The Demand for Orthodontics

As a general or pediatric dentist, one of the best ways to grow your dental practice is to turn to orthodontics. Orthodontic services can help widen your practice, offering more comprehensive services for patients. 

According to the American Dental Association, there were roughly 200,500 dentists in the United States in 2022 alone. As competition increases, it is important to find ways to help you stand out. Learn more about how taking orthodontic courses can aid you as you transform your dental practice. 

Let’s face it: Convenience is a huge draw. Dental patients are always searching for simpler ways to get the comprehensive care they need. This is especially true for patients with children who need orthodontic treatment. 

The American Association of Orthodontists states that there are about 4 million Americans wearing braces. It turns out that 20% of those are adults, and the other 80% are children between 6 and 18. So whether you’re a pediatric or general dentist, the simplest way for your patients to access care is for you to provide what they need without having to refer out. 

Benefits of Adding Orthodontics

Orthodontics courses offer the chance to increase your revenue. The average cost of braces is $5,500, according to the American Dental Association’s 2020 Survey of Dental Fees. This means you could see a yearly revenue boost of nearly $200,000 just by treating three new orthodontic patients each month.

Offering both general dentistry and orthodontics helps improve the patient experience. You’re able to offer complete dental services in one location, saving patients time while letting them get the services they need from someone they know and trust. For children, this is crucial.

As you can see, incorporating orthodontics is a great way to help your dental practice stand out. You can easily attract new patients and make life easier for the ones you already have. It also helps fuel your passion for dentistry. By expanding your services, you keep yourself motivated and engaged with your patients in every way. 

Factors To Consider

If you’re thinking about taking general dentist orthodontic courses, remember that they take time. It requires a significant commitment in time and energy, which isn’t always possible depending on patient demands. 

You also have to expect a learning curve when you implement these new techniques. This doesn’t always translate into fast returns on your investment, and orthodontic materials can be costly. Your dental practice may not have the budget for the necessary equipment and materials.

So to determine if this endeavor is worthwhile for you as a general or pediatric dentist, consider how many of your patients would benefit from orthodontics. If your current patient base is primarily families with children, you could have a new revenue stream quickly when you add orthodontics. If your patient base is mainly people over 50 who aren’t as focused on orthodontic treatments, the equation changes.

The Role of Education

Taking the right orthodontic courses is essential for successful integration. The orthodontics field is a complex one. Yes, it requires learning about the issues patients face in their journeys to straighter teeth. But it also means knowing which equipment and materials are most effective for each individual case. 

At the American Orthodontic Society, we provide orthodontic courses that cover everything you need to know to get started. Our basic courses include Comprehensive Basic Straight Wire Orthodontics and Virtual Comprehensive Basic Straight Wire Orthodontics. 

Natural next steps are our intermediate courses, Intermediate Straight Wire Orthodontics and Airway Focused Pediatric Care. We also provide a digital aligner bootcamp that focuses on orthodontic movements, 3D printing and lab processing, and even marketing. 

Our advanced course is Adjunctive Orthodontic Procedures, which is for dentists who’ve completed our basic and intermediate courses. It gets into the principles of orthodontic surgery. 

Consider taking orthodontic courses.

If you have a patient base that requires orthodontics, investing your time and money in these courses can make a difference to your bottom line and patient experience. By weighing the pros and cons of expanding your practice, you can make an informed decision. At the American Orthodontic Society, we’re here to help you take your practice to the next level. With basic, intermediate, and advanced classes, you can learn the intricacies of orthodontic care. Contact the American Orthodontic Society today to learn more.