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Orthodontists

Also called: Board Certified Orthodontist, Orthodontist, Orthodontist, Small Business Owner, Orthodontist, Vice President

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Health
  • medicine and dentistry
Business
  • customer service
  • accounting and economics
Math and Science
  • biology
  • psychology
Arts and Humanities
  • English language

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
  • understanding people's reactions
  • changing what is done based on other people's actions

Abilities

Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say
Hand and Finger Use
  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • put together small parts with your fingers
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Attention
  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Concern for Others
  • Initiative

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Medical software
  • Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions Dolphin Management
  • Kodak Dental Systems Kodak ORTHOWARE
Graphics or photo imaging software
  • American Orthodontics Photo-Eze
  • FYI Technologies Dr. View
Internet browser software
  • Web browser software

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
doctoral/professional degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about orthodontists.