Orthodontists have a unique job that requires a special set of skills. From placing and adjusting braces to teaching patients how to brush and floss with braces on, orthodontists have a lot to do in a day. Reid Tainer, also known as “The Fixer”, starts his day at All Smiles Dental day spa at 7 in the morning in his Spider-Man uniform. He spends the morning reviewing patient records, returning calls, and managing business obligations.
At 4:00 p.m., the office comes alive during rush hour. Reid quickly goes from one patient to the next, tightening cables, talking to patients, and making sure that everyone's mouth is working properly. It takes good hand-eye coordination and a lot of endurance to be able to care for so many patients in just one hour. Around 11 in the morning, Reid has a moment of calm when he usually reviews his treatment notes and x-rays, responds to his emails, and contacts the dentists whose offices he shares.
Since he's only in the office on Tuesdays and Fridays, Reid sees about ten patients in one hour during “prime time” before and after school. Initial visits and those where braces are put on or removed for the first time can take a while and are usually scheduled after lunchtime. Orthodontists' and dentists' schedules are adjusted to holidays, vacations, events, and personal or staff scheduling needs. There are several different types of appointments when you visit us, so depending on the calendar of the days, there may be more of some types of appointments than others and, therefore, every day is different. Putting on braces is an event for anyone, and children generally enjoy special care and treatment, as well as having the day off from school. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some dentists also work in the evenings and on weekends, in addition to daytime hours, or exclusively, to offer alternative hours to patients that they cannot schedule at any other time due to work, other obligations or unexpected events.
