3 answers
Jorney
Student
Augusta, Georgia
1
Question
Updated
515 views
What is the path I should take in college to become an orthodontist volunteer and classes wise? What skills should a person who wants to go into this field need or should posses ?
I am going to be a freshman in college. I like science classes
Login to comment
3 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Jorney !
Wow, what an exciting career choice you have made and it's great that you do like science because you will need to take various science classes to prepare yourself for dental school after you receive your Bachelors Degree. The specific college you attend will offer various programs, so you should read their major programs on their website and see which ones are close to human anatomy, chemistry. You may even be going to a college that does offer a pre-dental program, but you can find out by exploring the college's specific information.
Volunteer work around your chosen field will be most helpful to you. By doing reception, clerical or data entry volunteer work at a dentist or orthodontists' office will open up a new world to you. I have left a link to a list of the orthodontist offices in your town that you can visit to offer volunteer services at. I have also left a link for a list of dentists in your area if you want to start out doing volunteer work in a dental setting.
I also thought it would be good for you to volunteer right at an orthodontics manufacturer, but none are located in Augusta. That's where they actually make the braces. Some of these manufactures are Align Technology in Arizona, Straumann in Andover, Massachusetts and Dentsply Sirona in North Carolina. There may be some information that could be useful for you on their websites, so I would say it may be good to read their information. Admissions Helpers has an article about what you can do now in college to help you gain experience for when you apply to dental school. I have left the link to their website for you below.
You can also inquire about volunteer work at your campus Career Center.
Some of the skills you will need most likely will be good communication skills, fine motor skills, being patient and calm under pressure, versatility in working with patients of all ages and backgrounds, a warm and cordial personality. You will get the gist of it once you attend dental school and all of your natural traits and skills will be discovered. I would also say that one should gain good business skills as that would benefit both working at a company or having your own practice.
Best wishes to you in college and in dental school !
ORTHODONTIST OFFICE IN AUGUSTA AT WHICH TO SEEK VOLUNTEER WORK https://urgentcarelocations.org/ga/augusta/orthodontist
DENTAL OFFICES TO SEEK VOLUNTEER WORK AT IN AUGUSTA https://www.opencare.com/dentists/augusta-ga/
GET EXPERIENCE IN COLLEGE FOR DENTAL SCHOOL https://admissionshelpers.com/becoming-competitive-applicant-dental-school-part-iii/
Wow, what an exciting career choice you have made and it's great that you do like science because you will need to take various science classes to prepare yourself for dental school after you receive your Bachelors Degree. The specific college you attend will offer various programs, so you should read their major programs on their website and see which ones are close to human anatomy, chemistry. You may even be going to a college that does offer a pre-dental program, but you can find out by exploring the college's specific information.
Volunteer work around your chosen field will be most helpful to you. By doing reception, clerical or data entry volunteer work at a dentist or orthodontists' office will open up a new world to you. I have left a link to a list of the orthodontist offices in your town that you can visit to offer volunteer services at. I have also left a link for a list of dentists in your area if you want to start out doing volunteer work in a dental setting.
I also thought it would be good for you to volunteer right at an orthodontics manufacturer, but none are located in Augusta. That's where they actually make the braces. Some of these manufactures are Align Technology in Arizona, Straumann in Andover, Massachusetts and Dentsply Sirona in North Carolina. There may be some information that could be useful for you on their websites, so I would say it may be good to read their information. Admissions Helpers has an article about what you can do now in college to help you gain experience for when you apply to dental school. I have left the link to their website for you below.
You can also inquire about volunteer work at your campus Career Center.
Some of the skills you will need most likely will be good communication skills, fine motor skills, being patient and calm under pressure, versatility in working with patients of all ages and backgrounds, a warm and cordial personality. You will get the gist of it once you attend dental school and all of your natural traits and skills will be discovered. I would also say that one should gain good business skills as that would benefit both working at a company or having your own practice.
Best wishes to you in college and in dental school !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you!
Akeira Warner
Dentist
8
Answers
Mankato, Minnesota
Updated
Akeira’s Answer
Hey Jorney!
I recommend beginning your journey by establishing a solid foundation in college, ideally by majoring in a science-related field such as biology or chemistry to meet dental school prerequisites. However, it's equally important to use this time to discover more about yourself. Engage in activities that interest you and get to know your strengths and passions. It will be important to maintain a high GPA, particularly in your science courses, and prepare thoroughly for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Alongside your academics, engage in critical extracurricular activities. Shadowing dentists and orthodontists is particularly important, as it provides invaluable firsthand experience and insights into the daily practice and specific procedures of orthodontics. Volunteering at dental clinics further demonstrates your commitment to the field and helps you build practical skills.
After college, complete a four-year dental school program to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Following dental school, undertake a specialized orthodontic residency program lasting 2-3 years, where you will receive advanced training in orthodontics through clinical practice and research. By following this path, emphasizing shadowing experiences, and developing these skills, you will be well-prepared for a successful career as an orthodontist.
I recommend beginning your journey by establishing a solid foundation in college, ideally by majoring in a science-related field such as biology or chemistry to meet dental school prerequisites. However, it's equally important to use this time to discover more about yourself. Engage in activities that interest you and get to know your strengths and passions. It will be important to maintain a high GPA, particularly in your science courses, and prepare thoroughly for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Alongside your academics, engage in critical extracurricular activities. Shadowing dentists and orthodontists is particularly important, as it provides invaluable firsthand experience and insights into the daily practice and specific procedures of orthodontics. Volunteering at dental clinics further demonstrates your commitment to the field and helps you build practical skills.
After college, complete a four-year dental school program to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Following dental school, undertake a specialized orthodontic residency program lasting 2-3 years, where you will receive advanced training in orthodontics through clinical practice and research. By following this path, emphasizing shadowing experiences, and developing these skills, you will be well-prepared for a successful career as an orthodontist.
Berrett Chestleigh
Dentist
1
Answer
Bolingbrook, Illinois
Updated
Berrett’s Answer
What skills should you expect to have to be an orthodontist? General hand skills are always best to have in all fields of dentistry. If you have any hobbies that require hand dexterity that would be great. Examples are: Playing an instrument like the piano, knitting, jewelry making, etc.
Steps to becoming an Orthodontist:
1. Complete all prerequisite classes for dental school. (Declare Pre-Dental when you get to college and your school counselor should help you identify what classes you need to take. You can also confirm the classes needed by looking up dental school pre-requisites at the schools you would like to go to. Typically you can expect to take a few Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Calculus, and Physics classes )
**During dental school you should be shadowing dentists and writing down all the times that you shadow dentists. Your dental school application will ask for this information.**
2. Take the DAT (ideally you should take this test the summer after you complete your third year in college)
3. Apply to dental schools as early as possible! Dental school applications will open June 1 the summer after your third year. As soon as you have that DAT score, you should submit your applications.
4. After you graduate and start dental school you should immediately show interest in orthodontics. it is important to have very good grades in dental school, so study hard and do as good as you can!
5. You should find an orthodontist near your school to shadow or work for in your free time so that you can make sure you really want to be an orthodontist. You will also need letters of recommendation. Usually these will come from your dental school faculty, and at least one outside doctor (in your case, the orthodontist that you work for/ shadow).
6. During dental school you should set up visits to different schools that offer orthodontic residency during your breaks. Most of these visits will occur During Second and third year of dental school breaks like Thanksgiving break, Winter break, Spring Break, and Summer break.
7. During your third year of dental school you will apply for Orthodontic residency.
These are all the major steps you need to take. Good luck with your journey. Feel free to reference the Student Doctor Network website, there is tons of information to access there if you have more specific dental school and orthodontic questions, it has an open forum just like this.
https://www.studentdoctor.net/profession/dental/
Steps to becoming an Orthodontist:
1. Complete all prerequisite classes for dental school. (Declare Pre-Dental when you get to college and your school counselor should help you identify what classes you need to take. You can also confirm the classes needed by looking up dental school pre-requisites at the schools you would like to go to. Typically you can expect to take a few Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Calculus, and Physics classes )
**During dental school you should be shadowing dentists and writing down all the times that you shadow dentists. Your dental school application will ask for this information.**
2. Take the DAT (ideally you should take this test the summer after you complete your third year in college)
3. Apply to dental schools as early as possible! Dental school applications will open June 1 the summer after your third year. As soon as you have that DAT score, you should submit your applications.
4. After you graduate and start dental school you should immediately show interest in orthodontics. it is important to have very good grades in dental school, so study hard and do as good as you can!
5. You should find an orthodontist near your school to shadow or work for in your free time so that you can make sure you really want to be an orthodontist. You will also need letters of recommendation. Usually these will come from your dental school faculty, and at least one outside doctor (in your case, the orthodontist that you work for/ shadow).
6. During dental school you should set up visits to different schools that offer orthodontic residency during your breaks. Most of these visits will occur During Second and third year of dental school breaks like Thanksgiving break, Winter break, Spring Break, and Summer break.
7. During your third year of dental school you will apply for Orthodontic residency.
These are all the major steps you need to take. Good luck with your journey. Feel free to reference the Student Doctor Network website, there is tons of information to access there if you have more specific dental school and orthodontic questions, it has an open forum just like this.
https://www.studentdoctor.net/profession/dental/