How Much Do Orthodontists Earn?

Learn how much orthodontists earn in the UK, what training is required, qualifications, job pros and cons, and top dental clinics to work for.

How Much Do Orthodontists Earn? Salary, Training & Career Guide

Orthodontists are dental specialists who correct misaligned teeth and jaws using braces, retainers, and other appliances. Their work improves both appearance and oral health, making it one of the most in-demand and highest-paying specialities in dentistry.

This guide explains how much orthodontists earn in the UK, what training is needed, qualifications, job structure, and the top employers in the field.

Job Description: What Do Orthodontists Do?

Orthodontists diagnose and treat irregularities in teeth and jaws. They plan, apply and monitor orthodontic treatments for children and adults using braces, aligners, and other corrective devices.

Responsibilities include:

  • Assessing dental and jaw alignment using X-rays and scans

  • Developing personalised treatment plans

  • Fitting and adjusting braces, aligners or retainers

  • Monitoring progress over months or years

  • Educating patients on oral hygiene and brace care

  • Referring patients to oral surgeons or general dentists if needed

  • Managing post-treatment retention and follow-up care

Orthodontists often work in NHS hospitals, private clinics, or own their own practices.

How Hard Is It to Become an Orthodontist?

Becoming an orthodontist in the UK is academically challenging and time-intensive. You’ll need a dentistry degree, professional registration, and 3+ years of specialist orthodontic training. Expect a total of 10–12 years from start to finish.

Traits and Characteristics You Need

  • Precision and dexterity – working in small, delicate areas

  • Good communication, especially with young patients and anxious clients

  • Patience and focus, since treatments are long-term

  • Strong problem-solving and planning

  • Visual-spatial awareness for dental alignment

  • Empathy and professionalism

Do You Need Qualifications?

Yes. The process is strictly regulated and requires several steps.

Path to becoming an orthodontist:

  1. Undergraduate Dentistry Degree (BDS / BChD) – 5 years

  2. 1–2 years postgrad dental experience (DFT/DCT)

  3. 3-year specialist training programme in Orthodontics (hospital-based)

  4. Membership in Orthodontics (MOrth) exam – awarded by the Royal College

  5. GDC Specialist Register – to practise as an orthodontist

→ Total time: 10–12 years

Only dentists on the GDC Specialist Register can legally call themselves an orthodontist in the UK.

Career Levels and Specialisations

Dental Student - 5 years of university training

Foundation Dentist (DFT) - Year 1 of postgrad work

Dental Core Trainee (DCT) - Specialist experience

Orthodontic Trainee - 3-year accredited programme

Qualified Orthodontist - On GDC register, works independently

Consultant Orthodontist - Senior NHS or academic role

Private Practice Owner - Owns/partners in a clinic

Specialisations within orthodontics:

  • Paediatric orthodontics

  • Surgical orthodontics (orthognathic)

  • Clear aligner systems (Invisalign etc.)

  • Lingual or hidden braces

  • Interceptive treatment (early intervention in young patients)

What Experience Do You Need?

  • Strong academic grades (especially in sciences)

  • Completion of dental training and general practice experience

  • Hospital dentistry or oral surgery experience preferred before specialising

  • Acceptance into a competitive 3-year orthodontics programme

  • Hands-on experience with fixed and removable appliances

  • Continuous CPD (continuing professional development)

Benefits of Being an Orthodontist

  • High income and strong private earning potential

  • Regular working hours (less on-call than general dentists or surgeons)

  • High job satisfaction – long-term patient transformations

  • Low physical strain compared to other dental roles

  • Can open own practice

  • Niche and respected specialism

  • Opportunities to teach, research or consult

Drawbacks and Negatives

  • Very long training path (10+ years)

  • Expensive education, including postgraduate study

  • Competitive entry into specialist programmes

  • Complex cases require high focus

  • Repetitive procedures may not appeal to all

  • Pressure from patient expectations, especially in cosmetic work

  • High responsibility – mistakes can be costly or permanent

Orthodontist Salary Levels in the UK

Orthodontic Trainee - £38,000 – £48,000

NHS Orthodontist - £60,000 – £95,000

Private Orthodontist - £90,000 – £200,000+

Consultant (NHS hospital) - £88,364 – £119,133

Practice Owner - £150,000 – £300,000+

Tax Example:

An orthodontist earning £120,000/year would pay:

  • Income Tax: ~£37,432

  • National Insurance: ~£5,732

  • Take-home pay: ~£76,800/year or £1,477/week

Private orthodontists can manage tax through business deductions (lab costs, rent, staff salaries, CPD, etc.).

What Factors Affect Salary?

  • NHS vs private practice

  • Location – private practices in affluent areas charge more

  • Experience and clinical reputation

  • Type of treatments offered (clear aligners, early treatment)

  • Business ownership

  • Volume of patients and efficiency

  • Marketing and branding in private clinics

What’s the Future for Orthodontists?

Demand is strong and growing, due to:

  • Cosmetic dentistry trends

  • Increased adult orthodontic demand (clear aligners)

  • Digital scanning and 3D printing improving workflows

  • Teledentistry and remote monitoring systems

  • Population growth and oral health awareness

Technology is shifting the role, but expert planning, diagnosis, and human skill remain essential.

Best Companies and Clinics for Orthodontists in the UK

Bupa Dental Care - NHS & private mix, benefits + growth

Total Orthodontics - Part of the Bupa Group, focus on braces

MyOrthodontist - NHS and private clinics

Smiles Orthodontics - Private, high-tech treatments

Dental Partners - Chain of dental/ortho practices

Portman Dental Care - Private-led, premium ortho clinics

Specialist orthodontic practices - Often offer partnership routes

NHS Foundation Trusts - Hospital-based consultant roles

Final Thought

Orthodontics is a specialised, high-earning branch of dentistry that requires a long-term commitment to education and clinical precision. It’s ideal for those who want to make a visible, life-changing difference in patients' lives—while building a financially secure and respected career.

Want help comparing ortho training paths, building a timeline, or mapping your earnings? Just ask—I can break it down.