The dental industry is an important sector in the United States. It is responsible for the population’s oral health and employs over half a million people. It’s worth over $100 billion and has a lot of room to grow.
The dental industry is large and complex, with many different types of businesses involved in providing care. These businesses include:
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Dental laboratories:
These businesses create dental prosthetics, such as crowns and dentures.
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Dental schools
These institutions train new dentists and other dental professionals.
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Dental suppliers:
These businesses sell dental products and equipment to dental practices.
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Dental practices
These are the businesses that provide dental care to patients. They can be private or public, for-profit or non-profit.
Those parts of dental laboratories are often called orthodontists. It’s a highly sought career and one that many aspiring dentists want to become. As an orthodontist, you can face a lot of competition. Here’s how you can improve your overall career.
More Education and Training
It never hurts to have more education and training when you’re part of the healthcare sector. The more you know, the more marketable you are to potential employers. In addition, you can improve your career as an orthodontist by completing additional education and training. There are many ways to do this, such as:
- Completing a residency: A residency is a type of postgraduate program that allows you to receive specialized training in a particular area of medicine or dentistry. Completing a residency can show potential employers that you’re dedicated to your chosen field and have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
- Pursuing Fellowship: A fellowship is an advanced type of postgraduate training that allows you to gain even more specialized knowledge and experience in a particular area of orthodontics. Fellowships are typically shorter in duration than residencies, but they can still benefit your career.
- Attending courses and workshops: Many different courses and workshops are available for orthodontists. These can help you learn new techniques or keep up-to-date with the latest advances in your field. There are online courses and workshops you can join if you don’t have the time for it.
By pursuing additional education and training, you can make yourself more attractive to potential employers and improve your overall career prospects as an orthodontist.
Invest in 3D Printers
As an orthodontist, you’ll spend a lot of time making dental prosthetics like dental implants. It can be time-consuming and also expensive. However, if you invest in 3D printers, you can cut down your time making these implants. It’ll also give you access to more advanced procedures, such as affordable all-on-four dental implants. This procedure is primarily grabbed by seniors who have lost multiple teeth. But people who don’t have time for numerous dental implants also get this procedure. It’s a great way to improve your career and give you an edge over other orthodontists who don’t have access to this technology. The average cost of a 3D printer is around $200. But it’s a small price to pay for the benefits it can bring your career.
Network with Other Professionals
As an orthodontist, you’ll need to network with other professionals in the dental industry. This includes dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dental lab technicians. By networking with these professionals, you can learn about new advances in the field, find new job opportunities, and get referrals for new patients. Networking is also a great way to build relationships with other professionals who can help you further your career.
You can network with other professionals by using social media. It’s an essential tool for many orthodontists and one you should use whenever you can. You can also network by using other modern digital tools in the dental industry.
Join Professional Organizations
There are many professional organizations for orthodontists. Some of the best organizations to join include:
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The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
The AAO is the largest organization for orthodontists in the world. It has more than 15,000 members and provides them with access to education, networking, and resources.
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The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO)
The ABO is a professional organization that promotes excellence in orthodontics through certification. To become certified by the ABO, you must complete an accredited orthodontic residency program and pass a written examination.
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The International Federation of Orthodontists (IFO
The IFO is a global organization representing orthodontists worldwide. It has more than 9,000 members and provides them with access to education, networking, and resources.
By joining professional organizations, you can access a wealth of resources to help you further your career as an orthodontist. You’ll also be able to network with other professionals and stay up-to-date on the latest advances in your field. Furthermore, it’ll keep you updated with your profession and gives you access to the latest news from researchers.
Being an orthodontist is a challenging but rewarding career. Some entrepreneurs dare to take up this job because of how it looks, but they soon realize that it’s much more than just making teeth look good. As an orthodontist, you have the opportunity to help people improve their oral health and give them a beautiful smile.
If you’re looking to improve your career as an orthodontist, you can follow the tips above to be a successful one in the future.
