Department of Orthodontics

The Department of Orthodontics at Howard University College of Dentistry instructs our pre-doctoral dental and dental hygiene students, and postdoctoral residents in the didactic and clinical recognition and treatment of malocclusions. The department is proud to provide an opportunity for the best in orthodontic care at minimal costs to the surrounding communities.

The Postdoctoral Orthodontics program at Howard University College of Dentistry has been in existence since 1967 and has graduated more than 200 practicing orthodontists. The program in Orthodontics is a two year program beginning in July of each year with the fundamental goal to provide the postdoctoral resident with the necessary diagnostic and clinical skills to recognize, diagnose and treat malocclusions.  Our residents are exposed to a variety of orthodontic techniques utilizing various straight wire appliances. The program is designed to meet the requirements of the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association, the American Board of Orthodontics and the American Association of Orthodontists.

The curriculum is designed to present the theory and practice of orthodontic treatment encompassing the major systems of mechanotherapy.  Basic and related sciences fundamental to orthodontics are stressed and presented on a postdoctoral level. The emphasis in this program is placed on the total educational experience for the resident. Completed cases are presented in the American Board of Orthodontics format at the American Association of Orthodontists Annual Meeting.  Over the past 20 years, our senior residents have been encouraged to take the Phase II Written Examination, which is held just prior to this meeting.

Our residents are required to conduct an original research project, orally present it to faculty, administrators and peers, use a thesis format for completing the paper, and finally, edit the paper in publishable format.