You want the best orthodontist in Central Florida for your child – and we understand!
Once you get started with an orthodontist, it benefits you to stick with them throughout treatment. If you have to start over with a different Florida orthodontist, there could be a gap in treatment. Despite everyone’s best intentions, important details can be overlooked.
With that in mind, choosing the right Port Orange orthodontist is crucial.
That means finding the one who is best qualified to meet your needs.
Any orthodontist practicing in Central Florida has gone through intensive preparation at dental school. But after the first few years, their paths diverge. Some will complete their studies in about four years, and others will go on to pursue additional training – representing the state of the art in the industry.
The difference is summed up in the terms orthodontic specialist and board-certified orthodontist.
Let’s take a closer look.
All Dentists and Orthodontists Start with Four Years of Dental School
After a 4-year degree from a traditional college or university, aspiring dentists and orthodontists attend dental school. That amounts to another rigorous four years of study, and many students drop out early.
Those who graduate dental school and pass all of their requirements become a doctor – three major categories are “Doctor of Dental Surgery,” “Doctor of Dental Medicine,” and “Doctor of Orthodontics.”
The first two years of dental school are identical to the medical school curriculum of other physicians. Dentists need to learn about human health and physiology. Once they’ve mastered the fundamentals, they start working on their area of specialization. That’s where focused orthodontics training begins.
All Orthodontists Have at Least Two Years of Specialized Training
A dental student is considered an orthodontic specialist after they pass the first two years of dental school and elect to emphasize orthodontics in the final two years.
Orthodontists undergoing their specialization will learn a great deal about oral and dental health. They discover the science behind issues such as tooth gaps and misalignments that they’ll help patients with in the future. They gain the skills they’ll need to use specialized technology later on.
After completing four years of dental school, orthodontists will generally complete a 2-3 year residency. As a resident orthodontist, they work under the direct supervision of a more experienced orthodontist. They will begin to care for patients directly, but their supervisor holds the ultimate responsibility.
After residency, the orthodontist is ready to further expand their skills or go into practice.
For example, orthodontists must undertake additional training to offer Invisalign® clear aligners to their patients. Optional courses can add several months to the education process.
However, that’s where the specialist stops.
A board-certified orthodontist like Dr. Beauchamp goes even further.
Only a Handful of Elite Orthodontists Become Board-Certified Orthodontists
In any medical profession, board certification is the highest level of training anyone can reach. A board-certified physician undergoes an additional period of the most demanding training available. At the end of that time, they face challenging written tests and a notorious clinical examination.
While the written tests can be difficult, it’s the clinical exam that’s truly infamous. It is comparable to the hundreds or even thousands of hours of study that an attorney undertakes before attempting the bar exam. It touches on every aspect of clinical practice and patient care.
The written and practical exams are overseen by the American Board of Orthodontics. The ABO is the most respected professional body in the orthodontic field here in the United States. It’s dedicated to continuously improving orthodontics. All members pledge to pursue excellence and integrity.
Dr. Beauchamp is among a small number of board-certified orthodontists in Volusia County.
Nothing else compares to a board-certified Port Orange orthodontist. To stay current, board-certified orthodontists are also expected to recertify regularly. They must constantly hone their craft and learn the latest treatments.
A board-certified Port Orange orthodontist can also contribute to the industry in unique ways. They are equipped to handle challenging and unusual orthodontics cases. When one of these cases may advance the field of orthodontics, they’ll often publish research papers to inform other practitioners.
Of course, much of this goes on behind the scenes.
For your family, it means the absolute highest quality of care comes from a board-certified orthodontist.
Dr. Beauchamp Is the Board-Certified Port Orange Orthodontist You Can Trust
Dr. Beauchamp is a board-certified orthodontist dedicated to the best care and results for your family. Not only has she gone above and beyond in training, but she helps make orthodontics more enjoyable.
Schedule a consultation to learn more or get started.
