Last reviewed: April 2026 · Based on current clinical protocols at DenCos, Hoofddorp
What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist for orthodontics?
An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed an additional 3–4 year full-time university specialisation devoted entirely to the alignment of teeth, jaw growth, and bite function. A "dentist for orthodontics" (tandarts voor orthodontie) is a general dentist who has taken short courses in brace treatment but has not completed this specialist training. Both may legally perform orthodontic treatment in the Netherlands — but the depth of expertise is fundamentally different.
At DenCos Ortho Paro in Hoofddorp, orthodontic treatment is provided by Dr. Jing Guo — a registered specialist orthodontist (BIG 19918762902, PhD 2011) and one of only five certified Invisalign mentors in the Netherlands. This article explains the key differences between an orthodontist and a dentist, how to verify your specialist's registration, and why DenCos combines orthodontics and periodontology under one roof for complex cases.
How does an orthodontist's training differ from a dentist's?
An orthodontist in the Netherlands first completes the same 6-year dental degree as any dentist. After graduation, only about 10 candidates per year are admitted to the specialist training programme at one of three university centres: ACTA in Amsterdam, Radboudumc in Nijmegen, or UMCG in Groningen. The specialisation lasts 3–4 years and is entirely full-time, covering advanced diagnostics, biomechanics, jaw growth, and complex case management.
By contrast, a dentist for orthodontics has typically attended short post-graduate courses — ranging from a few weekends to several months — alongside regular dental practice. These courses do not lead to specialist registration and are not equivalent to the university programme.
Dr. Jing Guo completed her dental degree in 2006, followed by a five-year full-time specialisation with a Master's and Doctoral degree. She was awarded her PhD in 2011 for research on secondary bone grafting in children with cleft palate, representing over 10 years of university-level training in total.
A registered orthodontist has at least 9–10 years of university training — roughly double the continuing education a general dentist takes through short courses.
Why is the title "orthodontist" protected in the Netherlands?
The title "orthodontist" is legally protected under Dutch healthcare law. Only a dentist who has completed the recognised university specialisation and is registered in the BIG-register may use it. This means titles such as "ortho", "orthodontoloog", "beugelspecialist", or "orthodontisch specialist" are not permitted — they are misleading. The NVvO (Dutch Association of Orthodontists) actively advises patients to verify their practitioner's credentials.
In the BIG-register, a registered orthodontist appears with the profession tandarts (dentist) and the specialisation Dento-maxillaire Orthopaedie. You can verify Dr. Guo's registration directly: BIG 19918762902.
At DenCos, patients can trust that their treatment is planned and supervised by a registered specialist who is also a member of the NVvO, the AAO (American Association of Orthodontists), the EOS, and the EAS.
Is an orthodontist more expensive than a dentist?
No. In the Netherlands, orthodontists and dentists for orthodontics charge the same legally regulated tariffs for orthodontic treatment, as confirmed by the NVvO. You receive specialist-level diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up care — at no extra cost compared to a general dentist.
At DenCos, Dr. Guo holds Invisalign Diamond Apex Status (top 1% of providers in Europe by case volume). This high treatment volume allows the practice to offer Invisalign at competitive rates without compromising on specialist quality. For patients under 18, orthodontic treatment is partially covered by Dutch basic health insurance.
You pay the same regulated tariff whether you choose an orthodontist or a dentist for orthodontics — but at an orthodontist, the treatment is based on a specialist diagnosis.
Why does having an orthodontist and periodontist under one roof matter?
Adult orthodontic patients often present with more than just misaligned teeth. Gum disease, bone loss, missing teeth, and the need for implants frequently complicate treatment. Research published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics confirms that multidisciplinary management — combining periodontics, orthodontics, and restorative dentistry — leads to better outcomes in complex adult cases.
At DenCos in Hoofddorp, orthodontist Dr. Jing Guo and periodontist Dr. Gang Wu practise under one roof. Dr. Wu is a registered specialist periodontist and implantologist (BIG 29918905102) with a PhD from ACTA Amsterdam and over 180 international peer-reviewed publications on biomaterials and tissue regeneration. This means:
- Gum treatment before orthodontics — active gum disease must be stabilised before teeth can be safely moved
- Bone grafting alongside orthodontics — Dr. Wu performs PAOO (accelerated orthodontics) procedures that combine bone grafting with tooth movement
- Implant planning during orthodontic treatment — spaces for future implants can be created and preserved during orthodontic alignment
- No external referrals needed — the orthodontist and periodontist consult directly, shortening treatment time and improving coordination
This interdisciplinary approach is especially valuable for patients from Hoofddorp, Haarlemmermeer, Haarlem, Amsterdam, and surrounding areas who would otherwise need to visit multiple practices.
When your orthodontist and periodontist share the same practice, complex treatment becomes simpler — one location, one coordinated plan.
How can you verify whether your practitioner is a registered orthodontist?
The Dutch BIG-register is a public database maintained by the CIBG (part of the Ministry of Health). Any patient can look up a healthcare provider for free:
- Go to zoeken.bigregister.nl
- Search by name or BIG number
- Check that the specialisation listed is Dento-maxillaire Orthopaedie
If no specialisation is listed, the practitioner is a general dentist — not a specialist orthodontist. The Rijksoverheid (Dutch government) also recommends checking the BIG-register before starting any specialist treatment.
Dr. Jing Guo's BIG registration number is 19918762902. You are welcome to verify it.
What should you consider when choosing between an orthodontist and a dentist?
When deciding who should treat your teeth — or your child's teeth — consider these differences:
| Registered orthodontist | Dentist for orthodontics | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | 6-year dental degree + 3–4 year specialist programme | 6-year dental degree + short courses |
| Protected title | Yes — "orthodontist" is legally protected | No — may not use the title "orthodontist" |
| BIG specialisation | Dento-maxillaire Orthopaedie | None |
| Continuing education | Mandatory annual specialist training | Not mandatory for orthodontic skills |
| NVvO membership | Eligible | Not eligible |
| Tariffs | Legally regulated | Same legally regulated tariffs |
| Complex cases | Full training in jaw growth, biomechanics, surgical cases | Limited to scope of courses taken |
Convenience and location may play a role, but for anything beyond simple alignment, a registered specialist offers a fundamentally deeper level of diagnosis and treatment planning.
At DenCos, Dr. Guo treats both routine and complex cases — from children's early intervention to adult Invisalign and multidisciplinary cases involving Dr. Wu's periodontal expertise. Read more about the orthodontic treatment journey or browse our frequently asked questions.
Next step
Want specialist orthodontic care from a registered orthodontist? Book a consultation at DenCos in Hoofddorp — no referral needed. You can also call us at 023-792 0463 or visit our contact page.