Who Does Orthodontics?

Depending on the complexity of the problem, orthodontic treatment can be carried out by general dentists, orthodontic specialists or orthodontic consultants.
In order to become a specialist in orthodontics, it is necessary for a dentist to undergo a further three years full time training.

The training programmes, which are inspected by the Royal College of Surgeons, also include detailed study of facial growth, orthodontic science and relevant research.

Orthodontic trainees also have to pass a testing series of exams if they are to be awarded an MOrth RCS qualification and registered as specialists with the General Dental Council. (It is important to distinguish this process from weekend courses where participants are not assessed for competence but are nevertheless awarded certificates.)

Orthodontic⁺ Specialists

Jeremy and Charlotte are both orthodontic consultants and specialists and have undergone a further period of advanced training culminating in an FDS (Orth) RCS. This enables them to take up a post of Consultant in Orthodontics, train the specialist orthodontists and consultant orthodontists of the future, treat the most complex cases, give guidance to specialist orthodontists and general dentists, and aid other specialists and dentists with an interest in orthodontics to formulate treatment plans for the more challenging cases.