Growth & Development

About

The Department of Growth and Development encompasses the clinical specialties of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Pediatric Dentistry, and Oral Radiology. It also includes the General Practice Residency Program (GPR) and the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Residency Program.

Education

The department offers rigorous predoctoral courses in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Pediatric Dentistry, and Oral Radiology.

Courses offered include:

• Clinical Dental Radiology for Dental Hygiene
• Introduction to Oral Radiology
• Oral Radiology for Dental Hygiene
• Orthodontic Concepts
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Radiographic Interpretation

The department also offers four postgraduate programs:

• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics – This intricately designed residency program equips residents with the knowledge and confidence to become leading orthodontists. The program provides extensive clinical experience, with residents working alongside nationally renowned faculty members.
• Pediatric Dentistry – Located at Children's Nebraska, this program offers hospital-based clinical experiences focused on treating patients with extensive dental restorative needs, as well as those with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, cleft and craniofacial conditions, and complex medical issues.
• General Practice Residency (GPR) – Residents gain experience in delivering general dentistry patient care, emergency care, referred care, health promotion, disease prevention, and behavioral management techniques.
• Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) – Residents receive advanced training in their areas of interest, including endodontics, prosthodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, implantology, TMD, and more.

Patient Care

The department provides patient care in several locations:

• UNMC College of Dentistry Lincoln Clinic
• UNMC College of Dentistry Omaha Clinic, Durham Outpatient Center
• UNMC Munroe Meyer Institute, Omaha
• Boystown National Research Hospital Craniofacial Clinic, Omaha
• Children's Nebraska, Omaha
• Federally Qualified Health Centers
• Veteran’s Administration Western Iowa Nebraska Health Care System

Predoctoral and postgraduate students have the privilege of treating a diverse patient population, including individuals from various social and economic backgrounds, as well as those with special needs.

Research

The faculty in the Department of Growth and Development are nationally and internationally recognized for their contributions to oral health research. Many have received prestigious research awards and secured grant funding from various sources. Advancing research is a key goal of the department.