Local Anchorage orthodontist sells practice to work with the Alaska Native population and Alaska’s Cleft Palate Team

After almost nine years as orthodontist and owner of Anchorage Orthodontic Associates, Dr. Jeff Symonds now begins transitioning to a new position as an orthodontist at Southcentral Foundation. Dr. Symonds sold the practice of Anchorage Orthodontic Associates, located on the corner of O’Malley Road and Old Seward Highway, in October to Dr. Warren Libby.

During Dr. Symonds’ years practicing orthodontics in the private setting, he began seeing several cleft palate patients and found an interest in the medical aspects of caring specifically for children with this condition. Over the years he developed the practice to include care of cleft palate patients not only in the Anchorage area, but across the entire state of Alaska.

According to The State of Alaska’s Oral Health Plan, “an average of 29 Alaskan children were affected each year for the 1996-2002 period.” The report also shows this orofacial cleft birth defect average is higher than national reported data.

Practicing in the Sounthcentral Foundation clinic at the Alaska Native Medical Center will provide Dr. Symonds more direct access to the multidisciplinary team of plastic surgeons, pediatricians, ENT and other specialties who come together to treat cleft palate children.

He is excited to begin this new phase of his career and says, “I am looking forward to expanding my orthodontic experience from private practice to public service of the Alaska Native population.”

Dr. Symonds is a member of the Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Team for the State of Alaska, the American Cleft Palate Association, the American Association of Orthodontists and past president of the Anchorage Dental Society.