CFChooseField
Healthcare

Orthodontists

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Orthodontists
Download graphic

Median pay

≥$239,200
Median annual pay for Orthodontists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

4.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

200
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

5,900
Estimated U.S. employment for Orthodontists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

+300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

Doctoral or professional degree
Typical additional preparation: Internship/residency.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Medicine and Dentistry
  2. 2Customer and Personal Service
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Biology
  5. 5Computers and Electronics
  6. 6Mathematics

Abilities

  1. 1Problem Sensitivity
  2. 2Arm-Hand Steadiness
  3. 3Deductive Reasoning
  4. 4Finger Dexterity
  5. 5Inductive Reasoning
  6. 6Near Vision

Career interests

  1. 1Investigative
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Achievement Orientation
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Intellectual Curiosity

Work activities

  1. 1Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  2. 2Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  3. 3Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  4. 4Developing and Building Teams
  5. 5Documenting/Recording Information
  6. 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  3. 3Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
  6. 6Physical Proximity

Representative tasks

  • Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
  • Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
  • 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.
  • Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
  • Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
  • Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.
  • Advise patients to comply with treatment plans.
  • Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.

Software and tools

Facebook · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyAdaPerfectByte OrthoPatient management softwareOrthoeaseOrthoChartOrtho Computer Systems ViewPointOasys structural design and analysis softwareNew Horizons Software OrthoExecKodak Dental Systems Kodak ORTHOWAREKatchitek Corporation OrthoManager

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.