Recognizing Orthodontists
The field of dentistry has ten specialties, one of which is orthodontics. People completing their dentistry degree at domestic or foreign universities are working as “surgeons, dentists” in the country.
At this stage, dentists depending on their interests may have more activity in one or more parts of the dentistry, which does not mean that they are specialist in these areas. Individuals who want to work as an orthodontist in the country need to attend specialized entrance examinations and if admitted to the university, have at least three years of postgraduate education.
Due to the complex nature of orthodontics treatments and the long duration of these treatments, it is not possible to teach a large part of the information needed to treat orthodontic patients in dentistry period (the subject of these specialized courses is not included in the doctoral program approved by the Ministry of Health)
When applying for postgraduate studies, the orthodontics field is more attractive to applicants, and there is only the possibility of accepting top grades for orthodontics. They graduate from mother universities through passing a three to four-year period, and eventually they are employed as university assistant professors through taking a specialized board exam and obtaining it.
If you are willing to have orthodontic treatment, it is best to be sure about the true degree of the person you are referring to. Note that unskilled people use misleading and deceptive titles to attract your attention. These titles can be presented in the following form in the sign, and prescription or other means of their presentation which have no solid reason to claim:
- Dentist, Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentist, Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentist, Preventive Orthodontics
- Orthodontics Dentist
- Orthodontist
- etc.
The only way to closely examine this issue is to examine individual records in the Iranian Orthodontists Association through the link “Searching for Orthodontists” as well as the website of the Islamic Republic of Iran Medical Council (www.irimc.org). Qualified individuals have been nominated as dental specialists in orthodontics.