Dr. Michael Han to Raise Profile of TMJ Surgery, Augment Orthognathic Surgery
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry Assistant Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dr. Michael Han, who recently joined the College, has a niche in two areas: orthognathic surgery and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery.
“While the traditional scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery will constitute the biggest portion of my work, I want to raise the level of visibility and expertise concerning orthognathic and TMJ surgery,” he explained. “Especially for TMJ patients, I feel a responsibility to build a sustainable model to treat these patients so they’re not neglected.”
Dr. Han noted that in terms of resident training, “the specialty is expanding in the areas of craniofacial surgery, cosmetic surgery, cancer, and reconstructive surgery. We want to add to the curriculum in these areas while at the same time reinforcing the traditional scope of OMFS so that residents’ training isn’t diluted.”
He also is involved in predoctoral training. “My job is to make predocs competent in the fundamentals of outpatient OMFS and in the area of case selection in terms of what they can do themselves, and what they should refer,” Dr. Han said.
Dr. Han also provides direct patient care and clinical research. He also is interested in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, craniomaxillofacial trauma, and maxillofacial reconstruction.
After earning his DDS at the University of California at Los Angeles, he was an OMFS resident at the University of Washington in Seattle. Earlier this year, he completed a Fellowship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Dr. Han also has worked as a public health dentist in South Korea.
Photo: Dr. Michael Han.