On Sept. 26, a grand reopening was held for the orthodontic clinic at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry.
The sunny space has been modernized with 12 new dental chairs, enhancing patient care and the learning of residents – dentists who train to be orthodontists through a three-year master’s program. The clinic’s sterilization equipment has also been upgraded.
“This allows our residents to practise in a state-of-the-art environment,” said Dr. Billy Wiltshire, professor and head of the department of preventive dental science (on left in photo).
The $445,000 cost of the improvements was covered entirely by donations, mainly from alumni and friends of the graduate orthodontic program. “Without that generous support, we would not have been able to do this,” Wiltshire said.
Dr. Robert Drummond, assistant professor and director of the clinic (on right in photo), said the upgrades include hermetic packaging of every sterilized instrument, as well as improved sterilization of the clinic’s dental water lines.
“Our water now goes through an iodine filter at each chair, protecting against the formation of bacterial biofilms,” he said.
The clinic, which provides a full range of orthodontic services, is currently accepting patients of all ages. Prospective patients can email uomortho@umanitoba.ca.