Clayton Chan

Inventor of GNM, Prosthodontist

DDS – Dentistry
An American Dentist, Founder/Director of OCCLUSION CONNECTIONS™ (2008 to present

BIOGRAPHY

Clayton A. Chan, D.D.S. is a general dentist, clinician, teacher, world class educator, mentor and leader to dentists internationally. He is considered by many to be a master and authority on dental occlusion and its relationship to craniomandibular dysfunctions/TMD, orthodontic/orthopedic and complex restorative/prosthetic problems. His mastery and application of systematic techniques and protocols in clinical dentistry is what he has been recognized orfaround the world.His training and experience as a dental laboratory technician along with training in the areas of gnathologics, TMD, orthodontics and neuromuscular occlusion has helped him convey a unique three fold clinical message to thousands of dentists, specialists, technicians and dental leaders nationally and internationally.

Dr. Chan has provided more than 3,652 hours (over 348 days) of continued education since 2009-2017. He has given over 174 courses on the subjects related to dental occlusion, TMD, restorative, orthodontics and advanced electro-diagnostic instrumentation (K7 kineseograph, Myotronics-Noromed, Inc., Kent, WA).

He has presented to dentists from all over the world including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia.

His Focus:

TMD/ Cranio-mandibular dysfunction and pain
Orthodontic/orthopedics
Esthetic craniomandibular rehabilitation
Dr. Chan inspires and motivates dentists to take their practice to the next level, instilling in them the confidence, knowledge and skills necessary to go beyond traditional teachings and techniques of the profession. He is noted for his precision in dental occlusion, bite management and bite transfer techniques applying both the gnathologic and neuromuscular principles.

Dr. Chan coined the term “gneuromuscular” (GNM), being the first to pioneer a blending of both gnathic and neuromuscular occlusal concepts within the dental profession. Dr. Chan’s unrivaled expertise and experience have been acknowledged by dentists around the world seeking him out for help and guidance in Occlusion and its application in clinical dentistry. He is the originator of the Chan-Optimized Bite™.

His programs are packed with common sense information and practical clinical application for both new dentist and the very experienced dentist. He is the author of many articles on neuromuscular dentistry and dental occlusion. As founder and director of Occlusion Connections™, Dr. Chan has designed an eigth level occlusion curriculum plus and three orthodontic/orthopedic level curriculum that comprehensively trains and teaches dentists nationally and internationally to develop diagnostic and treatment skills to successfully address the occlusal problems they face in clinical practice.

Dr. Chan was formerly invited to be the Director of Neuromuscular Dentistry at the Las Vegas Institute (LVI) in November 1999- July 2006 where he established the Jankelson neuromuscular occlusion and orthodontic teaching concepts and curriculum. He has been recognized and noted for being instrumental in introducing Myotronics K7 instrumentation and training program to LVI along with Dr. Robert Jankelson his mentor. Other well noted neuromuscular leaders and teachers as Dr. James Garry (foremost neuromuscular pioneer in upper air way obstruction in TMD), Dr. Gary Wolford recognized neuromuscular oral maxillo-facial surgeon who owns K7 along with other noted NM proponents as Dr. Norman Thomas (Professor Emeritus) were invited on behalf of Dr. Chan’s influential professional relationships with these prominent NM leaders, teachers, academicians and clinicians introducing each of them to the institute at that time.

Dr. Chan resigned from the Las Vegas Institute due to philosophical differences in how the science, implementation and application of “neuromuscular” (NM) occlusal concepts were being advocated and taught. He respectfully fulfilled a 2 year non-compete teaching contract with the institute that limited him from teaching, advocating and sharing his knowledge anywhere in the United States.

After the 2 years past he was encouraged by the Nevada State Board Dental Examiner and former President of the Nevada Dental Association to begin teaching once again. Because of this strong encouragement and the desire by many colleagues and dentists throughout the United States and Canada, Dr. Chan began to teach at Occlusion Connections, the Center for Gneuromuscular Dentistry and Orthopedic Advancement, Las Vegas, NV.

____________________________

Dr. Clayton A. Chan is a trained gnathologist, who has combined expertise in both gnathology and neuromuscular approaches which is a rare combination of skills in the dental field to treat complex occlusal problems as well as handling difficult craniomandibular/ TMJ cervical dysfunction cases. He has expertise in treating full mouth rehabilitation problems using specialized equipment that provides objective documentation which requires advanced training and ability to interpret the CMS, EMG and ESG recordings for optimal results. His comprehensive diagnostic testing and analysis with his skills, years of experience, knowledge, understanding and judgement makes him qualified to treat this case.

____________________________

He has achieved the following recognition awards and status:

Fellowship (FICCMO) status and Mastership (MICCMO) status with the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics,
Mastership (LVIM) status and Fellowship (LVIF) status with the Las Vegas Institute,
Diplomat status with The College of Forensic Orthopedics (Dipl. CFO),
Diplomat status with The American Board of Forensic Examiners (D.A.B.F.E.),
Diplomat status with The American Board of Forensic Dentistry (D.A.B.F.D.) and
Diplomate status with The American Board of Forensic Medicine (D.A.B.F.M.).
He is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), Nevada Dental Association (NDA), and California Dental Association (CDA) and Founding Member of the Appliance Therapy Practitioners Association (ATPA) a leading edge functional orthodontic organization.

Dr. Chan is proud graduate of the Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry in southern California.