Use of the word Orthodontics

Question

Hi All,

A few of my fellow workers are debating the use of the word Orthodontics. We saw a website that said Mid South Orthodontics Specialists and I did not think that was the correct usuage. I have always used Orthodontic Specialists, without an "s" on Orthodontics. Can anyone please shed some light on this and explain why or why not either way is correct? I had assumed in this context that Orthodontic was an Adjective used to Describe the type of Specialists and so would not use the "s."

Thanks in Advance,
Chris

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
A few of my fellow workers are debating the use of the word Orthodontics. We saw a website that said Mid South Orthodontics Specialists and I did not think that was the correct usuage. I have always used Orthodontic Specialists, without an "s" on Orthodontics. Can anyone please shed some light on this and explain why or why not either way is correct? I had assumed in this context that Orthodontic was an Adjective used to Describe the type of Specialists and so would not use the "s."

My dictionary has
orthodontic - adjective
orthodontics - noun plural (treated as singular)

I'd certainly read 'orthodontic specialist' as the adjective form. It sounds fine to me.

To me, 'orthodontics specialist', ie the noun form, doesn't sound odd either. After all, we say 'brain surgeon', and there seems to be no singular noun 'orthodontic' available for use.

I think that to a large extent it comes down to the question of 'What is standard practice in the profession?'

A quick and rough Google search gives these results.
4,400 for "orthodontics specialists".
55,100 for "orthodontic specialists".

Another way to look at this would be to consider the usage of similar words, like 'orthopaedics'. I think we say 'an orthopaedic surgeon' rather than 'an orthopaedics surgeon', don't we?

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

As far as the industry perspective, Orthodontic Specialists is more correct. As in, "Where should I get braces?" "At Austin's Orthodontic Specialists, they straightened my teeth." Plural usage of Orthodontics is mostly used when addressing the entire medical field of orthodontia.

Hope this helps,

Jason

Anonymous · Answer

i think the word https://plus.google.com/+360OrthodonticsLosAngeles/posts is better than the all other words . So its orthodontist not orthodontics . You can use the word in this way that is correct .

Fivejedjon · Answer

Ortodontist is not correct in the context we are talking about.

Use of the word Orthodontics

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