What’s the difference between Orthodontist and Orthodontics?

Dear APO:
“WITH EVERYONE PUTTING “ORTHODONTICS” BEHIND THEIR NAME, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORTHODONTIST AND ORTHODONTICS?”

All dentists can do orthodontics but ethically, not all dentists may call themselves orthodontists.  Orthodontics is the subject or specialty, an orthodontist is the specialist. It is like calling oneself Engineering instead of Engineer, Surgery instead of Surgeon, Law instead of Attorney.

All members of the Association of Philippine Orthodontists are either graduates from orthodontic graduate programs and/or preceptorship programs who completed the certifying examinations of the Philippine Board of Orthdontics.