Orthodontist Jobs in the United States

Orthodontist Jobs: Overview

Do you know the anatomy of the teeth and jaw better than the back of your hand? There are tons of orthodontist jobs you can sink your teeth into. As an orthodontist, you’ll specialize in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental irregularities (e.g., overbites, underbites, and jaw misalignments). 

Most orthodontists work full-time for dentist offices, surgical hospitals, and general medical facilities. The typical day-to-day duties for orthodontists include:

• Examining patients with X-rays and other diagnostic tests.
• Treating dental irregularities with braces, aligners, retainers, and other appliances.
• Meeting with patients to monitor dental progress and make necessary adjustments.
• Adhering to dental policies, procedures, guidelines, regulations, and standards.
• Discussing treatment options and costs with patients.

Salary for Orthodontist Jobs

The median salary for orthodontists is $120,865 per year, according to Monster’s salary data. You could earn more or less, depending on your experience level and geographic location. Having an ABO certificate can also influence your salary.

Want to know how much orthodontists typically earn in your area? Just enter the job title and location into Monster’s Salary Tool to find the median salary, pay range, and a list of locations where orthodontists are in high demand.

How to Find the Orthodontist Jobs That Fit You

Finding the right orthodontist position is crucial to your career success and overall job satisfaction. Before you begin applying for orthodontist jobs, it’s important to find positions that align with your professional goals, experience, and skills. Below, you’ll find details on how to determine if an orthodontist job is right for you.

Read the Job Description

When you come across an orthodontist job posting, be sure to read through it thoroughly to fully understand the duties and responsibilities. Also, identify the key qualifications, skills, and experience required for the position. Be sure to look at the hours, salary, and benefits to ensure that they’re what you’re looking for.

Review an Employer’s Work Culture

If you want to learn more about an employer’s workplace culture, start with the company website. Many companies have a web page that discusses their mission, vision, and values. You can also check the company’s social media accounts to get an idea of what they stand for.

Plus, you can search for reviews and news articles about the company and try speaking to current and former employees to see what it’s actually like to work at the practice.

Look for Growth Opportunities

If you’re looking for opportunities to expand your skillset and advance into a higher role, look for training programs, workshops, and other professional development opportunities. You can typically find this information in the job posting or on an employer’s website. You might look for leadership training, further education in the newest orthodontic technology, or opportunities to learn how to open and operate your own practice.

How to Apply for Orthodontist Jobs

Take some time to carefully read through orthodontist job postings, so you can tailor your resume and cover letter to that specific position. Below, you’ll find important steps to take to apply for a job that’s a good fit for you.

Create an Orthodontist Resume

A resume is the first impression an employer has of you and is key to getting a job interview. Your resume should be clear, concise, and well-aligned with the job ad. Be sure to highlight the following details:

• Specialized skills you have such as temporomandibular disorder treatment and dental alignment.
• Credentials you have such as a state license or an ABO certificate.
• Your work experience as a practicing orthodontist or from your residency program.

Not sure what to write in your career summary or how to use resume keywords? Monster’s resume writing team will make your key strengths and skills shine, include the right keywords to get past the online screening software many job recruiters use, and write a comprehensive career summary that will leave recruiters wanting more.

Send a Cover Letter

Once you’ve created and refined your resume, make sure you have a cover letter ready to send when you apply for an orthodontist position. Your cover letter should express enthusiasm for orthodontics and discuss what you like about the job (e.g., working with other dental professionals and creating a personalized customer experience).

Apply to Orthodontist Jobs

When it’s time to start your search for orthodontist jobs, sign up with Monster and create your profile for free. But don’t hit that “submit” button until you’ve run a fine-tooth comb through your contact information, work experience, education, and skills.

How to Follow Up with an Employer

If you’ve applied for an orthodontist job and haven’t heard back from an employer, it’s a good idea to follow up and check on the status of your application. Send a follow-up email within a week or two of applying to express your continued interest in the job and ask for updates on the hiring process.

Keep your email concise and professional. If you come across as pushy, it could hurt your chances of getting an interview. If you still haven’t received a response after a week or two, try following up with another email or a phone call. After that, it may be time to move on and focus on other opportunities.

Interviewing Tips for Orthodontist Jobs

A job interview is a great opportunity for an employer to determine if you’re the right fit for an orthodontist job. It’s also a chance for you to learn more about an employer and the work environment.

Practice Answering Interview Questions

Performing your best during an interview takes preparation. Start by familiarizing yourself with dentist-related questions such as:

• What is your experience with radiology?
• Why do you want to work for this practice?
• Have you worked with dental office software?

Then, take some time to create your answers in advance and practice them in front of a mirror. Also, brace yourself for potential interview stumbles by learning how to quickly recover from them.

Follow Up After Your Interview

Make sure you send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of your interview to leave a lasting impression and express gratitude for an employer’s time and interest in you. If you don’t hear back from an employer within a week, follow up with an email or phone call to find out about the status of the hiring process.

Be sure to reinstate your interest in the position and enthusiasm for the company, so an employer knows that you’re a serious candidate. Be careful not to go overboard, as this can hurt your chances of getting a job offer.

What to Do When You Get an Orthodontist Job Offer

Congratulations! You’ve received a job offer. Now what? Before you accept it, it’s important to ensure that you make a well-informed decision. Take some time to evaluate the job offer, including the salary, benefits, and work schedule. If you haven’t done any research on the orthodontist practice, be sure to check out their website and read reviews to ensure that it’s the right place for you to work.

Also, think about how the job offer fits into your long-term career goals and provides the experience you need. If there are any other aspects of the job offer that don’t meet your needs, don’t hesitate to negotiate for better pay, benefits, and hours. You may be able to find a compromise that works for both you and the employer.

Once you’ve evaluated the job offer, done your research, and considered your career goals, it’s time to decide. If everything checks out and you feel good about the job offer, let the employer know that you’re ready to accept it. If not, politely decline the job offer and keep searching for other orthodontist jobs.

Orthodontist Career Paths

It generally takes 10 to 12 years to become an orthodontist after completing high school. Some orthodontists may get their foot in the door by taking on entry-level roles, either before or while they complete the required education, training, and licensure. Entry-level dental jobs typically include:

• Dental assistant: Dental assistants work directly with dentists and provide support during dental procedures. They also perform administrative tasks, sterilize dental instruments, prepare dental materials, and take X-rays.
• Dental hygienist: Dental hygienists work with patients to help them maintain good oral health. Their duties typically include cleaning patients’ teeth, providing fluoride treatments, performing oral cancer screenings, educating patients about good oral hygiene practices, and making treatment recommendations to dentists.

Orthodontists can open and manage their own practice or gain the necessary training to take on other roles such as:

• Oral surgeon: Oral surgeons perform surgeries and other invasive procedures on the mouth, jaw, and face. Some of the procedures they perform include tooth extractions, dental implants, jaw surgery, biopsies of oral tissue, facial trauma treatment, and jaw reconstruction.

Similar Occupations

Interested in similar healthcare jobs? Here are a few that we suggest clicking on:

• dental jobs
• dentist jobs
• oral surgeon jobs