Dental Branch Alumni Donate New Equipment

A University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston alumni group has donated a sophisticated X-ray machine to the school's orthodontic department.

The UT Orthodontic Foundation, composed of graduates of the UT-Houston orthodontic program, raised the $41,000 necessary to purchase the Planmeca Digital Panoramic and Cepholometric X-ray Machine from the Planmeca Group in Addison, Ill. This new machine, which will be used exclusively by orthodontic residents at the school, uses lead-free film to take a panoramic X-ray of patients' jaw alignments.

"This equipment will give our students the ability to get a complete picture of the mouth," said Dr. Robert Minkoff, interim chair of the orthodontic department. "It will enable them to treat their patients more easily and in a more timely manner. Before, our patients would have to wait for an appointment in the radiology department, and that delayed treatment. Now we have the luxury of having our equipment for our own use, thanks to our alumni."

The alumni also raised the funds for a projector and new digital camera for the department, which cost an additional $10,000.

"This department, its faculty and students, owe a large debt of gratitude to our generous alumni," said Dr. Minkoff. "Our orthodontic clinic is actively seeking new patients, and we feel this machine will be invaluable in serving them quickly and efficiently."

The previous chair of the department, Dr. Marion Messersmith, had worked with the alumni group for four years on various fundraising activities before leaving the university last spring to go into private practice. Last year, for instance, the alumni group donated $12,000 to renovate the orthodontics laboratory at the school.

To inquire about being treated in the orthodontics clinic or any other dental clinic at the UT-Houston Dental Branch, call the assessment clinic at (713) 500-4000.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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