Orthodontist Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the orthodontist job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements that you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the orthodontist role by most recruiters/employers.

What Does an Orthodontist Do?

Orthodontists are specialized dentists who correct teeth misalignment in patients.

The orthodontist job description entails carrying out diagnosis to treat malocclusions and other anomalies of the teeth.

In performing their duties, orthodontists straighten misaligned teeth to improve the occlusion (bite) of patients.

They use x-ray or plaster mold to examine patient’s teeth structure in order to determine the area that needs realignment.

They also use information obtained from diagnosis to determine the best course of treatment for patients.

Orthodontists work with a range of implements in correcting teeth irregularity.

Their role involves fitting retainers, adding brackets or installing braces to guide teeth growth and correct jaw alignment.

It also entails monitoring the progress of treatment through check-ups in order to make adjustments where necessary.

As part of their responsibilities, orthodontists deal with tooth-related conditions such as gum disease, chewing difficulty, and sleep apnea or jaw pain.

They control and modify facial growth of patients to improve outward appearance.

Their work description also involves developing and implementing treatment plans to address specific needs of patients according to their dental records.

Usually, orthodontists design and make models for teeth braces to fit the wearer.

They carry out routine maintenance and repairs on teeth appliances, and also educate patients on how to properly use dental installations and take care of their teeth.

Orthodontists liaise with dental officers and technical assistants to provide teeth care to patients.

They instruct and assign tasks to assistants during orthodontic procedure and also prescribe medication to address dental discomfort or pain in patients.

In fulfilling their role, orthodontists maintain an up-to-date knowledge of teeth deformities as well as techniques for treatment of such problems.

They evaluate a treatment method to identify better techniques for addressing patients’ issues and assess patients’ treatment plan to make modifications as may be required.

To get into the orthodontist career requires a doctoral degree in dental medicine or dental surgery; licensure is also required for practice.
Succeeding in this career requires certain qualities including manual dexterity, attention to detail, and critical thinking skill.

Orthodontist Job Description Example/Template

Orthodontists perform various functions in assisting patients to correct misalignment of their teeth.

Given below is a detailed orthodontist job description example, showing the major tasks, duties, and responsibilities of the role in most dental facilities:

• Provide treatment for various forms of malocclusion and teeth irregularity
• Perform diagnostic tests using x-rays and plaster molds to locate the position of a dental problem
• Fit braces, brackets, and other teeth appliances in patients’ mouth to correct teeth positioning
• Schedule routine check-ups to track treatment progress and adjust dental appliances as required
• Proffer recommendations to patients on proper dental care and hygiene necessary
• Work with orthodontist assistant to ensure patients receive adequate teeth care
• Perform dentofacial orthopedics to improve the general appearance of patients
• Determine if applied braces are due to be removed
• Assist patients in resolving dental or oral problems such as speech impairments and gum disease
• Develop treatment plans to address individual patient problem
• Design and model teeth appliances such as retainers, lingual arch wires, and brackets
• Liaise with other orthodontists and health care professionals to coordinate orthodontic services for patients
• Study patients’ dental records and medical history to determine type and severity of teeth condition
• Provide patients with cost estimates and details of a treatment plan
• Inspect dental equipment and appliances to ensure they function normally.

Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge – for Orthodontist Job

If you are seeking to work as an orthodontist, the following are the necessary requirements you may need to satisfy to qualify to access the job with most employers:

• Education and Training: To become an orthodontist, you require a Bachelor’s degree in a science discipline such as biology or chemistry. This serves as prerequisite for entry into dental school to obtain a doctorate degree in dental surgery or dental medicine. Orthodontists are required to pass the National Board Dental Examinations in order to receive state licensure for practice
• Manual Dexterity: Orthodontists are able to use various dental implements to realign teeth arrangement
• Attention to Detail: They are able to monitor the recovery of patients to determine the need for change in treatment plan
• Critical Thinking Skill: They use results of diagnosis to develop appropriate treatment plan for patients.

Conclusion

If you are an employer looking to hire orthodontists, you can quickly and conveniently prepare a job description for use in the recruitment process by applying the sample work description provided in this post.

The detailed orthodontist description you can produce using information in this article will definitely increase your chances of attracting the best candidates for hiring for the position.

The information about the duties and responsibilities of an orthodontist given in this post is also useful to people aspiring to get into the career. They will be able to increase their knowledge of what the role entails.