Explore Your Options
If you’re an orthodontist entering or transitioning in the profession, use the checklist below to help you consider your options and identify a career path that is right for you. Be sure to click on each action item for a list of supporting tasks and resources.
Conduct a personal assessment and establish your personal philosophy, goals, preferences, and desired arrangements
- Why did you choose to pursue a career in orthodontics?
- What are your professional goals and aspirations? Where do you see yourself in the next 1-2 years? 5-10 years?
- What are your values? What is most important to you in the way you live and work?
- What motivates you? What directs your actions and decisions?
- How would you describe your personality?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- How would you describe your ideal community and lifestyle?
- What are your income needs and expectations?
Helpful Resources:
Learn about orthodontic career pathways and evaluate legal, financial, environmental, and personal advantages and disadvantages
- Which pathways appeal to you the most? Which do not?
- Which career paths align with your personality, strengths, and weaknesses?
- What arrangements are non-negotiable? In what ways are you willing to compromise?
Helpful Resources:
- AAO White Paper: Orthodontic Career Considerations for Residents and Graduates
- AAO Practice Modalities Comparison Tool
- AAO Webinar (2015) – How to Identify Orthodontic Job Opportunities
- AAO Webinar (2014) – What’s Best: Starting a Practice or Purchasing an Existing One?
- AAO Webinar (2012) – Path to Ownership, Partnership, Associateship
- AAO Webinar (2011) – Academic Careers in Orthodontics
- Group Practice: Look Before You Leap, Especially into a Nontraditional Group
- TeachDentistry.org
- Dentistry and the Military
Connect with peers, experienced doctors, mentors, experts, and other consultants to seek advice and clarify your career plans
- Write down a list of questions you would like to ask
- Determine how you can learn from their experiences
- Find out if your connections can introduce others who can help
Create a professional development plan based on your ideal career pathway(s)
- What knowledge, skills, and abilities do you need to have? (e.g., business management, finance, marketing, communication, leadership, negotiation, research, teaching, etc.)
- What types of learning opportunities or experiences will aid in your development?
Analyze your financial needs
- Consider refinancing or consolidating your student debt through a provider such as SoFi (an AAO-endorsed program)
- Consider current and potential living expenses, loans, and other debt
- How much income will you need to cover your monthly expenses?
Helpful Resources:
Determine where you want to live and practice
- Consider the cost of living such as housing, utilities, taxes, transportation, health care, cost of groceries, etc.
- Consider factors that contribute to your quality of life such as climate, population, culture, education, healthcare facilities, daily commute, proximity to family and friends, etc.
- If applicable, consider family needs for your spouse and children such as career opportunities, educational systems, sports and recreational activities, etc.
Helpful Resources:
Check state dental boards for licensure and reciprocity rules to determine where you can practice
Helpful Resources:
Ready to make a transition?
Access the any of the following checklists to get started.
