Most orthodontics programs in the United States require applicants to have completed or currently be in their last year of completing either a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree (DMD.) Students must also have passed at least the first part of the National Board of Dentistry Exams. Once these requirements are met, students may enter into orthodontic training. Some schools, like Marquette University in Wisconsin, offer a master's degree in dentistry with an orthodontics certificate, while other schools, like West Virginia University, offer a master of science in orthodontics.
Orthodontics graduate students are practicing medical residents. Students attend classes in subjects like anatomy, oral radiology and orthodontic theory. Depending on the program, they may either work in a dental clinic or hospital taking on patients under supervision of faculty and practicing orthodontists. Later years of study are generally less focused on classes and more focused on patients and clinical research. Students in most programs are expected to prepare and present a number of clinical reports based on their research findings to a board of educators before obtaining a degree.
After students have received an advanced education degree in orthodontics, they must still be certified by the American Board of Orthodontists. Exams are multiple choice and are written collaboratively by orthodontic professionals and American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) officials. The exam is offered at electronic testing sites throughout the United States. After passing the written exam, applicants for certification must undergo a clinical examination which utilizes cases from the graduate's recently completed residency. The applicant must present the required case reports to ABO officials alongside an oral defense of treatment.
The field of medicine is ever changing, as new research, methods and medications are constantly being presented and put into use. Practitioners who want to stay up to date on current ideas or simply brush up on the basics find continuing education courses invaluable. Many schools of dentistry offer seminars to professionals either in the course of a day or a weekend. Online continuing education courses are also often available through schools like the University of Washington.