What is an Orthodontist?
All our Orthodontists started life as a ‘regular’ dentist after graduating with a degree in dentistry.
Orthodontics is separated from general dentistry due to its sheer complexity and difficulty to learn. Use of the title “Orthodontist” is protected by the General Dental Council in the UK and consequently the road to qualification is long and very difficult.
Becoming an Orthodontist involves leaving high street dentistry behind and moving into Hospital Dentistry to gain a breadth of experience in more complex treatments and disciplines such as Maxillofacial Surgery. Eligibility for application on to an Orthodontic training course is possible after a minimum of two years working in hospital, but entry is fiercely competitive and it often takes several attempts to get through the entry process. When successful, candidates undertake another 3 years of full-time training, combined with a Masters Degree completed at Dental School. At this point, gruelling exams are taken, which when passed allow the individual to use the term ‘Orthodontist’ and enter onto the General Dental Council Specialist List.
The quickest it is possible to become an orthodontist is ten years in total, however some orthodontists go on to undertake even more further training to become a Consultant in Orthodontics working with extremely complex problems in Hospital departments locally.
If you are considering orthodontics and having your teeth straightened, at Newport Orthodontic Centre you couldn’t be in safer hands.
Come and see the specialists.
