There’s a big difference between being trained in Orthodontic products and being a Certified Orthodontist.
Taking a few courses or, attending a few seminars on Orthodontic products is not enough to call yourself an Orthodontist. This may come as a surprise but these days any General Dentist can offer Orthodontic treatments after simply attending a weekend seminar put on by a company that manufactures orthodontic products. They may even receive a professional looking certificate to hang on their office walls. But, that is not the same as being a Certified Orthodontist.
Why is this happening?
It’s simple when you think about;
the manufacturers want to sell more
of their Orthodontic products and,
the General Dentist wants to increase
revenue by offering more dental services.
While this scenario can be
a good one for manufacturers and some General
Dentists, it may not be the best for patients.
All too often the orthodontic treatments provided
by a General Dentist deliver less than satisfactory
results wasting precious time and money of patients and families.
It takes years to become a certified Orthodontist.
Becoming a licensed and certified Orthodontist and, a member of a credible Orthodontic association such as the Canadian Association of Orthodontists as well as being recognised by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons takes much more time and effort than attending a few weekend or evening seminars.
A Certified Orthodontist Can
- Provide expert opinion on whether you need Orthodontic treatment
- Suggest a range of treatment options based on your situation and age
- Closely monitor your progress during your Orthodontic treatments
- Work closely with your General Dentist and (if required) other dental specialists
Are you ready to find an Orthodontist in Ottawa or Gatineau?
Becoming an Orthodontist is
a long and demanding educational journey:
- First up is University to obtain a Bachelor’s degree, usually in Science.
- Next up is four more years of education at Dental School accredited by the Canadian Dental Association after which a graduate is a General Dentist.
- To become an Orthodontist a General Dentist must go back to school to obtain a Masters’ degree.
- Then they must successfully complete an additional full-time residency program of up to three years of advanced education in Orthodontics. This stringent training includes studies in genetics, embryology, human growth and development, and biophysics.
- All that’s left to do after up to 12 years of post-secondary education is to pass the national dental specialty board certification examination in Orthodontics, governed by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.
Only dentists with this advanced specialty post-secondary education, additional training and
specialty board certification can call themselves orthodontic specialists.
Why trust your smile to a jack of all dental treatment trades?
In the medical profession, specialists such as Cardiologists and Gynecologists can safely assume that any responsible family physician will refer the types of complex, special cases that require a medical specialist.
Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case in the dental profession where growing numbers of General Dentists are taking on complex orthodontic cases. Over the past few years, members of the Ottawa-Gatineau Orthodontists Alliance have seen an increase in patients coming in to correct Orthodontic treatments that have gone wrong or not delivered the promised results. Seeing an Orthodontist is the best way to ensure that you experience the results you are looking for.
Are you ready to find an Orthodontist in Ottawa or Gatineau?
