Welcome: Welcome to the Oral Facial (Craniofacial) Genetics Division of the Department of Orthodontics and Oral Facial Genetics at the Indiana University School of Dentistry.

History: Founded in 1971 by Dr. David Bixler, a dentist and scientist, as a separate department at the Indiana University School of Dentistry. Dr. Bixler also held a joint appointment as an Associate Professor in the Indiana University School of Medicine Medical Genetics department, enabling him to foster a close collaboration between the Dental and Medical Schools. Dr. Bixler retired as Professor Emeritus of Oral Facial Genetics and Medical and Molecular Genetics in 1993. During his tenure and under his supervision sixteen postdoctoral fellows received training in oral facial genetics. Following departmental consolidation in 1993, Oral Facial Genetics became a division in the department of Oral Facial Development with Dr. James K. Hartsfield, Jr., as the Director of the Oral Facial Genetics Program. Dr. Hartsfield also served  as a Chairman of the Department of Oral Facial Development for four and a half years.  The Department of Orthodontics and Oral Facial Genetics was created in 2007, with Dr. Hatsfield as the Interim Chairman.  Dr. Hartsfield also continues to be the Director of the Oral Facial Genetics Division.  He has mentored two high school students, two college students, six D.D.S. students, eleven M.S.D./orthodontic certificate students, two M.S.D./pediatric dentistry certificate students, two Ph.D./M.S.D./orthodontic certificate students; and two Ph.D., one D.D.S. and two M.D. postdocs. The focus of the Oral Facial Genetics Division has evolved from syndrome delineation and research into the etiology of craniofacial anomalies to the study of the interaction of genetic and environmental factors that influence non-syndromic craniofacial growth and development, and the response to orthodontic treatment.

Clinical Activities: Dr. Hartsfield oversees clinical genetics research in the Indiana University School of Dentistry orthodontics clinic; and oversees the treatment of children, adolescents and adult orthodontic patients by the Orthodontic residents in the School of Dentistry and in private practice on the north side of Indianapolis. He is also an ad hoc consultant on the diagnosis of and genetic counseling for craniofacial and dental anomalies and syndromes in the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics clinic, and Craniofacial Anomalies Clinic at the Riley Hospital for Children. Dr. Hartsfield is a member of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation medical advisory council.

Educational Activities: OFG faculty participate in problem based learning activities and teaching of embryology, craniofacial anomalies, orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, craniofacial growth and development, and cephalometrics in the Indiana University School of Dentistry. Additionally, they are involved in mentoring predoctoral, doctoral and postdoctoral student research. There are opportunities for acquiring a Ph.D. in Dental Science, or a combined Master of Science in Dentistry or Ph.D. in Dental Science with a certificate in orthodontics. All Indiana University School of Dentistry orthodontic residents are required to complete the M.S.D. degree in order to receive the orthodontics certificate. Oral Facial Genetics is one of several research areas that orthodontic residents may work in toward their M.S.D. Pursuit of the combined Ph.D. in Dental Science and orthodontic certificate requires application to and acceptance by both the Ph.D. in Dental Science and graduate orthodontics program. Pursuit of the Ph.D. in Dental Science without the certificate in orthodontics does not require a dental degree, but does require admittance into the Ph.D. in Dental Science Program. Dr. Hartsfield is a member of the NIH supported Indiana University School of Medicine Musculoskeletal Training Program Advisory Committee and Training Faculty , which may provide postdoctoral or 2-3 years of predoctoral (Ph.D.) support for those applicants accepted for support by the Musculoskeletal Training Program.

Research Activities: A major focus is the investigation of genetic factors that influence individual susceptibility to external apical root resorption (EARR) associated with orthodontic force. OFG research led to the first identification of inbred strains of mice that have disparate root resorption associated with orthodontic force, and the first specific genetic factor that contributes to EARR associated with orthodontic treatment in humans.  Other areas of interest are the influence of genetic factors on the timing of skeletal maturation and the response to functional orthodontic appliances. Excellent research facilities are available through the Indiana University School of Dentistry Histology and Mineralized Tissue Laboratory, and the Division of Oral Facial Genetics Molecular Biology Laboratory, both of which are directed by Dr. Hartsfield. Other specialized laboratories and facilities are available as needed, including the Indiana University School of Dentistry Bioresearch Laboratory, which is accredited by AAALAC International. Institutional Review Board approved clinical studies are conducted on both orthodontic graduate program clinic and private practice populations. There is ongoing collaboration with Dr. Tatiana Foroud and the Indiana University School of Medicine’s Division of Hereditary Genomics through Dr. Hartsfield’s joint appointment in the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics. Additional collaborations include those with Dr. Marcella de la Rosa at the Universidad Autónoma de Nueva León in Monterrey, Mexico, Dr. Mithran Goonewardene at the University of Western Australia in Perth, Western Australia, Dr. Ricardo Machado Cruz at the University of Brasilia in Brazil. and Dr. Liliana Otero at Javeriana University in Bogota, Colombia.

• Current OFG Student Activities: Song Chen, D.D.S., Ph.D. (postdoctoral fellow), Michael Morrison, D.D.S., (M.S.D./orthodontic certificate student), Jing Zhou, D.D.S., Ph.D. (M.S.D./orthodontic certificate student), Christopher Crane, D.D.S., (M.S.D./orthodontic certificate student), Brooke Shank, B.S. (D.D.S. student), Kyle Shank, B.S. (D.D.S. student).

For additional information, please contact: