Each quarter, the SOE profiles an educator who is an emerging or long-time leader in orthodontic education. This quarter the SOE highlights Dr. Greg J. Huang, Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Washington. (confirm with SOE officers).

Greg J. Huang, DMD, MSD, MPH, has served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Washington (UW) since 2008. He earned his DMD from the University of Florida in 1987, then completed his Certificate in Orthodontics and MSD at UW in 1989. He later returned to UW to complete a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology in 2001, after 10 years in private practice in Florida, during which he continued teaching part-time at the University of Florida. He rejoined UW as an Acting Assistant Professor in 1999, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2005 and Full Professor in 2011, and was selected as Department Chair in 2008.

Dr. Huang is a nationally recognized proponent of evidence-based orthodontics. He is co-editor of Evidence-Based Orthodontics, 2nd edition, and of Orthodontics: Current Principles and Techniques, 6th edition. He has published more than 80 scientific articles and has led clinical studies through the regional PRECEDENT network and the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. His research has addressed topics including anterior open bite correction, miniscrew implants, and white spot lesions following orthodontic treatment.

Beyond UW, Dr. Huang has served as a member of the AAO Council on Scientific Affairs, as an orthodontic consultant for the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), and as an Associate Editor of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJODO). He also serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Orthodontics and Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a member of the Angle Society.

Dr. Huang currently serves on the AAO Foundation’s Planning and Awards Review Committee (PARC), which reviews and awards AAOF research grants and honors. In recognition of his sustained contributions to the specialty, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists (PCSO) presented Dr. Huang with its Award of Merit in 2014.

Under Dr. Huang’s leadership, the UW Department of Orthodontics has continued to grow its reputation for training clinicians, academicians, and leaders in the profession, both nationally and internationally. He is also known within the department for the Turpin-Huang Endowment, which he established with colleague Dr. David Turpin to support the department’s annual Thesis Day in perpetuity.

Dr. Huang’s Students Share His Impact

Sid (Siddharth) Vora BDS, PhD, MSD
Associate Professor, University of British Columbia

I had the privilege of training at the University of Washington with Greg as our department chair, and I have always had tremendous admiration for the way he led the program. What stood out to me was his genuine sense of stewardship for the department. He understood that he had inherited a program with a remarkable history and legacy, and he took that responsibility seriously, not simply to preserve it, but to ensure that it remained strong and relevant for the generations that followed. His ability to maintain such meaningful relationships with alumni is part of that legacy. The extraordinary support the department has received from its alumni, and the opportunities that support has created for resident research and other scholarly activities, speak to the trust and connection Greg has fostered over many years.

As an educator, Greg had a style that I came to appreciate enormously. He was calm, patient, thoughtful, and never judgmental. He rarely simply told you what to think. Instead, he asked questions and created the space for you to work through a problem, express an opinion, and sometimes reconsider your own assumptions. Even when he disagreed, he had a remarkable way of first acknowledging what was reasonable in your thinking and then offering another perspective (often preceded by a Greg style laugh). You never felt that your opinion had been dismissed, yet somehow his point stayed with you. From the very first day of residency, he treated us more as colleagues than as students. That gave us a sense of responsibility for our own education and created an environment where we felt comfortable expressing our opinions and engaging in open dialogue. His ability to challenge someone intellectually while still making them feel heard, is something I now recognize as a very special quality in an educator, and one I have tried to carry into my own teaching.

Greg also had a profound influence on how I think about orthodontics beyond individual clinical decisions. His commitment to research, evidence, and evidence-based practice was woven into the culture of our training rather than treated as something separate from clinical orthodontics. I have also always admired his ability to contribute so meaningfully to organized orthodontics and service to the profession while simultaneously carrying the responsibilities of an educator, researcher, and department chair. That example has stayed with me throughout my own academic career and has shaped how I approach clinical practice, research, education, and service today.

Perhaps most meaningful to me is that Greg’s mentorship did not end when I graduated. Even now, more than a decade later, he still takes the time to check in, takes a genuine interest in my career, and offers the same balanced and thoughtful advice that I valued as a resident. Shortly after I graduated, Greg gave me my first part-time faculty position at UW. Looking back, I realize how significant that opportunity was. By trusting me, a recent graduate, to help guide residents, he gave me an early sense that I had something worthwhile to contribute. That experience played an important role in my decision to remain in academia. I appreciate even more today how much of my own development occurred in an environment Greg helped create, one that valued curiosity, thoughtful dialogue, scientific evidence, and humility. I remain deeply grateful to have trained under his leadership, and I continue to regard him as one of the educators and academic leaders I most admire.

Perry Ormiston, DDS, MSD
Orthodontist in Private Practice, Puyallup, Washington

I first met Dr. Greg Huang when I began my orthodontic residency at the University of Washington, shortly after he had joined the faculty. From the beginning, Greg stood out for his enthusiasm, kindness, wonderful sense of humor, and genuine commitment to evidence-based orthodontics. I was fortunate to have him serve as my research advisor, and his influence quickly extended well beyond my research. He became a trusted mentor whose guidance and friendship have remained important to me throughout my career.

Years later, I had the opportunity to teach at the University of Washington, with Dr. Huang serving as department chair. During some particularly challenging times at the dental school, I watched him lead the orthodontic program with remarkable dedication, optimism, and steadiness. His ability to bring people together was perhaps best demonstrated by the tremendous alumni support he helped inspire for the renovation of the orthodontic clinic—a project that reflected both his commitment to the program and the respect he has earned from its graduates.

As accomplished as Greg is as an educator, researcher, and leader, what I appreciate most about him is the person behind those accomplishments. He is warm, caring, generous with his time, and genuinely invested in the people around him. I feel very fortunate to have had Greg as an advisor, mentor, colleague, and, most importantly, a friend for the past 24 years. He has had a lasting impact on me personally and professionally, and I am grateful for his friendship and for everything he has contributed to our profession.

Barbara Sheller DDS MSD
Chief of Dentistry, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Affiliate Professor Department of Orthodontics, University of Washington School of Dentistry

Greg’s dedication to the Washington State Society of Orthodontists serves as an inspiring example of professional leadership. He has been generous with volunteering his time and talent, serving multiple terms on the WSSO Board of Directors. He plays a key role in developing scientific programs and recruiting top-tier speakers for the annual WSSO meetings. Colleagues across the world find it difficult to say “no” to Greg.

As an affiliate faculty member, I appreciate Greg’s efforts to include, encourage, and offer opportunities to orthodontists like me who practice outside of the University and still wish to participate in clinical research and education of orthodontic residents. Thank you, Greg, for years of collaboration across the orthodontic landscape of leadership, volunteerism, research, teaching, and friendship.

Samuel Finkleman DDS MSD
Class of 2019, Private Practice Seattle

I had the privilege of being a resident at the University of Washington from 2016–2019. During that time, Greg was the Department Chair and played an important role in my education. He taught in Monday morning clinic and seminar, and also chaired my research committee (part of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network Adult Anterior Openbite Study). Greg consistently emphasized the importance of evidence-based practice and thoughtful clinical decision-making. His approach to orthodontics is practical and conservative. He encouraged us to think critically. He was always kind, approachable, and supportive.

What has made Greg’s impact particularly meaningful to me is that our relationship continued well beyond residency. Since graduating in 2019, I had the opportunity to work alongside Greg in Monday morning seminar and clinic for three years. It was a rewarding, full-circle experience to go from being taught by Greg as a resident to teaching alongside him. I have also had the opportunity to serve with him on the orthodontic alumni association board. Outside of orthodontics, we both enjoy racket sports and get together occasionally to play pickleball. Greg has been an exceptional educator, mentor, and colleague. I am grateful for the lasting influence he has had on both my approach to orthodontics and my career.