Occupations · Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Orthodontists

Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 29-1023.00

5,150people employed, United States

▲ 4.4%projected change, 2024→2034

200openings a year, incl. replacements

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
Cleveland, OH	$211,410	200
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	$145,630	80
Provo-Orem, UT	$124,830	70
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	$234,170	—

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 5 areas with the most people in this occupation

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Typical education to enter: Doctoral or professional degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.
Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.
Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.
Advise patients to comply with treatment plans.
Instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.
Coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services.
Design and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers, retainers, and labial and lingual arch wires.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Critical Thinking4.0

Active Listening4.0

Monitoring4.0

Speaking4.0

Reading Comprehension3.9

Active Learning3.8

Science3.4

Writing3.4

Learning Strategies3.2

Mathematics2.1

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Facebook●Microsoft Office software●AdaAdstra Systems ADSTRA ManagementAdvance Ortho Systems Program DirectorAlgorithm Compu-CephAmerican Orthodontics Compu-CephAmerican Orthodontics Photo-EzeDolphin Imaging & Management Solutions Dolphin ManagementEZapptFYI Technologies Dr. CephFYI Technologies Dr. ViewGAC International OrthoPlexICE Dental SystemsIMS Specialty Services IMS Digital OfficeInnovative Software Inn-Soft Office ManagerKatchitek Corporation OrthoManagerKodak Dental Systems Kodak ORTHOWARENew Horizons Software OrthoExecOasys structural design and analysis softwareOrtho Computer Systems ViewPointOrthoChartOrthoeasePatient management softwarePerfectByte OrthoSolutions by Design ScreenPlayWeb browser software

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

5 / 5Extensive preparation — graduate school, and often a licence on top.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to Disease or Infections+2.3 above average

Exposed to Radiation+2.2 above average

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets+2.0 above average

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers+1.6 above average

Health and Safety of Other Workers+1.4 above average

Physical Proximity+1.4 above average

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions−1.3 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2023-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Post-Doctoral Training69%

Doctoral Degree12%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)8%

First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.7%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2023-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Investigative5.7

Realistic5.6

Conventional4.6

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Advise patients to comply with treatment plans.

O*NET 27.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Complex Problem Solving4.0

Coordination3.9

Social Perceptiveness3.9

Time Management3.8

Judgment and Decision Making3.8

Service Orientation3.4

Instructing3.2

Persuasion3.2

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Medicine and DentistryCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageBiologyComputers and ElectronicsMathematics

Abilities it leans on

Problem SensitivityOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionFinger DexterityArm-Hand SteadinessInductive Reasoning

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

DoctorOrthodontistOrthodontics DoctorOrthodontic DentistPediatric OrthodontistOrthodontic SpecialistBoard Certified OrthodontistDental Treatment CoordinatorInvisible Braces OrthodontistDentofacial Orthopedics DentistOrthodontic Treatment CoordinatorOrthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialist

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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FacebookMicrosoft Office software

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning.

Now listed 5

+Facebook+Patient management software+Oasys structural design and analysis software+Ada+Microsoft Office software

No longer listed 3

−Kodak Dental Systems Kodak OPMS Practice Management Software−Oasys Practice−Kodak Dental Systems Kodak Orthodontic Imaging Software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

DoctorOrthodontistOrthodontic DentistOrthodontics DoctorOrthodontic SpecialistPediatric OrthodontistOrthodontist, Vice PresidentBoard Certified OrthodontistDental Treatment CoordinatorInvisible Braces OrthodontistDentofacial Orthopedics DentistOrthodontic Treatment Coordinator

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
dental technician	3214.2	close
specialist dentist	2261.2	broader
dental practitioner	2261.1	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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