I want to be an orthodontist?

hello, I want to be an orthodontist


and I am currently a high school student in VA





To show my interestes in becoming an orthodontist to colleges


I want to take some programs or volunteerings related to orthodontists. I live in near Manassas, VA.


Can anyone help me out ?





( I will be doing community services in Prince William County Hospital this summer vacation but I want to do another one that will show my interests in becoming an orthodontist )





thank you

I want to be an orthodontist?
One thing that you might be able to do is shadow an orthodontist as well as a dentist. To become an orthodontist you first have to get your degree in dentistry, then you complete your training in ortho. Try calling local dentists and orthodontists to see if they will let you spend the day with them at work. Once you get into college, there will be clubs which cater to people who plan to attend dental school. Get involved in those. Good luck!





As for now, you'll first have to apply to college (dental school comes later). You don't have to focus on dental activities to be a good applicant. Do some regular community service. Stay an active student in your high school. Keep your hobbies. Try to find something you're really interested in and stick with it.
Reply:Hi,





To become an orthodontist, you need to become a dentist first. That means you need to get into college, take pre-dental courses (and get good grades), take your DAT, and apply to dental school.





You will apply for an orthodontics specialty program during your 3rd year of dental school. If you got into an ortho program, you go there for 3 more years after you finish dental school to become an orthodontist.





You might want to get involved in the American Dental Association's mentoring program. Lots of good info at their website: http://www.ada.org/public/careers/beaden...





Hope this helps, and good luck!
Reply:I agree completely with the people above with one major caution!!. You Have to want to be a dentist too. I warned my cousin of the same thing. Her father (my uncle) was an orthodontist and she wanted to be an orthodontist but didn't want to be a dentist (she just wanted to get through dental school to get to orthodontic training). If you are ok with being just a dentist then...fantastic....and do exactly what the others have said. If the thought of being a general dentist is not what you want then really consider things.


Orthodontics is extremely tough to get into. Not every state has a program and the states that do have one accept only a handful of students. To get into dental school, typically you need a gpa of 3.5 or higher. To get into orthodonics you must graduate in the top 10 % of your dental class and have good contacts in the program. In my class (i am a dentist) I had 20 people wanting to get in (out of 100) and only 4 got accepted in the ortho program. There were over 100 applications nationwide and only roughly 15 slots available.


You'll find these stats similar for most schools. Definitely consider these stats and good luck . Dentistry and orthodontics are very rewarding.


Ps my cousin isn't finished with dental school and asked the ortho department head what she could do to increase her chances...he suggested donating money...no joke...I won't say what school she went to.