Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Fall 2016 - 20

Portrait of a Professional Dr. Will Andrews In the beginning, I worked up all of my patients twice; once using what I had learned at UCSF, and once using my father's approach. It didn't take long to realize that my father's approach was logical, comprehensive, and worked extremely well. After the first year, I never looked back. At that time, my father decided to bring in a foreigntrained orthodontist for a one-year mini-residency. Eventually there were over 20 such foreign residents, who rotated through our office during my first 18 years in practice. It truly felt like a residency in the sense that the atmosphere revolved around learning, researching, and teaching. What a fantastic way to spend the first 18 years in practice! Thuy, Will, and Myla in 2003 CH: Do you have an emphasis or interest in some aspect of clinical practice (surgery, craniofacial, interdisciplinary, mixed dentition, and/or adult treatment)? WA: My father and I have devoted our efforts over the last 24 years to teaching, researching, applying, and improving upon what we call the Six Elements Orthodontic Philosophy. The philosophy not only includes the use of the straight-wire appliance and the goals known as the Six Keys to Optimal Occlusion, but extends to the use of treatment goals for the jaws, taking into account facial appearance, centric relation, and airway, as well as goals for the arches (length, width, shape, depth, and symmetry). It is, in my opinion, by far the most scientifically defensible orthodontic philosophy that exists. Basically, it outlines treatment goals that lead to optimal health, function, and appearance for the patient; it provides recommended methods for reaching those goals that are efficient, effective, and safe. This philosophy is virtually universal in the sense that it can be applied equally to most or all individuals with normal orthodontic problems, regardless of age, gender, or race. Those who understand the Six Elements Orthodontic Philosophy know that is a 20 complete game-changer when it comes to diagnosis, classification, and treatment. Nothing else even comes close. I recently posed the following question to my father: "Knowing what you know now, if you could start your career over, would you rather practice with the straight-wire appliance, but without knowing anything about the Six Elements, or would you rather practice with the Six Elements without the straight-wire appliance and be forced to use unsophisticated brackets like standard edgewise?" His answer: without a doubt, he would prefer using the Six Elements! We agree on that. That being said, if the straightwire appliance is used properly in conjunction with the Six Elements, there is no better formula for success. I have been very fortunate not only to land on my feet as an orthodontist, but also to practice with my father. We have been able to travel to almost literally the four corners of the earth as teachers. We have designed and patented new orthodontic products, published articles, and are now working on a new textbook about the Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony. I am also currently an assistant clinical professor at UCSF, an adjunct professor at West Virginia University, and co-director of the L. F. Andrews Foundation for Orthodontic Education. CH: How did you meet your spouse? WA: The greatest thing that happened to me while in dental school at UCLA was meeting my then future wife, Thuy, who was my classmate. Thuy is still practicing general dentistry parttime. We have one daughter, Myla, born in 1998. Myla graduated from high school this year and will be continuing the Bruin tradition by attending UCLA this fall. PCSO Bulletin  Fall 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Fall 2016