To become an orthodontic specialist, you will typically have to complete the requirements for becoming a dentist in your jurisdiction and then continue on to seek specialty training in the field. Usually, the educational requirements include four years of college followed by four years of dental school, though the length of each program may vary depending on the country in which you live. After completing a dental program, you will then have to enroll in and complete a post-graduate program in orthodontics; this will usually require another two to three years of education. Additionally, you will likely have to pass licensing exams to practice as an orthodontic specialist.
You can start preparing to become an orthodontic specialist by earning a high school education. Your high school education may not only help you gain admission to college, but also prepare you for the more advanced courses you'll face in college and dental school. Science courses that include labs may prove particularly helpful, but you might also benefit from advanced math courses that prepare you for rigorous college work. Even composition classes can help you develop your written communication skills, which will be important in college, dental school, and throughout your dental career.
Your post-high school education will typically continue with college. Usually, you will have to spend about four years working to earn a bachelor's degree. You can choose a pre-dental major in college, but this is usually not a requirement. You can likely gain admission to dental school with a degree in a range of different subjects. You may, however, benefit from taking a significant number of your college credits in science-related subjects. For example, biology and anatomy classes might provide good preparation for dental school and your career as an orthodontist.
After college, you will have to attend dental school to become an orthodontic specialist. Usually, such a program will require you to spend four years in dental school, after which you will likely have to spend at least two to three years in a post-graduate program that focuses on orthodontics.
Most jurisdictions also have licensing requirements a person must meet in order to become an orthodontic specialist. Licensing laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but you will typically have to pass a dental licensing exam to secure the right to practice dentistry in your area. You might also have to pass an additional exam to become board certified as an orthodontist.
