Chung H Kau
DDS, MScD, MBA, PhD, M Orth, FDS, FFD(Ortho), FAMS(Ortho)
Associate Professor in Orthodontics

Chung H. Kau completed his dental training at the Faculty of Dentistry at the National University of Singapore. Following a period of general practice, he moved to Cardiff, Wales in the United Kingdom to complete his orthodontic specialty and academic training as a visiting specialist registrar and orthodontic postgraduate at the Cardiff Vale and Morriston Hospital NHS Trusts. He was appointed as a clinical lecturer and specialist in orthodontics at the School of Dentistry, Cardiff University in November 2002 and held this position until June 2006. During this time, he was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy for a thesis entitled “A three-dimensional study of facial changes in children aged 11-14 years”. He was subsequently appointed as a locum Consultant Orthodontist at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital until his present appointment as Associate Professor and Director of the 3D Imaging Facility at the University Of Texas Health Science Center.

Dr Kau is as an active clinical practioner and researcher with a keen interest in three-dimensional and translational research. His research lab is in possession of US$250,000 worth of industry sponsored imaging equipment which includes the 3D Sirona Galileos cone beam scanner and the 3dMD surface imaging device. He has a number of research contracts and has research awards in excess of US$300,000. Two of his current projects revolve around cutting technology and clinical sciences. These include the imaging of the head using revolutionary 3D Cone Beam technology and natural means of “healing” teeth and management of white spot lesions using Minimal Intervention Dentistry technology. In addition to these endeavours, Chung H Kau is also the Principle Investigator of the entrepreneurial initiative to bring clinical science into the medical device domain. This new medical device technology, involving vibratory signalling to move teeth “quicker” in orthodontics, was developed in conjunction with Ortho-Accel which has over US$4 million from the Texas Emerging Technology fund, Michael E Debakey Award and Venture Capital.

Chung H Kau also has a number of international collaborations in the field orthodontics. These include the understanding facial morphology in populations and facial asymmetries in hip dysplasia children. His work has brought him to understand the population based differences in Finland, Wales, Hungary and Egypt. He has formed good partnerships and research relationships in these countries. He has served as a research mentor to a number of researchers, residents and pre-doctoral students. One of these includes a Fulbright scholar from Slovenia.

Chung H Kau is a well sought after and invited speaker on his clinical research and has shared his work on the international stage that includes Australia, New Zealand, North America, Western and Central Europe, the Baltic States, Hungary and the Far East. He actively contributes and publishes in the orthodontic literature and currently has over 100 peer-reviewed publications, conference papers and lectures. His other research interests include multi-centre randomized control trials in orthodontics and the clinical management of hypodontia. During the period of his research, he has garnered several international and local awards in recognition of his contribution to the research field. In 2006, he was honoured by the Hungarian Orthodontic Society and made an honorary life member for contributions to the society. He is also the winner of the two prestigious research prizes of the British Orthodontic Society - the Chapman (2002) and Houston (2006) and two research awards from the American Association of Orthodontists – the AAO Faculty Development Award (2006) and South-western Society of Orthodontist Research Award (2007). In 2008, he will deliver the TC White Invitational Lecture for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow recognising the outstanding contributions of a medical or dental researcher.

Chung H. Kau participates on the national educational level and is on the Panel of Examiners for the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and is an international examiner for the College in Cairo, Egypt. He is on the editorial review board for the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dento-facial Orthopedics and ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Orthodontics, Cleft lip and Palate Journal, Angle Orthodontist and Evidence Based Dentistry Journal.