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How an orthodontist can use AI, task by task

O*NET 29-1023.00: OrthodontistsMedian pay $289,140/year (BLS, May 2025)11 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.

Your job title Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Board Certified Orthodontist, Orthodontic Dentist, Orthodontic Specialist, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialist, Orthodontics Doctor, Orthodontist.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 0%AI-assist 35%Stays human 65%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 0 AI-ready, 4 AI-assist and 7 human-led tasks out of 11. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork

Thinking & planning

People & communication

Leading & teaching

Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.Crunch the numbers · Several times a day
Instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.Train & teach · Several times a day
Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.Write it up · Several times a day

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.Make the call · Several times a day
Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.Hands-on care · Several times a day
Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.Hands-on care · Several times a day

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 0

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

None of this job's tasks are here.

AI can help you prep these 4

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.

Several times a day

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an orthodontist. Part of my job is to study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.

Context: We use Patient management software and Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions Dolphin Management; the work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and physics.
Data: [de-identified records, trends]
Goal: [treatment planning]

Identify patterns and needs. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Patient needs analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you study diagnostic records. Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals..

Instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.

Several times a day

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an orthodontist. Part of my job is to instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.

Context: We use Patient management software and Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions Dolphin Management; the work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and physics.
Technique: [procedure]
Learners: [providers, assistants]

Plan teaching with demonstration and supervised practice. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Teach clinical techniques

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you instruct dental officers and technical assistants.

Step 2Fill in [Technique] and [Learners] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Swap one AI example for a real story from your own work. Real stories are what people remember.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Train medical providers..

Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.

Several times a day

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an orthodontist. Part of my job is to prepare diagnostic and treatment records.

Context: We use Patient management software and Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions Dolphin Management.
Specialty: [chiropractic, dental, general]
What to capture: [conditions, meds, allergies, history]

Draft a medical history template with prompts. No patient data. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: History-taking template

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare diagnostic and treatment records.

Step 2Fill in [Specialty] and [What to capture] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Record patient medical histories..

Design and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers, retainers, and labial and lingual arch wires.

Several times a day

AI generates options and references; taste and the final call are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to generate lots of options, references and rough mock-ups fast. The craft, the taste and the final call are what make it yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an orthodontist. Part of my job is to design and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers, retainers, and labial and lingual arch wires.

Context: We use American Orthodontics Compu-Ceph and American Orthodontics Photo-Eze; the work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and physics.
Need: [clinical problem, user]
Constraints: [safety, regulation, cost]

Generate device concepts with pros, cons and regulatory considerations. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

10-minute exercise: Medical device concept

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you design and fabricate appliances.

Step 2Fill in [Need] and [Constraints] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Pick the idea that sparks something and develop it yourself for 5 minutes.

Check the usage rules for AI images and text in your field, and make sure the final work is original.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Design medical devices or appliances.. Also involves: Fabricate medical devices..

These stay human 7

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: every day · Contact with others: constant contact with others · Physical closeness to others: very close (near touching) · Responsible for others' health and safety: very high responsibility

Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.

Several times a day

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as an orthodontist. Part of my job is to diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and physics.
Findings: [general findings, no patient details]
Records: [x-rays, models]

List differential considerations and further tests. I diagnose. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

10-minute exercise: Dental diagnosis prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.

Step 2Fill in [Findings] and [Records] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Make the call yourself, then note whether anything it raised changed your mind.

Importance 4.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Diagnose dental conditions..

Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.

Several times a day

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an orthodontist. Part of my job is to adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and physics.
Appliance: [braces, retainer, denture]
Issue: [fit, comfort]

List adjustment steps and patient instructions. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Dental appliance adjustment

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you adjust dental appliances.

Step 2Fill in [Appliance] and [Issue] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check occlusion and comfort with the patient.

Importance 4.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Adjust dental devices or appliances to ensure fit..

Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.

Several times a day

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Prep prompt

I work as an orthodontist. Part of my job is to examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and physics.
Exam: [check-up, orthodontic assessment]
Patient group: [children, adults]

Write a plain explanation of what happens and common findings. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Oral exam explanation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you examine patients. Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Exam] and [Patient group] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Examine mouth, teeth, gums, or related facial structures..

Advise patients to comply with treatment plans.

Several times a day

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as an orthodontist. Part of my job is to advise patients to comply with treatment plans.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and physics.
Situation: [progress, plan changes; no names]
Goals: [what you want to agree]

Prepare openings, collaborative questions and how to handle disagreement. Then play the client. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Progress conversation with a client

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you advise patients. Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Situation] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the session, note what helped the client engage.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Confer with clients to discuss treatment plans or progress.. Also involves: Advise patients on effects of health conditions or treatments..

Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.

Several times a day

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Prep prompt

I work as an orthodontist. Part of my job is to fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and physics.
Appliance: [braces, retainer, denture]
Issue: [fit, comfort]

List adjustment steps and patient instructions. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Dental appliance adjustment

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you fit dental appliances. Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Appliance] and [Issue] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check occlusion and comfort with the patient.

Importance 4.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Adjust dental devices or appliances to ensure fit..

Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.

Several times a day

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as an orthodontist. Part of my job is to provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and physics.
Conversation: [treatment plan, medication advice, costs; no patient details]
Who: [patient, family]

Help me explain it clearly: key points, plain words for medical terms, questions they may ask, and how to check understanding. Then play the patient so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Discussing treatment information

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide patients. Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Conversation] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Use teach-back in the real conversation to check understanding.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members..

Coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services.

Daily

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as an orthodontist. Part of my job is to coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and physics.
Case: [general, no identifiers]
Question: [what you need from colleagues]

Prepare a summary, the question and options. Then play the colleague. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Interdisciplinary consult prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services (today).

Step 2Fill in [Case] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment..

Get the full prompt pack for Orthodontists

Every task, prompt and 10-minute exercise on this page in one PDF, formatted to print or keep on your desktop. Free.

Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

Critical Thinkingimportance 4.0/5
Used in: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Active Listeningimportance 4.0/5
Used in: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Reading Comprehensionimportance 3.9/5
Used in: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Speakingimportance 4.0/5
Used in: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

Monitoringimportance 4.0/5
Used in: Training and Teaching Others
Coordinationimportance 3.9/5
Used in: Training and Teaching Others
Service Orientationimportance 3.4/5
Used in: Training and Teaching Others
Learning Strategiesimportance 3.2/5
Used in: Training and Teaching Others

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

Prosthodontists90% human-led · Same preparation · $311,180/yr · usually post-doctoral training
Your skills already line up
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric90% human-led · Same preparation · $300,080/yr · usually post-doctoral training
Skills to build: Reading Comprehension, Instructing, Mathematics

Getting into this job

Post-doctoral training is most common (69% of workers)

High school or less 2%
Certificate or some college 8%
Bachelor's 3%
Graduate degree 88%

On-the-job training: 3–6 months
Related experience: 1–2 years
Professional certification: important (4.6/5)

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

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