Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Certificate Academics Information

The orthodontic residency program trains residents with a broad knowledge and understanding of dental research methodology, growth and development, diagnosis and treatment planning, biomechanics, craniofacial anomalies, interdisciplinary dentistry, surgical orthodontics and teaching.

The first year is composed primarily of small group seminars and lectures combined with clinical experience in preparing and initiating treatment of comprehensive orthodontic cases. The program begins in late June or early July with exposure to research methodology, introduction to orthodontic technique and clinical procedures. As the semester continues, the clinic is started and patients are assigned to each resident. The didactic portion continues in the fall with diagnosis and treatment planning and the biomedical core course. The spring semester begins with growth and development, biomechanics and continuation of the biomedical core course. Patient assignments throughout the program will be adjusted to guarantee that each resident has a diverse caseload.

The second year involves clinical rotations, seminars and teaching activities. Patient care continues throughout the second year. The residents gain academic experience through teaching in the pre-doctoral clinic and orthodontic lab/lecture course which runs the entire year. In the summer, didactics begin with surgical orthodontics and current topics discussion. The fall semester includes current topics and courses begin on craniofacial anomalies and interdisciplinary dentistry. The spring expands on current topics and interdisciplinary dentistry. At the end of summer, the residents are examined to determine how each individual is progressing in the program and to provide feedback.

The third year is focused on completion of treatment for the resident's patient population, research and exposure to practice management. At the end of the year the residents should be prepared to take the Phase II portion of the American Board of Orthodontics. The residents present case reviews, which allow in-depth review of treatment and outcomes provided to the patient population in the clinic. Practice management reviews and examines aspects of traditional private practice and other options available upon completion. Office visits to practitioners in the area allows for outside exposure to practices.