New Orthodontic Residency Program Coming to Atlanta in 2016
Georgia School of Orthodontics to address critical need for orthodontists and affordable care in the region
ATLANTA, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A new concept in orthodontic education is planned to open in Atlanta in 2016. The Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO) is an innovative approach to clinical learning that seeks to improve orthodontic education opportunities in the state of Georgia. The new program will expand opportunities for dental students seeking to become orthodontists. The three-year residency program is open to dentists across the nation and will have an industry average tuition rate along with stringent education and admission standards. GSO anticipates its first class of residents in September 2016.
"GSO will provide access to affordable orthodontic care to underserved populations in Georgia." according to Dr. Randy L. Kluender, chairman of the Board of Directors of GSO. "Dental braces provide much more than simply a nice smile. Orthodontic care provides straight teeth, healthier jaws and teeth, improves pronunciation and speech, and enhances one's self-esteem.
The program will operate out of a state-of-the-art flagship location in Sandy Springs, and will open a number of community care clinics strategically placed in underserved areas in its second year. The School will serve patients beginning in April 2016 for approximately half the cost of private practice orthodontic care. Monthly payment plans will make the cost of care financially feasible for households in the community with lower income levels. Between the faculty and graduate dentist residents, patients will receive high quality care. When the program is fully operational, the economic impact of the School within the community is estimated to be $25 million per year and will provide $11.6 million in medical cost savings to metro Atlanta residents annually.
"Along with meeting the critical needs of the underserved population in Georgia, GSO is investing in being part of the solution to the state lagging behind the national average for minority orthodontic students and graduates by offering generous scholarships for qualified underrepresented minority residents," said Dr. Pramod Sinha, Board Certified Orthodontist and program director of GSO.
"The Georgia School of Orthodontics will be a great addition to the Atlanta community. It will provide affordable access to orthodontic care to the underserved populations of our city, and increase the number of African American orthodontists nationwide," said John Eaves, Fulton County Chairman.
About Georgia School of Orthodontics
The Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO) anticipates enrolling its first class in the fall of 2016. Based in Atlanta, Ga., GSO will offer an advanced specialty education program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. The 36-month residency program is structured to provide collaborative and evidence-based learning for residents while providing quality orthodontic care to patients in the school's clinics. GSO's mission is to educate outstanding dentists to be proficient in the clinical specialty of orthodontics while providing affordable care to an underserved population. GSO faculty and staff is dedicated to diversity in both education and practice. The program is sponsored by Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center and is a division of its Department of Dentistry. GSO has applied for initial accreditation through the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). For more information, visit www.gaorthodontics.org or call (770) 351-7737.
SOURCE The Georgia School of Orthodontics
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