality when it came to Ortho. Not only do you endure a residency, you pay for it as well. In addition, setting up an ortho practice requires a lot of overhead. Their overhead is very high. In addition, orthodontists see a set number of patients. They don't acquire a ton of new patients like general dentists. Their patients come in for tune-ups each month etc. Granted, each patient could translate anywhere from 2k-5K depending upon the work rendered, location and reputation of the orthodontist. Still, it takes much longer to set up and establish a practice as an orthodontist.
Therefore, if you do orthodontistry, do it because you are interested in it. Don't do it for the money. You can make more money in Endo and general dentistry than Ortho believe it or not.
You will always make a great living as an Ortho. I don't know of any Ortho's earning less than 200K per year. At the same time, orthodontists don't automatically pull down 500K like many students believe. I spoke to one orthodontist here and he said that he would be lucky to acquire 4 new patients a week. Assuming he is charging each patient 4K, that's 16,000 per week in GROSS REVENUE. That's a little over 600K in gross revenue per year. That seems like a lot but when you account for their overhead. In addition, they can't keep adding new patients. Eventually, ortho's have to settle on a number because of time constraints. So you can actually cap your earnings as an ortho. They also require more staff than general dentists as well.
I know many general dentists whose gross revenue is easily around 500K per year. Top earners can gross around 1.5 million per year. This is GROSS not Net pay, I should add. 🙂
Therefore, if you do orthodontistry, do it because you are interested in it. Don't do it for the money. You can make more money in Endo and general dentistry than Ortho believe it or not.
You will always make a great living as an Ortho. I don't know of any Ortho's earning less than 200K per year. At the same time, orthodontists don't automatically pull down 500K like many students believe. I spoke to one orthodontist here and he said that he would be lucky to acquire 4 new patients a week. Assuming he is charging each patient 4K, that's 16,000 per week in GROSS REVENUE. That's a little over 600K in gross revenue per year. That seems like a lot but when you account for their overhead. In addition, they can't keep adding new patients. Eventually, ortho's have to settle on a number because of time constraints. So you can actually cap your earnings as an ortho. They also require more staff than general dentists as well.
I know many general dentists whose gross revenue is easily around 500K per year. Top earners can gross around 1.5 million per year. This is GROSS not Net pay, I should add. 🙂
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If a state school gives preference to in-state residents
for their DDS/DMD programs, is it safe to assume that
they give high preference to in-staters for their
specialty programs too?
By the way, I've talked to a few ortho's and from what
I understand the overhead to run an office is way lower
than the overhead to run a GP.
for their DDS/DMD programs, is it safe to assume that
they give high preference to in-staters for their
specialty programs too?
By the way, I've talked to a few ortho's and from what
I understand the overhead to run an office is way lower
than the overhead to run a GP.
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I dont give a **** what you say in reply but any orthodontist (or any person in the US) you say pulls in 3 mil a year is doing one thing, slinging rock. I would steer clear of that guy because the DEA is about to slam his door open and SHOOTeverything in sight janet reno stily, i guess it will make for a good episode of COPS.
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Lets do some math. I work for a pediatric dentist, and the orthos take our office out to lunch quite frequently in appreciation of our referrals.
3 weeks ago, we talked numbers with one of the 3 orthodontists we refer to.
Their average case costs $5000.
They are currently averaging 12 to 15 case starts per week.
Their overhead is near 40% (avg. gen dentist overhead 50-60%)
$5000 x 12 cases per week x 48 weeks per year...
gross income $2,880,000
profit....$1,728,000.
No crack selling there. By the way, while we only refer to 3 orthos, there are nearly 12 in private practice here, plus the ortho residency at the dental school.
3 weeks ago, we talked numbers with one of the 3 orthodontists we refer to.
Their average case costs $5000.
They are currently averaging 12 to 15 case starts per week.
Their overhead is near 40% (avg. gen dentist overhead 50-60%)
$5000 x 12 cases per week x 48 weeks per year...
gross income $2,880,000
profit....$1,728,000.
No crack selling there. By the way, while we only refer to 3 orthos, there are nearly 12 in private practice here, plus the ortho residency at the dental school.
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Ehop
I totally believe what you are saying is true. But I think that's still on the high end for most orthodontists. The orthodontist I spoke will makes a ton of cash but he admitted that he would be lucky to see two new patients a day or about 10 per week. In addition, the cost can really vary too. He charges about 4K and he has been in practice for a long time and he has a very strong reputation. May orthodontists charge around 3K because the price has gone down just like it has for LASIK and other expensive procedures. And I have never heard of an orthodontist having less overhead than a GP.
Still, that is a ton of cash however way you look at it. DAMN!!!!
I totally believe what you are saying is true. But I think that's still on the high end for most orthodontists. The orthodontist I spoke will makes a ton of cash but he admitted that he would be lucky to see two new patients a day or about 10 per week. In addition, the cost can really vary too. He charges about 4K and he has been in practice for a long time and he has a very strong reputation. May orthodontists charge around 3K because the price has gone down just like it has for LASIK and other expensive procedures. And I have never heard of an orthodontist having less overhead than a GP.
Still, that is a ton of cash however way you look at it. DAMN!!!!
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Maybe overhead varies by location. Around here, I've generally heard that overhead is less for orthodontists and endodontists as compared to general dentists. One of the reasons I hear for this is that you can have dental assistants in an ortho or endo office take care of a lot of stuff, so you wouldn't have to hire dental hygienists and pay higher salaries for them.
