Orthodontist vs Dentist

Comparison at a glance

What does a Orthodontist do?

As an orthodontist, you specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and treating irregularities in the alignment of teeth and jaws. Your primary focus is on improving the function and appearance of patients' bites, often using braces or other orthodontic appliances. You work mainly in dental or specialized orthodontic practices where you see patients ranging from children to adults. Your job requires precision, patience, and strong communication skills to explain treatment plans and progress to patients and their families.

Your daily tasks include examining X-rays and dental impressions, designing treatment plans, fitting braces or aligners, and monitoring patients' progress over months or years. Since orthodontic treatment is often a long-term process, you build ongoing relationships with your patients. The work environment is mostly indoors and office-based, with limited physical labor but a high level of analytical thinking to customize treatments effectively.

What does a Dentist do?

As a dentist, your role is broader and involves diagnosing and treating a wide range of oral health issues. You perform procedures such as fillings, extractions, root canals, and cleanings, and you advise patients on oral hygiene and preventive care. You typically work in dental practices or hospitals, serving patients of all ages and backgrounds.

Your daily activities combine clinical procedures with patient consultations. You need excellent fine motor skills for precise work inside the mouth, and good communication skills to explain diagnoses and treatment options. While the work is mostly indoors and does not involve heavy physical labor, it requires a balance of technical skill and social interaction. You often manage emergencies and routine care, making your role varied and dynamic.

The key differences

• Orthodontists specialize exclusively in tooth and jaw alignment, whereas dentists handle a broader range of oral health issues including general dental care and treatments.
• Education for orthodontists requires completing a university dental degree followed by a specialized orthodontic program; dentists can enter the profession through either a university dental degree or a vocational applied bachelor's degree in dental care.
• Salaries differ, with dentists generally earning more (€4,500 to €8,500 gross per month) compared to orthodontists (€3,200 to €5,200 gross per month) in the Netherlands.
• The RIASEC codes show a difference in focus: orthodontists lean more towards investigative and social tasks, while dentists combine social and investigative tasks with a bit more creativity.
• Dentists often perform a wider variety of procedures and treatments, whereas orthodontists focus on longer-term treatment plans involving braces and alignment devices.

Similarities

• Both careers require strong communication skills as they involve explaining treatments and advising patients.
• You work mostly indoors in office or dental practice settings, with high levels of patient contact.
• Both roles demand precision and analytical skills to diagnose problems and design effective treatment plans.

Education and route

To become an orthodontist, you first complete a university-level dental degree. After this, you pursue a specialized orthodontic training program at the university level. This path is academically demanding and focuses on developing expertise in tooth and jaw alignment.

For dentists, there are two main educational routes. One is the university dental degree, which is academically oriented and leads to a broad dental qualification. The other is an applied bachelor's degree in dental care, which is more vocational and prepares you for general dental practice. Both routes qualify you to work as a dentist, but the university degree allows for further specializations like orthodontics.

Salary

In the Netherlands, orthodontists typically earn between €3,200 and €5,200 gross per month, with an average around €4,000. Dentists have a higher salary range, from €4,500 up to €8,500 gross per month, with a typical midpoint of about €6,500. The difference reflects the broader scope of dental practice and the demand for general dental services.

Which career suits you?

Choose to become an orthodontist if you are particularly interested in the detailed study of tooth and jaw alignment and enjoy working on long-term treatment plans that require patience and precision. This career suits you if you prefer a specialized focus and are comfortable with the academic path of university dental studies followed by specialization.

Choose to become a dentist if you want a broader role in oral health care that includes a variety of treatments and patient interactions. This career is suitable if you enjoy both clinical procedures and advising patients on dental hygiene and disease prevention. It also offers more flexibility in education routes and typically higher earnings.

Frequently asked questions

Do both orthodontists and dentists work with patients of all ages?

Yes, both orthodontists and dentists treat patients ranging from children to adults, although orthodontists often see patients over a longer period due to the nature of their treatments.

Is it possible to become an orthodontist without first becoming a dentist?

No, becoming an orthodontist requires first completing a university dental degree before specializing in orthodontics.

What kind of work environment do these careers involve?

Both careers mainly involve working indoors in dental practices or offices, with frequent direct contact with patients and a focus on precision and analytical skills.

Can you start working as a dentist with vocational training?

Yes, you can become a dentist through an applied bachelor's degree in dental care, which is a vocational route, or through a university dental degree.

See also

• Dentist vs Dental hygienist
• Oral Surgeon vs Orthodontist
• Oral Surgeon vs Dentist
• Careers in healthcare