The UNLV School of Dental Medicine launched its advanced education program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics this fall. Clinical experience is an important component of the curriculum, so UNLV has opened a new orthodontic clinic to provide such opportunities for the resident dentists who are students of the program. During its first year of operation, UNLV seeks to treat up to 800 patients, providing low-cost orthodontia and dentofacial care with its primary focus on uninsured and underserved populations who could otherwise not afford such care. The new clinic opened its doors just as the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) marks its 10 th annual National Orthodontic Health Month (October), a nationwide awareness initiative.
The advanced education program will integrate biomedical sciences, clinical sciences and professional studies to provide a unique opportunity for dentists to earn a certificate in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. UNLV admitted 16 students for the inaugural class, who began their 24-month residency in August. The UNLV School of Dental Medicine is the only dental school in the State of Nevada .
"This program is designed to offer advanced dental students a broad spectrum of didactic, clinical, research, and teaching experience in the field of orthodontics," said Dr. Lynn Hurst, associate dean for advanced dental education and the director of the new program.
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The technical term for these problems is "malocclusion," which means "bad bite." The practice of orthodontics requires professional skill in the design, application and control of corrective appliances, such as braces, to bring teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment and to achieve facial balance.
"A healthy, beautiful smile is the most obvious result of orthodontic treatment, but there's so much more to our specialty than meets the eye," points out Dr. Hurst. "Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain- this may contribute to conditions that cause not only tooth decay but also eventual gum disease and tooth loss."
Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints, which can result in chronic headaches or pain in the face or neck.
When left untreated, many orthodontic problems become worse. Treatment by an orthodontic specialist to correct the original problem is often less costly than the additional dental care required to treat more serious problems that can develop in later years. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children get a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7 to identify any developing problems in their earliest stages.
The UNLV Orthodontic Clinic is now seeking children, adolescent and adult patients. People who are interested in being screened for potential treatment at the can make an appointment by calling (702) 774-2690 .
The new clinic is currently housed in the existing School of Dental Medicine building at UNLV's Shadow Lane campus. However, the UNLV School of Dental Medicine is planning to build a new 50,000 square-foot facility on the campus. The facility, expected to break ground early next year, will provide space for administration, faculty, clinical operations, and future advanced dental education programs.
