It was 1981 when Dr. Paul Witt learned that the recently launched UBC Faculty of Dentistry Orthodontic Module was looking for an instructor. The opportunity piqued his interest—he was running a practice in Campbell River, BC, and was having a difficult time finding dental assistants trained in orthodontics. He saw this position as a perfect way to give back to the orthodontic community while also introducing himself to professionals who might be interested in working at his practice.

Dr. Witt’s role in the module was initially small, but over time he became the lead didactic instructor and relocated his home and practice to South Delta. After more than 40 years of shaping the program and mentoring generations of certified dental assistants (CDAs) and dental hygienists, Dr. Witt is retiring, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy.

“I’ve enjoyed my time teaching the Orthodontic Module tremendously, and my approach to teaching has always been to be positive and to treat everyone with respect,” says Dr. Witt. “I never discourage mistakes because if I correct a student who then tries again and fixes their mistake, I know they truly understand what to do and have learned something valuable.”

For over four decades, the Orthodontic Module has offered CDAs and hygienists approximately 50 hours of instruction on expanded duties in orthodontics. The module is run by UBC Continuing Dental Education (CDE) once a year and welcomes 80 participants. Those who complete the program are eligible for the orthodontic designation with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals. The module has always been popular across the province and has even garnered international attention. The University of Bristol in the UK auditing it and invited Dr Witt to participate in a pilot project as the first step toward establishing the UK’s own program.

The module involves both lectures and clinical learning and has evolved over time—when he first started, Dr. Witt had to create slide text and visuals by hand. Under Dr. Witt’s leadership, nearly 4,000 CDAs have graduated from the module. Between 1983 and 1989, he taught dental students in the undergraduate orthodontic clinic, and from the late 1990s until 2020, he led UBC CDE orthodontic study clubs for dentists. When UBC Dentistry started its Graduate Orthodontics program, he joined the part-time faculty as a Clinical Assistant Professor.

“Paul has been such an integral part of our orthodontics offerings here at UBC,” says Dean pro tem Dr. Andrea Esteves. “He has shaped not only the module, but the professional journeys of CDAs across BC, as well as graduate orthodontics students. His commitment to excellence, generosity with his time and respect for learners have left a lasting impact on our Faculty and our profession.”

Taking over from Dr. Witt as the new lead instructor of the Orthodontic Module is Bernardo Urbanetto Peres, MSc 2016; PhD Dip Orthodontics 2022. During his time in graduate school at UBC Dentistry, Dr. Peres had Dr. Witt as an instructor. He was captured by Dr. Witt’s attention to detail and how much he cared about his students and patients. As a graduate student, Dr. Peres taught in the DMD program, and shortly after graduation he joined a private practice in Surrey, BC, where he is now one of the partners. He is excited to return to his alma mater to lead the Orthodontic Module.

“I enjoy teaching and have always been open to new opportunities and challenges,” says Dr. Peres. “Dr. Witt was one of the best instructors I had in the orthodontics program, and you could tell he cares so much about his students. It’s special to be back at UBC Dentistry at a different time in my life, and I feel that teaching the Orthodontic Module is my way of giving back to the school in the best way I can.”

As Dr. Peres’s new chapter begins, Dr. Witt is easing into retirement. In late 2022, he left clinical practice but maintains a Limited (Academic) licence and still has a minor management role at his former practice, which his son, Matthew Witt, DMD 2007, now owns. He plans to continue teaching in the Graduate Orthodontics program until the spring of 2027.

“I will miss the people at UBC Dentistry the most, but I’ve left something for Dr. Peres that I’m proud of and that he can take to the next level,” says Dr. Witt. “He is a brilliant, quick learner who always takes others under his wing, so I have no doubt he will do an incredible job teaching the Orthodontic Module.”