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I’m an Orthodontist

April 2025
Dr. Brent Frey as told to Chava Pearl Lansky | Illustrations by Rafael Alvarez

Courtesy of Dr. Brent Frey

Dr. Brent Frey

Unlike many kids who may fear going to the dentist, Brent Frey looked forward to dental checkups as a kid. He especially liked when he got to assist by handing the dentist tools or looking at X-rays. When he was a teen, he visited an orthodontist. He realized that was what he wanted to be when he grew up. An orthodontist is a specialized dentist who use tools like braces, retainers, and palate expanders to adjust people’s teeth and jaws. Orthodontists help improve their patients’ ability to speak and chew. Their work can prevent serious health issues later in life. Now Brent runs his own orthodontics practice. Here’s more about Brent’s career path.

When I was 14, I went to the orthodontist’s office with my brother. I was very interested in how the orthodontist did his exam. Watching him bend wires and work with tools fascinated me.

My Uncle Ronnie is a dentist. He explained the education and training I’d need to become an orthodontist. It meant a lot more school, but I knew it was the job for me!

In dental school and residency, some of our education was in the classroom, and some was in the lab. At first, we learned how to do different procedures on fake teeth.

Today I own my own orthodontics practice. I have eight employees. I have to pay bills, manage inventory, and make sure we take the best possible care of our patients.

I care for both children and adults. My favorite part of my job is helping my patients stay positive, even when their treatments are long or uncomfortable. 

Dr. Frey’s Tips for Becoming an Orthodontist

1. Ask a local orthodontist if you can shadow them, and check out summer programs for high schoolers interested in dentistry.

2. Attend a four-year college. While there’s no required major to become an orthodontist, most study chemistry or biology.

3. After college, go to dental school, then do a special training called a residency in orthodontics.

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