[andyffer]

Anybody on here an orthodontist. I want to become one, Im 15 and starting my sophomore in high school. I was a c+ b+ student, with not much dedication. Now that I've really found what I want to do, Im going to nonstop study.

I just want to know what it takes, what to take in high school, and in college, I'm thinking NAU, Northern Arizona University. (for college)

But, other than that, I have no information on this.

Please let me know.

Thanks.
(this might be pushing it, but, any salary numbers)

Highest suicide rate, if that helps any.

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by GAMEOVR

Highest suicide rate, if that helps any.

ive heard that too

GET LIFE INSURANCE

[andyffer]

seriously

[PLAYON]

bust your ass for the rest of highschool, get into a good college/university. . .the rest will be history.

[TK-421]

would orthodontic work be in the health care category?

if it is, i would be cautious of medical stuff because socialized medicine could very well be a possibility and would therefore really put a dent in your earning potential

[ToothDoc]

4 years undergrad (do well in sciences), 4 years in dental school (entrance examination and experience a plus), then 2 years in ortho school (you need to have good scores from dental school - like top 10% to get into ortho school). Probably easily over 200K a year. So, after H.S. you'll need a MINIMUM of TEN years of more schooling - are you cut out for it?

[Sara]

15 with a car already? Dang they start em young.

[Neurorad]

Great that you decide now. Most people don't have a clue what they'll do for a career, ever.

Stick with it, GL!

BTW, good choice, if you have the balls.

[andyffer]

Yep, I've already done an short internship with my previous orthodontist.
Seems like it will pay off though. I can't wait to retire. I haven't even started working though.

Thanks

P.S. I love Sarah's sig. It is so aggressive looking. I like how the actual jaguar is
jumping in the other direction

[323d]

your still young , many things will change.. I remember when i was 15, i wanted to be a mechanical engineer, but now, im in my 2nd year of university, and i am doing a major in geography. :/

[carboy465]

I'm beginning my first year of dental school in August, so maybe I can provide you some insight. High school is a good place to start working hard and studying. However, it won't really make a huge difference as long as you don't do horribly and are still able to go to a decent university. Once you hit college then things start to get important and directly affect your future. To become an orthodontist you will have to go to dental school first, and admission to dental schools is increasingly becoming more competitive. During undergrad you will have to undertake a large load of science classes (and do well in them) and eventually take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). I may be biased, but I would recommend majoring in a science field such as Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, etc as many of the prerequisites for dental school coincide with the requirements for a degree in one of those science fields. You will want to keep your GPA high during undergrad (greater than 3.5 preferably) and do well on the DAT. Once you've applied and are accepted to dental school, then the fun really begins. You will need to complete 4 years of dental school first and DO WELL. Then you must apply for a residency program (read: specialty) which ranges from 3-4 more years of education. To my knowledge, there are 9 dental specialties. To be even considered for any of these dental specialties you need to be in the top 10-15% of your dental class and score greater than 90th percentile on parts I and parts II of the national board. Of these specialties, orthodontics and maxillofacial surgery are the two most competitive and most difficult specialties to get into with most residents being the top 2 or 3 people in their class. Hopefully, I've given you some insight on what you have to do and haven't frightened you too much. It's a tough and long road...so prepare early!!!

In summary....
High School: 4 years - Don't stress out too much and enjoy yourself. Do decently well (excel if you like) and go to a decent university.
College: 4 years - Things start to count now. Maintain a high gpa (3.5+) in whichever major you choose to get a degree in and shoot for a 20+ on the Dental Admissions Test
Dental School: 4 years - Kick as much ass as possible. Maintain highest GPA possible, highest class rank possible, and score as high as possible on Parts I and II of the national Board. If you're good, then you apply and get into the Orthodontic residency program!!
Residency: 3-4 years - You're in! Just don't fail and lose it! GOAL!!!!



P.S. Dentists having the highest suicide rate is a myth.

[Kiemyster]

OMFG how boring. guy. your going to realize that you never wanna get in something so boring... or at least, i know i wouldnt. i like my sanity... dont you?

[carboy465]

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

OMFG how boring. guy. your going to realize that you never wanna get in something so boring... or at least, i know i wouldnt. i like my sanity... dont you?

To each his own...however, there is some truth here. I've talked with many specialists and general practitioners and what generally seems to happen is when you specialize you end up seeing the same cases and doing the same procedures over and over again. On the other hand, a general practitioner gets to perform a larger variety of procedures and gets to see a lot more unique cases. Although the benefit of specializing is that you make some ridiculously PHAT bank...like twice as much. I've read the average salary of many dental specialists right out of residency is something along the lines of 250+k as opposed to 130k+ for a general dentist straight out of dental school.

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by PLAYON

bust your ass for the rest of highschool, get into a good college/university. . .the rest will be history.

Hardly..apparently you know nothing about medical/dental school admissions. High school is where it DOESN'T matter...just do WELL, and get into a descent university, you don't have to kill yourself.

College is where you have to bust your ass 24/7 to get that high GPA and high DAT. Trust me on this.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Neurorad

Great that you decide now. Most people don't have a clue what they'll do for a career, ever.

Stick with it, GL!

BTW, good choice, if you have the balls.

I know some people like that. Its sad.

[bcc69]

I've been an orthodontist for 12 years now. It is an extremely rewarding job and I'm not just talking money. It is pure joy for our patients when they see their new smile. Many General dentists will say as a specialist, we do the same thing over and over. This is far from the truth. Each case is unique in it's own way.

As far as school is concerned, get into a good college. The higher your GPA, the easier it will be to get into dental school. Once you get into dental school, the first 2 years are critical. You need to be in the top 10. If your GPA is low during these first 2 years, it will be impossible to raise it during your last 2 years. You must score well in your national boards also.

Meet the orthodontic faculty at the dental school. Let them know you are interested in their program. In other words "KISS ASS". Consider doing a research project in orthodontics.

It is a long haul, but well worth it. PM me if you have any further questions.

Good luck

[Kev]

It's funny no one mentioned the COST of going to school..... Unless you have parents that would take care of your tuition, or you participate in some form of scholarship or loan repayment program, or you really get a merit-based FULL scholarship, expect to be paying through your nostrils for your loans (Dental school is even more expensive than med school here in Boston). I am not kidding as I am a 4th year medical student.

Here's a lo-down of what it's like for the next 15 years for you:

Anyhow, if you decided to go for it, as others said, bump up your HS grades like now, for as much as possible. Don't waste your summer and participate in volunteer work, research, or internship like you did. Think about where you want to go to dental school, go to an undergrad program that is well known to that school (look at the admissions profile and see where most of their students come from). Also, the harsh reality in college for pre-professional kids is that while your roommates are partying all weekend, you'd most likely be busting your chops in the library doing homework and studying. Shoot for a GPA >3.75, and do really well in your DAT. After you got in, the first two years are critical in dental school (so is medical school). Study and do very, very well in school and national boards. Then, you graduate and get into a residency program......

It's a long, long road, and you'd really have to prepare yourself for that. One to way to slightly shorten it is to get into a 7 year BS-DMD/DDS program.

[Taittinger]

Is your name Hermey?

[antongk]

When you guys mention getting into a "decent university", how do you gauge whether or not a university is decent? I'm about to start applying to college and am curious to see whether I may be going to a decent university or not.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by antongk

When you guys mention getting into a "decent university", how do you gauge whether or not a university is decent? I'm about to start applying to college and am curious to see whether I may be going to a decent university or not.

Think about where you want to go to dental school, go to an undergrad program that is well known to that school (look at the admissions profile and see where most of their students come from).

is my advise. Also, look at the US News & World Report college ranking. Think about how big of a school do you want to go to? Do like small classes? Do you like to be not noticed in the class if you miss a day or two?

[andyffer]

I would like to stay close to Arizona, fees would be low also since I am a resident of Arizona. My orthodontist went to ASU, (now he drives a porsche 911 turbo convert) and then continued. But, being as its ASU, in the top 10 party schools. I feel I would really get distracted. NAU is another option, I dont know how well it's ranked among the US but, again trying to stay in AZ.

I'm ready for this whole challenge ahead of me. I cant wait for my career to get started though. Cruising in my 335 convertible.

This is great help. Any books you guys who are in medical school, or in dentistry now, would reccomend? I have this very informative book called,EXPLORING CAREERS IN DENTISTRY by Jessica A. Rickert