Wants to be an orthodontist when you grow up?

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#1 Post by **1fifthmiles** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:40 am

Hey, ever since i have put on braces, i have been reading up a lot of braces, and i find that being a orthodontist is rather easy, and i would like to become one. However, it is difficult to become a orthodontist in my country because we need to go through test and interviews. And they are carefully selected. Also to be able to enter the school, I will have to take 'A' levels. But i do not plan to take my 'A' levels after my Os. I plan to obtain my diploma. Then finally go to a university to get my bachelor.

I also have another interest which is being graphic designer/animator. Many people say that I am really good at this. But i really dont know if i should be a orthodontics. Furthermore, I have to get my Masters to be one. And becoming a dentist, they have to learn many things before specializing, and some stuff that the dentist learn are not really related to the job of orthodontist.. Furthermore, i think they have to attend seminars, etc...

So what do you guys think?

#2 Post by **Jen8626** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:21 am

If you really want to be an orthodontist go for it!!! Personally I don't like the idea of looking into people's mouths everyday

Dentists earn a tonne of money! Go with you gut instinct on what you want to do!

#3 Post by **berry** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 8:22 am

I'm sure it takes many years to become an orthodontist, but it would be a good career choice in my opinion, if you are interested and willing to put the effort in. Like Jen said, they get good money!

Also, I'm studying in university to be a graphic designer.

#4 Post by **Theresa48** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 8:34 am

Yes, go for it!!! But make sure you will give back by giving free or reduced price braces to people who can't afford it, but having a wonderful smile could change their lives!

How great it would be to give people wonderful smiles????

#5 Post by **hal2me** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 10:01 am

Hi 1fifthmiles,

Go with what you are passionate about. Either career path will take a lot of time and effort, so you want to be happy with what you do. The last thing you want to do is follow a path just because it makes more money. That usually never ends with happiness in a career.

Good luck with what you decide and keep us posted!

#6 Post by **UGHBRACES** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 11:24 am

If you are interested in it and feel you would enjoy it then why not?

Its not something i'd like to do, i wouldn't mind collecting that pay cheque though!

#7 Post by **1fifthmiles** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 6:47 pm

Hey! thanks for all your replies! However, i still really dont know. I think its quite scary to look into people's teeth everyday. Also, i am more of a procrastinator. I would probably like to have a more relax studying environment. So, i should be a graphic designer? But they dont earn much.

#8 Post by **fosterp** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 1:02 pm

From what I read being in the dental profession is more about the business aspect rather than the clinical side. What I mean by that is your desire to go into the profession should consider most importantly the fact that you will be running your own business, being your own boss, managing a staff, legal aspects, etc - all without any sort of business training.

So while you may like the clinical aspects of orthodontics, you may wish to reconsider if you are not the type to run your own business.

#9 Post by **1fifthmiles** » Sun Jun 06, 2010 4:52 am

hmm, i want to ask if a dentist needs to have really good english. Cause' my english isnt very good. Like for their thesis, do they need to have a really good standard of english? etc. How's the exam like? Well, I am from Singapore.

#10 Post by **Bellalalala** » Sun Jun 06, 2010 8:47 pm

Maybe one of the dentists might weigh in on this, but ortho is not exactly easy.

I don't know what country you are in now, but in many countries, dentistry is an extremely difficult program to get in to, and ortho is one of the hardest specialties to get into once you finish dental school.

I suggest volunteering with a dentist to see what the job is actually like and then deciding. You can't actually have a good idea of what is involved in being a dentist from being a patient. That's like thinking you know what it's like to be a doctor by being a patient.

btw, I am in dental school right now in Canada.

#11 Post by **1fifthmiles** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:32 am

hmm do you guys take A and O levels? how well do you have to do in your country to get into a dental school?

#12 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:33 am

@fosterp This is true only if you wish to own a practice. A large percentage of orthodontists and other specialists are simlpy employed as orthodontists. They do clinical work and do not need to manage anything other than patient care.

@bella Ortho usually requires the highest board scores and is the most competitive specialty due to the sheer number of people who wish to apply for it. At the time I applied, there were over 8000 applications for about 280 positions in North America. I got really lucky :).

#13 Post by **1fifthmiles** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:27 pm

so were your results exceptionally good?
hmmm, i didnt get straight A in secondary school (middle school) and also not in the first few years of high school.
so ill probably stick to a animator or graphic designer..