A fourth-year orthodontic elective in an educational group practice

An educational group practice is described in which a fourth-year dental student actively observes and participates in orthodontic decision making and treatment delivery. The student takes part in patient treatment under the direct supervision of a second-year orthodontic resident. The residents reinforce the skills which the students learn in class and laboratory. In this way an effective learning experience results for both the resident and the fourth-year student. Students also attend patient care conferences, where treatment points of view and sequences are discussed. In this way, students have a first-hand glimpse of what a career in orthodontics might be like.