Choosing the right orthodontic residency program involves evaluating factors such as prestige, relationship building, and influence in the local community. Researching programs well in advance and considering subjective measures such as teaching quality and friendliness of the learning environment is important. Residency participation is required to become a licensed orthodontist.
Determining which orthodontic residency program is right for you is usually a matter of determining what you want to get out of the residency experience: prestige, relationship building, and influence in the local community are all elements that must be evaluated before making a decision. . While the most competitive and highly ranked programs can boost your professional reputation, ranking is not the only factor. Residency programs generally last two years or more, which is a substantial time investment. To ensure your happiness and success, it’s a good idea to look for programs that have a good feel. Part of this will depend on geographic location and patient base, and part will depend on professors, instructors and other colleagues.
Your search for the perfect orthodontic residency program should begin with applications. Most residency programs in the United States and Great Britain require completed applications to be submitted almost a year in advance, usually by October 1st for the start of summer. This means that you will need to start researching residency programs well in advance.
When researching, look at course ratings, but also look at more subjective measures such as quality of teaching and friendliness of the learning environment. Information about what type of patients the patients deal with is also valuable. The main areas of research are important, but they shouldn’t influence your decision too much.
Residency participation is one of the only ways to study orthodontics in any depth, and most orthodontic residency programs culminate in a degree in orthodontic medicine. As such, programs often cover orthodontics comprehensively. Even if you know you want to practice pediatric orthodontics, for example, or reconstructive orthodontics, you don’t have to choose a specifically pediatric or reconstructive residency program. This is rare, and you will learn everything you need to know about a variety of orthodontic disciplines over the course of any accredited residency program. After completing your residency, you will be able to choose to practice as an orthodontic specialist.
Orthodontic residency programs are typically highly competitive. Schools and hospital systems generally accept only one or two residents per year. Much of what makes a residency program the best for you may simply be being accepted into it.
One of the best ways to increase your chances of success is to start your planning early, usually well before your senior year of dental school. Most orthodontic residency programs require not only dental transcripts, but also personal statements, recommendations from professors and clinical consultants, and often an endorsement from your school’s dean of dentistry as well. These individuals should be contacted well in advance of the deadline. If possible, schedule a series of meetings with them to explain your interest in pursuing an orthodontic residency. The more information they have about you, the stronger their recommendation letters will be.
Licensing rules vary by jurisdiction, but participation in an orthodontic residency program is generally required for a dentist to be licensed as an orthodontist. Choosing an orthodontic residency program can be a daunting task, but the decision is often easier with a clearly defined list of goals and expectations. Residency programs are not required to become an orthodontic assistant or other hygienist. Such support staff must participate in a variety of professional training programs, but doctoral-level research undertaken in a residency program is not included.
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