3 Reasons Dr. Pat Teaches Orthodontics at UPenn
Patients at Cuozzo Orthodontics in NJ know Dr. Patrick Cuozzo, aka Dr. Pat, for his warm, friendly chairside manner. Parents who research NJ orthodontists before choosing one see Dr. Pat’s credentials and feel at ease even before visiting and experiencing his uplifting and reassuring presence.
Dr. Pat is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics and has been voted 10 times as one of the Top Orthodontic Specialists in New Jersey Monthly Magazine, among many other awards and honors. What many people might not know, however, is that Dr. Pat also holds a faculty position at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Orthodontics, where he received his certificate of specialty. With how busy he is at his practice, you might wonder how and why Dr. Pat finds the time to live and breathe even more orthodontics outside of work. Not only that, but he also says it’s the best thing he’s ever done professionally, for several reasons:
Going Beyond
Doing something and teaching something are two entirely different things. The former lends itself to routine and gets easier with experience. The latter takes more thought and the ability to articulate not just how something works, but why it works. As a clinical professor, Dr. Pat is constantly evaluating his own methods based on the questions he gets from students. Those students are dentists who have chosen to continue on to a three-year residency program in orthodontics at one of the leading universities in the world, meaning the questions they ask are anything but 101-level.
Getting Ahead
New developments in orthodontics are usually introduced at universities before going mainstream. At UPenn, Dr. Pat is on the cutting edge of technology, treatment, and technique. He sees the latest and greatest clinical systems and technology from all the major manufacturers and can determine which options are the most efficient and effective at straightening teeth. Ultimately, this leads to Cuozzo Orthodontics carrying the optimal products that allow patients to be in treatment for the least amount of time and see the best results possible.
Giving Back
Many of us can relate to the warm-fuzzy feeling we have for our alma mater. Dr. Pat has that for both the University of Maryland, where he earned his undergraduate and DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degrees, and UPenn, where he was invited back to teach after earning his certificate of specialty in orthodontics. But it’s not just about the college connection; Dr. Pat also takes pride in teaching the next generation of orthodontics professionals. Given the proximity between UPenn in Philadelphia and Cuozzo Orthodontics in Sea Girt and Lincroft, NJ, some of Dr. Pat's students could go on to become part of the team at Cuozzo or perhaps join other local practices. Wherever they may go, Dr. Pat is proud to be a part of their journey and the orthodontics community.
Meet Dr. Pat and the rest of the Cuozzo team, bringing big smiles to NJ for decades.
