Orthodontist job description.
An Orthodontist is a dental specialist who diagnoses and treats misaligned teeth and jaws using braces, aligners, and other corrective devices. They develop treatment plans, monitor patient progress, and lead a clinical team to deliver safe, effective orthodontic care.
The Orthodontist job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Orthodontist Reports to: Practice Owner or Dental Group Director
An Orthodontist is a dental specialist who diagnoses and treats misaligned teeth and jaws using braces, aligners, and other corrective devices. They develop treatment plans, monitor patient progress, and lead a clinical team to deliver safe, effective orthodontic care.
- Examine patients and diagnose orthodontic issues using X-rays and imaging
- Develop individualized treatment plans using braces, aligners, or appliances
- Perform procedures to place, adjust, and remove orthodontic devices
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Practice Owner or Dental Group Director
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Examine patients and diagnose orthodontic issues using X-rays and imaging
- Develop individualized treatment plans using braces, aligners, or appliances
- Perform procedures to place, adjust, and remove orthodontic devices
- Monitor patient progress and adjust treatment plans as needed
- Supervise dental assistants and orthodontic staff
- Educate patients and families on treatment options and oral care
- Maintain accurate clinical records and treatment documentation
- Ensure compliance with dental health and safety regulations
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree with completed orthodontic residency
- Current licensure/board certification as required by state and employer
- Strong manual dexterity and attention to detail
- Excellent patient communication and bedside manner
- Experience with clear aligner systems (e.g., Invisalign)
- Practice management or ownership experience
- Bilingual communication skills
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Orthodontist job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Orthodontist job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The senior band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Practice Owner or Dental Group Director) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What licensure is required for an Orthodontist?
- Candidates must hold current licensure/board certification as required by state and employer, including completion of an accredited orthodontic residency.
- Should the posting mention specific treatment systems?
- If the practice uses a particular clear aligner or bracket system, noting it helps attract candidates already trained on that technology.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Dentist
A Dentist diagnoses and treats conditions of the teeth, gums, and mouth, performing preventive, restorative, and surgical procedures.
Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist provides preventive oral health care, including cleanings, screenings, and patient education, under the supervision of a dentist.
Dental Assistant
A Dental Assistant supports dentists during patient examinations and procedures while helping keep the practice running efficiently.
This Orthodontist job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.