Loma Linda University
Center for Orthodontics
The goals of the Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics are designed to prepare clinicians for a specialty practice in orthodontics and/or career in dental education. The content of the program conforms to the standards established by the specialty board.
Goal 1: Residents will have course work in biomedical sciences that is intended to provide the knowledge required to practice orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics by our proficiency standard.
Goal 2: Residents will have a clinical experience that is varied and demanding that will prepare them for the clinical practice of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics with emphasis in bioprogressive principles.
Goal 3: The residents must perform research with the intent of providing the resident an experience involving problem solving, critical thinking, research methodology, and scientific writing.
Goal 4: Residents will be exposed to and participate in a teaching experience.
Goal 5: Residents will be exposed to professional venues that encourage continued professional growth.
If you are interested in applying for admission to the Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, please visit their web site.
Program Director
V. Leroy Leggitt, DDS, PhD, MS - Professor of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Faculty
Joseph M. Caruso, DDS, MS, MPh
(Associate Dean, Strategic Initiatives and Faculty Practices, Chair)
J. Milford Anholm, DDS
G. William Arnett, DDS, FACD
Ivan Dus, MD
James R. Farrage, DDS
Michael J Fillman, DDS, MS, MPh
Gabriela Garcia, DDS, MS
Duane C. Grummons, DDS, MSD
James J. Hilgers, DDS, MS
Roland D. Neufeld, DDS, MS
R. David Rynearson, DDS, MS
Kitchai Rungcharassaeng, DDS, MS
Residents
First Year Second Year
Dr. Emily Caskey Dr. Melissa Bailey
Dr. Andrew Corbett Dr. Andrew Ferris
Dr. Jeffrey Lam Dr. Allison Milliner
Dr. Grace Lee Dr. Ryan Rudd
Dr. Jessica Moretz Dr. Tamar Sardarian
Dr. Christopher Wood Dr. Jelson Yalung
If you are interested in becoming a patient at the
Loma Linda University School of Dentistry Graduate Orthodontic Clinic, please contact us at
(909) 558-4616 to make an appointment. Here is a brief summary of what to expect during your first few visits:
Step 1: Screening Appointment - At this appointment, one of our clinical Faculty or Residents will be able to identify whether your treatment needs would be best served by the Resident Clinic or the Faculty Dental Practice clinic. The doctor will record some initial treatment findings, determine the type of treatment recommended and determine the correlating treatment fee. Our patient coordinators will review the treatment fee, review the payment options for our clinic, and help guide the patient through the process of starting treatment.
Step 2: Enrollment Appointment - This appointment is with the dental assistants for records gathering (x-rays, impressions, diagnostic photographs, etc.). Please expect approximately 60-75 minutes for this appointment. This appointment can be completed the same day as the screening appointment pending availability of the schedule. At this appointment, the patient is also assigned to their treatment day, the attending Faculty, and the training Resident doctor. The responsible party must attend this appointment in order to sign the financial contract.
Step 3: Initial Exam Appointment - This appointment is approximately one hour. The patient will meet her/her doctor who will conduct the initial exam. The doctor will discuss with the patient chief concerns for treatment.
Step 4: Case Presentation Appointment - This appointment is approximately one hour. The doctor will present to the patient the treatment plan. The doctor will also explain the importance of maintaining excellent oral hygiene during treatment and compliance needed in order to achieve optimum treatment results. The patient and legal guardian must be present in order to sign the informed consent for treatment. If the patient is cleared to begin treatment, then separators are typically placed which make room between the teeth for braces or an appliance.
Step 5: Banding/Bonding or Impress/Fit for an Appliance Appointment - If the treatment plan begins with placing braces, the patient is typically scheduled two weeks after the case presentation for a Banding/Bonding appointment. Please plan for approximately 2 hours for this appointment.
If the first step in the treatment plan is appliance placement, the patient is typically set up for a 60-minute appointment for Impressing & Fitting for an appliance. Approximately two weeks later, another 60-minute follow-up Appliance Delivery appointment is scheduled. Depending on the treatment plan, braces may or may not be placed in conjunction with an appliance.
Once braces and/or appliance are placed, the patient is typically scheduled every 4-6 weeks for shorter adjustment appointments.
A Positive Experience
Building a foundation of trust by treating our patients as special individuals is vital to our success. We understand how uneasy some patients may feel about their dental visits, and how we can make a difference in providing a relaxing and positive experience. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with excellent, personalized care and service to make your visits as comfortable and pleasant as possible.
We thank you for allowing us to take care of your dental needs and look forward to serving you.
159 West Hospitality Lane, Suite 200 San Bernardino, CA 92408
To Make an appointment today…..call us at (909) 558-4616