Align Technology Inc, Santa Clara, Calif, has awarded a total of $75,000 in scientific research funding to two universities for projects focusing on the further understanding of orthodontic treatment with clear aligners. The funding is a part of Align’s Clear Aligner Research Award Program.
Maria Orellana, DDS, PhD, assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, will receive a $25,000 award with an option to renew for an additional $25,000 in 2011 for the project "Awareness, Acceptance and Use of the Invisalign® System." The project seeks to conduct a cross-sectional, epidemiological study examining awareness, acceptance, and use of clear aligners in the adolescent Latino population.
Robyn Silberstein, DDS, MS, PhD, clinical associate professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, will receive a $25,000 award for the project "Adherence Predictability to Invisalign® Treatment." The project seeks to design and test effective tools to predict patient compliance.
This is the first year Align has awarded research funding for scientific projects based on a formal submission process. Align plans to continue the Clear Aligner Research Award Program for 2011, awarding up to $100,000 for scientific research. Eligible applicants include full-time university faculty involved in orthodontic scientific research, as well as non-orthodontic scientists whose work may contribute to the improvement of clear aligner therapy.
Applications for 2011 funding are due no later than March 1, 2011. Program details and application instructions are available here.
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