events course description

Dr. James A. McNamara has been an orthodontic resident, doctoral student in anatomy, university professor, teacher and researcher, international lecturer, and private practitioner during the last four decades. His broad experience in both clinical and experimental arenas and his worldwide travels have provided him a unique opportunity to synthesize an approach to clinical practice that not only is evidence-based but also is focused on the art as well as the science of orthodontics.

The course will range from discussions of the broad topic of treatment timing (including the cervical vertebral maturation system that can be used to determine proper timing of treatment) to the details of appliance management. Dr. McNamara will synthesize an approach to juvenile and adolescent treatment, incorporating many of the current orthodontic and orthopedic technologies that have emerged during the last three decades.

events detailed schedule

events about the speaker

Dr. James A. McNamara, a graduate of the University of California Berkeley, received his dental and orthodontic education at the University of California, San Francisco, and a Doctorate in Anatomy from the University of Michigan. He is the Thomas M. and Doris Graber Endowed Professor of Dentistry Emeritus in the Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Professor Emeritus of Cell and Developmental Biology in the University of Michigan Medical School and Research Professor Emeritus at the Center for Human Growth and Development. He is the author (with artist William L. Brudon) of the text, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.

The speaker was the recipient of the 2008 Albert H. Ketcham Award, considered by many the highest award in orthodontics worldwide. He also was the recipient of the Milo Hellman Research Award given by the American Association of Orthodontists in 1973 and was the E. Sheldon Friel Memorial Lecturer of the European Orthodontic Society in 1979. Dr. McNamara also received the Research Recognition Award of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in 1983. He received the Jacob A. Salzmann Award at the 1994 meeting of the American Association of Orthodontists. He also is the 1997 recipient of the BF Dewel Biomedical Research Award of the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation. He is the 2001 recipient of the James E. Brophy Distinguished Service Award, the highest award given by the American Association of Orthodontists. In addition, he was the recipient of the 7th Biennial Outstanding Research Award given by the EH Angle Education and Research Foundation in 2003. He has delivered all three named lectures at the annual sessions of the AAO, including the Edward H. Angle Lecture in 2014.

Dr. McNamara practices in Ann Arbor with his daughter in a beautiful 1889 Victorian. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a Fellow of the American College of Dentists. He also is Past-President of the Midwest Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists. In addition, Dr. McNamara served as the Chairman of the Council on Scientific Affairs of the American Association of Orthodontists from 1993-1996 and is Editor-in-Chief of the 50 volume Craniofacial Growth Monograph Series published through the University of Michigan. Dr. McNamara has published over 280 scientific articles in refereed journals, has written, edited or contributed to 72 books, and has presented over 375 courses and lectures in 41 countries.

Current Academic Appointments
James A. McNamara, DDS, MS, PhD
Thomas M. And Doris Graber Endowed Professor Emeritus
Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry;
Professor Emeritus, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine;
Research Professor Emeritus, Center for Human Growth and Development The University of Michigan