Due to the increase in the number of orthodontists and Graduate Programs, this study was outlined aiming to the future of our Speciality. Questionaires were sent to 413 students and 130 teachers in 42 Graduate Programs. Respondents achieved 57.53%. The sample included respondents from several areas in Brazil. The average age of the students was 30.8 and the teachers' 42,8. The average index suggested by the Health World Organization is 1 dentist for each 1.500 habitants. Brazil has a population of 175 millions people and has 175 thousand dentists, one for each 996 inhabitants. This proportion in England is 1/2.000, in France 1/1.519, in Italy 1/1.333. With a populacion 40% smaller and income 82% smaller than the USA, Brazil holds almost three times the amount of Orthodontic Courses (124, 2001), graduating 344 ortodontists/ year. Considering the 175.637 dentists, the specialists number still is little in Brazil. Among orthodontists, 58.5% consider the professional market satureted due to non official courses (85,1%) and to the competition with general practioners (63,4%). Besides, 88,3% of the orthodontists would favor rules to inhibit irregular courses. The increase of their incomes comes from the general practice by the students (58,2%) while 73,3% of the teachers raise their income through teaching activities. The fees are considered insuficient by 44.85% of the orthodontists and satisfactory by 47.3% of them. Nowadays, 66.9% of these specialists would not encourage their children to study Dentristy. The main referral source comes from patients (89.3%). Another rmarkable issue is that intermediate and final records have not being taken by 82.8% of the orthodontists.
Brazilian orthodontists; Professional market; Office management
