Canadian Association of Orthodontists
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Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question pertaining to Orthodontics, please read the Frequently Asked Questions and their answers below. The list summarizes the main questions that CAO typically receives in five subject categories:

  1. I want to be an orthodontist
  2. Becoming a CAO Member
  3. Orthodontic Statistics
  4. Orthodontist outside of Canada wishing to practise in Canada
  5. Orthodontists with Differences of Opinion
  6. Why a difference in price?

If none of the FAQs answers your question, please ask an Orthodontist.

 

1. I want to be an orthodontist.

Question:
I am 14 years old and I am interested in becoming an orthodontist when I am older. If you could E-Mail me any information about what subjects I should start to focus on and which schools to consider.

Answer:
Before you can be accepted by a school for orthodontic training, you need to have received a dental degree. In Canada, this is either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD). The question then becomes, what are the requirements for acceptance into Dental School? The contact information for some Canadian dental schools follows. They can be contacted to obtain the most recent requirements for entry.

Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia
604-822-8279
www.dentistry.ubc.ca

Admissions Office, University of Alberta
2-45 Medical Sciences Building
Edmonton, AB
780-492-6350
www.dent.ualberta.ca

College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan
306-966-5117
www.usask.ca/dentistry

Faculty of Dentistry, University of Manitoba
204-789-3631
www.umanitoba.ca/dentistry

Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto
416-979-4901 ext. 4373
www.utoronto.ca/dentistry

University of Western Ontario, School of Dentistry
519-661-4074
http://dentistry.uwo.ca

McGill University, Dentistry Building
514-398-7227
www.mcgill.ca/dentistry

University of Montreal, Admissions
514-343-7076
www.medent.umontreal.ca

Université Laval, Faculte de Medecine Dentaire
418-656-2247
www.ulaval.ca/fmd

Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University
902-494-2824
www.dentistry.dal.ca

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2. Becoming a CAO Member

Question:
How do I become a CAO member?

Answer:
To join CAO, simply download our printable Membership Application Form (PDF), and mail or fax your completed Application to the address indicated on the form.
 

Viewing and printing PDF documents requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If Acrobat Reader is not installed on your computer system, you can download it at no cost by clicking here:

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3. Orthodontic Statistics

Question:
I am doing a project on Orthodontics as a career. Can you please give me as much information and statistics as possible.

Answer:
The Canadian Association of Orthodontists does not keep that type of information. Other sources you can try are, the American Orthodontic Association (www.braces.org), the American Dental Association (www.ada.org) or the Canadian Dental Association (www.cda-adc.ca). Links to all of these associations and others can be found in the LINKS section of our website.

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4. Orthodontist outside of Canada wishing to practise in Canada

Question:
I am an Orthodontist in Ireland. I will be moving to Canada and would like to know what are the requirements to validate my education and degrees.

Answer:
In Canada health is a provincial matter. If you contact the provincial regulatory body in the province where you wish to practise, they can advise you as to their requirements. Below is a list of the regulatory bodies for each province.

Dental Regulatory Authorities
Provincial Dental Board Of Nova Scotia
Phone 902-492-0301
E-Mail: pdbs@hfx.eastlink.ca

Manitoba Dental Association
Phone 204-453-0055
E-Mail: mlasko@mb.sympatico.ca

College Of Dental Surgeons Of British Columbia
Phone 604-736-3621
E-Mail: Postmaster@cdsbc.org

Royal College Of Dental Surgeons Of Ontario
Phone 416-961-6555

Dental Council Of Prince Edward Island
Phone 902-628-8088

Newfoundland Dental Board
Phone 709-579-2391
Email: nldb@nf.aibn.com

The Alberta Dental Association
Phone 780-432-1012
E-Mail: cindyada@telusplanet.net
Website: www.abda.ab.ca

College Of Dental Surgeons Of Saskatchewan
Phone 306-244-5072

L'Ordres Des Dentistes Du Quebec
Phone 514-875-8511
Website: www.odq.qc.ca

New Brunswick Dental Society
Phone 506-452-8575
E-Mail: nbds@nb.albn.com

Professional Licencing, Government Of N.W.T. Health & Social Services
Phone 867-920-8058

Consumer and Commercial Services (Yukon)
Phone 867-667-5111

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5. Orthodontists with Differences of Opinion

Question:
The first orthodontist we visited recommended the removal of four teeth and braces to align our son's teeth. Our friend recommended we visit her orthodontist for another opinion. The second opinion was to place braces and align the teeth with no extractions. How do I determine who is right?

Answer:
The first step in making your choice is to define your goals. For example, do you want to change your son's profile? Both of the above treatments would affect his profile differently. Discussing your goals with the orthodontist could help to determine which treatment is best.

A second step would be to simply seek a third opinion. As you get more information, you may find it easier to decide on how best to proceed. As well, you may wish to discuss your options with your family dentist.

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6. Why a difference in price?

Question:
I have visited an orthodontist in Ottawa and they quoted a fee for braces to fix my top and bottom teeth. My friend in Sudbury is getting the same treatment and is paying $400 less. Why is there a difference? What is the average price for braces? Is this covered by my provincal health plan, OHIP?

Answer:
The cost for orthodontic treatment is determined by several factors. Some of the things considered are; the nature and severity of your problem, complicating factors such as gum problems and missing teeth. Although you and your friend are receiving upper and lower braces, they can be used to treat a variety of different problems, some much more complicated than others.

Each office may charge a fee that they determine is appropriate for correcting your problems. Our association does not survey its members offices so we cannot provide an estimate of average fees.

Provincial health plans in Canada do not cover dental treatment. Many private plans do provide some form of orthodontic coverage. If you have this type of insurance, be sure to mention it at you first visit to ensure you receive your coverage.

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This web site is to provide information so that the public can make an informed decision with respect to orthodontic treatment. It is not intended to be used to represent or endorse a particular treatment method. Neither the CAO organization nor its officers are in any way liable for any orthodontic treatment rendered.
It is the individual's responsibility to use due diligence to select an orthodontist of their choice.

The examples of treatments shown are only representative of treatment possibilities and individual results will vary. Any similarities to treatments rendered to the reader are purely coincidental. Do not attempt to diagnose an orthodontic problem from the information presented.

Any duplication of the information contained is strictly prohibited. All patients have consented for photos to be shown for demonstration purposes.

If you have any questions, contact us by calling (416) 491-3186 or e-mail at cao@taylorenterprises.com.

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