Nasdaq-listed Align Technology has partnered with the University of Pretoria’s School of Dentistry to introduce South Africa’s first university academic programme focused on clear aligners and digital dentistry. This collaboration aims to advance dental education and equip future professionals with cutting-edge skills in orthodontic treatment and digital technology.
For over 25 years, Align Technology has been at the forefront of supporting universities, students, and doctors worldwide in the orthodontics and dental fields. Align supports the development of educational resources, including dedicated events and research grants.
“This collaboration with the University of Pretoria represents a major milestone for dental education in Africa, and an important opportunity to advance digital dentistry that will help more doctors transform smiles and change lives,” said Alex Canfor–Dumas vice president, Africa at Align Technology.
“Clinical education about the fast-paced world of digital technology – including clear aligners and intraoral scanners – is key for today’s early career dentists and orthodontists. For years, some doctors could learn about digital dentistry later during their careers – very often, training “on the go” in their practice, between very busy schedules.”
The University of Pretoria School of Dentistry is an important educational institution and provider in the provision of dental education and services in South Africa, through the training of caring and competent dentists and oral hygienists, as well as specialists in oral and dental health care.
“It’s exciting that the University is the first in South Africa to train and teach this programme to the postgraduate students because Align Technology just launched their SA chapter in May 2023. This will have immense public benefit because this type of treatment is user friendly to patients as opposed to braces that are cemented to the teeth,” said Phumzile Hlongwa, Professor and Head of Orthodontics at the University of Pretoria.
Align has developed an orthodontic technique which uses a series of clear, removable appliances that move teeth in small increments from their original state to a treated state, known as the Invisalign® System.
“Unlike with braces, patients can remove the appliance and still brush their teeth,” Prof Hlongwa explained. “Align has also developed ClinCheck® treatment planning software, a proprietary system for treating malocclusions, or the misalignment of teeth, which depicts the patient’s tooth movement from the beginning stage to the final position.”
The Align Academic Programme consists of theoretical and practical sections which will equip registrars with the latest developments in clear aligner techniques without extra costs to the University or the students.
“The programme is aligned with the University’s vision of the 4th Industrial Revolution and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge digital technology in teaching and learning,” said Prof Londiwe Sindisiwe Shangase, Chair of the School of Dentistry, University of Pretoria.
She added that the programme will also train the University’s clinical teaching staff in the Department of Orthodontics towards becoming Invisalign trained and certified clinicians who will act as mentors for the students in the Align Academic Programme.
The introduction of this programme marks a significant advancement for dentistry and orthodontics in South Africa, offering training and access to world-class orthodontic and restorative treatment technologies that notably enhance the precision, efficiency, and the overall patient experience.
“Aligning with the university’s vision of the 4th Industrial Revolution, this program leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge digital technology in teaching and learning,” concluded Prof Londiwe Sindisiwe Shangase, Chair of the School of Dentistry, University of Pretoria.
