Growing up, Jennifer Shahar, MMSc25, and her family hosted a young girl from Poland who traveled to the U.S. to receive cleft lip and palate treatment. The first-hand experience opened her eyes to the crucial role an orthodontist can play in a person’s life.
“The consistency of her care not only re-established function, but also had a profound psychosocial impact," said Shahar. “After the work of the orthodontist and her entire craniofacial team, I witnessed a newfound light and confidence in her that showed me the immeasurable impact a skillful clinician could have on a patient.”
Shahar moved to Boston to pursue a residency in orthodontics at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) after graduating with a DDS from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. Now in her second year, Shahar has been diving into the dental specialty, working with patients from diverse backgrounds and performing cleft lip and palate research at Boston Children’s Hospital. Her research is focused on the long-term effects of Gingivoperiosteoplasty (GPP), a procedure that creates a mucoperiosteal bridge across the alveolar cleft.
“Our research will investigate cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of hundreds of patients over the last 25 years to determine how this procedure effects the maxilla in all three planes,” said Shahar. “While the ideal treatment of cleft lip and palate repair remains at discord, it is crucial for us to provide research to help establish surgical strategies and protocol for treating these infants.”
In between her research and studies, Shahar also served as Resident Director for the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation (AAOF)—a role where she served as the voice of orthodontic residents nationally. One of her main initiatives while serving as resident director was to coordinate residency programs in becoming providers for donated orthodontic services.
“The goal of this program is to provide children with access to orthodontic care who may not have had the access otherwise. I am proud to have been a part of HSDM Orthodontics becoming a DOS provider and I am even prouder to be treating our first case.”
Shahar’s experiences throughout her life have made her passionate about helping those with craniofacial anomalies and special care needs requiring complex care. Shahar is interested in pursuing a Craniofacial Fellowship after completing her residency. She is grateful to have found mentors and colleagues who have showed her just how fulfilling this niche aspect of orthodontics can be.
“Everyone around me has pushed me to become a better version of myself both professionally and personally. Each resident comes from a diverse background, which has provided me with unique professional, as well as personal, perspectives. It is important to embrace different views and use these strengths to accomplish the best care for our patients. I have been both amazed and humbled by my colleagues at HSDM.”
