Medical specialists for orthodontics

Orthodontists will have typically worked as a dentist after successfully completing dental school. They then will have specialised in the field of orthodontics. This requires three years of full-time, advanced training in orthodontics. This advanced vocational training is done both in a medical practice for orthodontics and the orthodontic department of a university medical center. In order to receive a degree for the advanced training, dentists have to pass a specialized board certification examination in orthodontics. No one may call himself/herself an orthodontist without being board certified in this specialized field.

Dentist, MSc. Orthodontics

Any dentist may pursue a master’s degree (MSc.) in orthodontics. This happens on a part-time basis. Graduates of these masters programs do not study orthodontics full-time. Likewise, they are not required to do a one-year residency at a university medical center. Therefore, a person holding this type of degree has gained less practical experience than someone who has passed a three-year training to become a medical specialist in orthodontics.

A master’s degree in orthodontics is awarded by accredited universities and colleges. These programs usually take about nine weeks to complete. The students are required to enroll in ten, forty-minute classes. The entire program takes less than 5 semesters. Compared to the three-year, full-time training for a specialized orthodontist, the programs for a master’s degree in orthodontics are much shorter.

Certified medical specialists in orthodontics and holders of a master’s degree in orthodontics (Msc.) often work together in one medical practice.

Dentist with a special focus in orthodontics

There is no extra degree required for dentists who merely have a special interest in orthodontics.