"Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures" (ADA).
How long is orthodontics residency?
24 - 36 months depending on the program and if it offers a master's degree
What makes a competitive applicant?
Top 10% of the class, a competitive GRE score (QR 160+, VR 160+, Writing 4.5+), leadership experience on CV, strong personal statement, and networking and making connections will make you a strong applicant for Orthodontic programs.
What applicants wish they knew when applying:
Apply to a lot of schools, because past applicants felt like they received interviews from schools they did not expect, and did not receive interviews from schools they expected to get interviews from. While GPA is important it is not everything, so do not be discouraged if you're not ranking in the top 10% of the class. Also be aware that applying to programs is very time consuming and expensive.
Some programs are part of the MATCH process, while others are non-MATCH. You may have to decide to commit to MATCH programs or non-Match because some programs do not allow you to apply to both.
When choosing programs to apply to and rank, 2 year programs or hospital-based programs are attractive because they are less expensive or may offer a stipend. These programs tend to be more competitive, however.
Why should you do Orthodontics?
If you like puzzles and aesthetics
Enjoying a slower pace work environment and not being on call
Long-term relationships with patients
Treating patients with craniofacial abnormalities
If you do not enjoy the operative or surgical aspects of dentistry
Why should you not do Orthodontics?
Additional expense
Multiple years of residency
If you have difficulty managing teenage patients and patient's parents
Narrower but more advanced scope of practice than a general dentist
Statistics of Accepted Applicants
Rank
Class of 2023: #1-67, avg 26
Class of 2022: #5-84, avg 35
Average GPA
Class of 2023: 3.67
Class of 2022: 3.50
Accepted Applicants
Class of 2023: 7/10 matched (70%)
Alumni Applied in 2023: 8/10 matched (80%)
Class of 2022: 6/7 matched (86%)
Alumni Applied in 2022: 1/8 matched (13%)
Class of 2021: 8/11 matched (73%)
Alumni Applied in 2021: 2/4 matched (50%)
Class of 2020: 11/11 matched (100%)
Alumni Applied in 2020: 2/4 matched (50%)
Class of 2019: 8/9 matched (89%)
Alumni Applied in 2019: 7/8 matched (88%)
Class of 2018: 6/8 matched (75%)
Alumni Applied in 2018: 1/6 matched (17%)
Recommended Minimum GRE Score
Quantitative Reasoning: 150+
Verbal Reasoning: 150+
Writing: 4.5+
Department Chair:
Dr. Heesoo Oh, DDS, PhD, MSD | hoh@pacific.edu
Ortho Study Club:
pacificorthostudyclub@gmail.com
UoP Alumni:
Byron Chou, DDS '19 | chou.byron@gmail.com | Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
Armita Fartash, DDS '19 | armita_fartash@yahoo.com | University of Colorado, Denver, CO
Allie Kawata, DDS '19 | allie.kawata@gmail.com | University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Alex Rauchle, DDS '19 | a.rauchle@gmail.com | Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
Stephen Casper, DDS '20 | stephenkasperg@gmail.com | UCSF, San Francisco, CA
Kyle Cuenin, DDS '20 | k_cuenin@u.pacific.edu | University of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA
Bianca Lau, DDS '20 | b_lau6@u.pacific.edu | University of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA
Aaron Schubel, DDS '20 | aschubel7@gmail.com | Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kurt Kim, DDS'21 | kurtkim97@gmail.com | Georgia School of Orthodontics, Atlanta, Georgia
Erinn Chang, DDS '23 | aka.erinn@gmail.com | Roseman University, Henderson, NV
Isaac Hinckley, DDS '23 | i_hinckley@u.pacific.edu | University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Hayden McKay, DDS '23 | hayden.l.mckay@gmail.com | Roseman University, Henderson, NV
Colin Montgomery, DDS '23 | c_montgomery4@u.pacific.edu | Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA
Hunter Pitts, DDS '23 | c_pitts@u.pacific.edu | Roseman University, Henderson, NV
Michael Ricupito, DDS '23 | mikericupito@gmail.com | UCSF, San Francisco, CA
Will Udall, DDS '23 | williamudall75@gmail.com | Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA
June Limb DDS'24 | h_limb1@u.pacific.edu | Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
Sophie DiPietro, DDS'24 | s_dipietro1@u.pacific.edu | University of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA
Tyler Starley DDS'24 | t_starley@u.pacific.edu | University of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA
Harrison Truman DDS'24 |h_truman@u.pacific.edu | University of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA
Robert Zhou DDS'24 | r_zhou5@u.pacific.edu | Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY