Orthodontist

Other Titles

Specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance. Orthodontists treat a wide range of problems related to oral cavities and dental structures. They specialise in a specific branch of dental work focused on restructuring or improving misaligned or damaged teeth and jaws. In this role, they work closely with the patients and study the results of X-rays and other tests to accurately diagnose the problem. They also design appropriate appliances which aid in realigning or maintaining the teeth and jaw structures. A part of their job is to come up with a suitable treatment plan keeping in view the unique dental or oral problems of a patient. They may also recommend a patient to other dental or healthcare professionals when needed.

Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.

Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.

Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.

Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.

Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.

Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.

Instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.

Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.

Design and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers, retainers, and labial and lingual arch wires.

Coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services.

Active Listening→ Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Social Perceptiveness→ Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Active Learning→ Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Science→ Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Writing→ Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Operations Analysis→ Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Instructing→ Teaching others how to do something.

Management of Personnel Resources→ Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Persuasion→ Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Service Orientation→ Actively looking for ways to help people.

Systems Analysis→ Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Learning Strategies→ Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Negotiation→ Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Assisting and Caring for Others→ Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources→ Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization→ Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards→ Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public→ Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events→ Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Interacting With Computers→ Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates→ Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Coaching and Developing Others→ Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Training and Teaching Others→ Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Developing and Building Teams→ Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People→ Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others→ Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others→ Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others→ Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Thinking Creatively→ Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Scheduling Work and Activities→ Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings→ Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Developing Objectives and Strategies→ Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Performing Administrative Activities→ Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Handling and Moving Objects→ Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Selling or Influencing Others→ Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material→ Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Staffing Organizational Units→ Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information→ Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others→ Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.

Adjust dental devices or appliances to ensure fit.

Diagnose dental conditions.

Examine mouth, teeth, gums, or related facial structures.

Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.

Train medical providers.

Record patient medical histories.

Design medical devices or appliances.

Fabricate medical devices.

Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

Problem Sensitivity→ The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Arm-Hand Steadiness→ The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Deductive Reasoning→ The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Finger Dexterity→ The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Information Ordering→ The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g. , patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Written Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Manual Dexterity→ The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Category Flexibility→ The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Fluency of Ideas→ The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Control Precision→ The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Selective Attention→ The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Visualization→ The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Originality→ The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

Medicine and Dentistry→ Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Customer and Personal Service→ Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Biology→ Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Administration and Management→ Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Economics and Accounting→ Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Psychology→ Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Sales and Marketing→ Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Physics→ Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

Mathematics→ Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Personnel and Human Resources→ Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Calendar and scheduling software -- Scheduling software; Acuity Scheduling

Graphics or photo imaging software -- e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop; GNU Image Manipulation Program GIMP; Microsoft Visio; Trimble SketchUp Pro; SmugMug Flickr

Internet browser software -- e.g., Apple Safari; Windows Explorer; Google Chrome; Mozilla Firefox

Medical software -- Dental software

Chemical or gas sterilizers→ Cold sterilizers

Cosmetic dentistry curing lights or accessories→ Dental curing light sources

Dental files or rasps→ Interproximal strippers

Dental gages or accessories→ Boone gauges; Dontrix gauges

Dental mirrors or mirror handles→ Mouth mirrors

Dental placement instruments→ Double-ended band seaters; Ligature directors; Positive positioners; Twirl-ons (see all 6 examples)

Dental probes→ Dental explorers; Single-end explorers

Dental retractors→ Cheek retractors

Dental scalers or accessories→ Dental scalers

Dental scissors→ Distal end cutters; Orthodontic wire cutters

Dental tweezers→ College tweezers

Dental x ray units→ Dental digital panoramic x ray units; Dental digital x ray machines

Desktop computers

Digital cameras→ Digital stereoscopic cameras

Dry heat or hot air sterilizers→ Dry heat sterilizers

Medical computed tomography CT or CAT scanners or tubes→ Dental cone beam computed tomography CT equipment

Medical staff isolation or surgical masks→ Surgical masks

Micrometers→ Dental micrometers

Notebook computers→ Laptop computers

Orthodontic pliers→ Adhesive removing pliers; Band contouring pliers; Band removers; Band slitting pliers; Bird beak pliers; Bracket removing pliers; Cap removing pliers; Hemostat pliers; Hollow chop pliers; Jarabak pliers; Ligature tying pliers; Lingual arch forming pliers; Loop forming pliers; Pin and ligature cutters; Light wire pliers; Surgical hook crimping pliers; Posterior band removing pliers; Rectangular arch forming pliers; Tie-back pliers

Orthodontic setter bands→ Band pushers

Personal computers

Safety glasses

Scanners→ Intraoral 3-D imaging devices; Laser scanners

Steam autoclaves or sterilizers→ Autoclave sterilizers

Surgical gloves

Tablet computers

Ultrasonic cleaning equipment→ Ultrasonic cleaners

Investigative→ Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Realistic→ Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Social→ Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.

Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Independence→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Achievement→ Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.