Craniofacial & Special Care Orthodontics Fellowship
A post-residency, CODA‑accredited program providing advanced training in the orthodontic management of craniofacial anomalies (e.g., cleft lip/palate, syndromic conditions) and medically complex patients within multidisciplinary teams.
Specialty Overview
Scope & Practice
Fellows treat complex craniofacial and special‑needs orthodontic cases, participate in interdisciplinary surgical and restorative planning, and manage pre‑surgical orthopedics and post‑surgical orthodontics.
Common Procedures:
- Cleft lip/palate infant orthopedics (incl. NAM)
- Syndromic craniofacial orthodontics
- Orthognathic surgical preparation
- Distraction osteogenesis appliances
- Craniofacial team case conferences
- 3D imaging (CBCT) treatment planning
- Fabrication and application of surgical splints
Professional Roles
Craniofacial & Special Care Orthodontics Fellowship specialists can pursue various career paths within the specialty, often combining multiple roles:
- Hospital‑based Craniofacial Team Orthodontist: Work within multidisciplinary teams in children’s hospitals.
- Academic/Research: Engage in clinical research and teaching in university centers.
- Special Needs Orthodontist: Provide care for medically complex or syndromic patients.
Clinical Settings
Craniofacial & Special Care Orthodontics Fellowship specialists practice in diverse environments:
- Children’s hospital craniofacial centers
- University dental/medical hospital affiliates
- Interdisciplinary craniofacial surgery clinics
Specialty Outlook
The craniofacial & special care orthodontics fellowship profession continues to evolve with technological advances and shifting demographics:
- Increasing integration of 3D planning and digital workflows
- High demand in regional craniofacial centers
- Rising emphasis on multidisciplinary patient outcomes
Digital Innovation
Craniofacial & Special Care Orthodontics Fellowship is increasingly driven by cutting-edge digital technologies transforming patient care:
- Cone-beam 3D imaging in treatment planning
- CAD/CAM surgical splints
- Digital simulation for presurgical orthopedics
Patient Experience
Modern craniofacial & special care orthodontics fellowship emphasizes patient comfort and convenience through various approaches:
- Comprehensive, team-based care over long-term follow-up
- Exposure to high-complexity cases from infancy to adulthood
Student Journey Roadmap
Complete Orthodontic Residency
Apply to Fellowship
Geographic Program Map
Competitiveness Level
Application Requirements
Academic Prerequisites
- Degree Required: DDS/DMD + CODA‑accredited orthodontic certificate
- Minimum GPA: 3.3
- Average Accepted GPA: 3.5+
- Core Courses: Orthodontics, craniofacial growth/development
- Research Experience: At least 1 clinical/research presentation
Standardized Tests
- NBDE: NBDE I & II or INBDE (passed)
- TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international applicants
Letters of Recommendation
- Number Required: 2–3
- Types:
- • Orthodontic residency director
- • Craniofacial faculty or team surgeon
- • Research mentor
- Emphasis: Clinical team competency and research potential
Research Experience
- Participation in orthodontic/craniofacial research
- Presentation of cases or papers preferred
Clinical Experience
- Cleft/craniofacial patient management
- Evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration
- Exposure to orthognathic/distraction osteogenesis cases
Application Components
- PASS application or direct hospital fellowship forms
- Transcripts and licensure verification
- CV, personal statement
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Proof of orthodontic certification
Competitive Profile
- Target GPA: 3.5+
- Target GRE Verbal:
- Target GRE Quantitative:
- Research Publications: 1+ preferred
- Shadowing Hours:
- Extracurriculars: Teamwork in craniofacial settings
Application Deadlines & Timeline
Application Opens
PASS or hospital fellowship applications typically open
Application Deadline
Most fellowships close early to mid-September
Second Cycle Deadline
Some programs (Case, Cleveland) accept Jan starts
Set Reminders
Get notified about upcoming deadlines
Download Timeline
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Competitiveness Overview
Understanding the competitive landscape for this specialty
Applicant to Seat Ratio
2–4:1
Average GPA
3.5+
Program Duration
12
Average Tuition
$0–$6K (usually stipend-supported)
Starting Salary
$72K–$75K
Tips for Success
- Solid Academics: Maintain a GPA of 3.5+ and good DAT scores
- Research Involvement: Participate in research activities
- Clinical Experience: Shadow specialists in the field
- Extracurriculars: Be involved in dental organizations
- Strong Application: Write compelling personal statements
Curriculum & Training
Program Structure
Duration
12 months
Weekly Schedule
Full‑time clinical + didactic + research
Research Requirements
One clinical project with expectation of publication/presentation
Degrees Awarded
- Certificate
Clinical Training
- Infant presurgical orthopedics
- Comprehensive orthodontics for cleft / syndromic cases
- Surgical splint fabrication/planning
- Orthognathic post‑surgical orthodontics
- Distraction osteogenesis adjunctive treatment
Didactic Education
- Weekly craniofacial grand rounds
- Case conferences with surgery, ENT, genetics, speech
- Literature seminars on craniofacial topics
- Imaging and biomechanics workshops
Research Activities
- Clinical treatment outcome studies
- Case series or cohort analysis
- Encouragement to present at national meetings
Financial Information
Total Program Cost
Programs with Stipends
Living Expenses
Starting Salary
Culture & Lifestyle
Work-Life Balance
High-intensity, full-time 1‑year program with limited vacation (3–4 weeks)
Career Satisfaction
High satisfaction due to advanced referral and team‑based care
Practice Environment
Structured hospital and academic team settings
Physical Demands
Moderate – involves lab/splint fabrication and clinical time
Day-in-the-Life
Team Case Conference
Discuss morning surgical and orthodontic cases with craniofacial team
Clinical Session
Patient exams, appliance activation, infant molding
Lunch & Didactic Lecture
Craniofacial grand rounds or journal seminar
Lab / Splint Fabrication
CAD/CAM or model‑based surgical splint prep
Research & Documentation
Clinical data collection or research write‑up
Wrap‑up
Review patient plans, update logs
Career Perspective
Fellow Perspective
“This fellowship immersed me in surgical planning, 3D splint design, and team‑based case conferences weekly.”
“Weekly grand rounds with surgeons, speech, genetics was invaluable.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the fellowship?
All accredited craniofacial orthodontic fellowships are 12 months in duration.
Is there a stipend?
Yes, fellows receive a PGY‑4 level stipend (about $72K–$75K); tuition is minimal or none.
How competitive is it?
Typically 3–4 applicants per position; overall match rate around 40–50%.