The Orthodontic Specialist Academy

17/12/2025

2025: A Year That Changed How We Care

As 2025 comes to an end, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude.

This year has truly changed how we care — at The Orthodontic Specialist and at The Orthodontic Specialist Academy. Not just in what we do, but why we do it.

Day after day in clinic, we have seen the power of recognising problems early. The small signs that are so easy to miss. When growth, function, breathing, and development are guided at the right time, we can prevent much bigger challenges later on. This belief in early, preventative orthodontics has shaped everything we do.

What makes me most proud is not the growth itself, but the people behind it. An exceptional team who show up with care, integrity, and commitment for every patient. Colleagues and clinicians through our Academy who are choosing to think differently — putting prevention, health, and long-term outcomes first.

None of this happens alone. It happens when values align, when standards remain high, and when the focus stays firmly on doing what is right.

As we look ahead to 2026, I am more excited than ever. We will continue to educate, to evolve, and to raise the standard of early orthodontic care.

This is the final opportunity to enrol for our 2026 Academy courses.
For full details, please contact:
[email protected]

Thank you to my incredible team, our patients, our Academy delegates, and our wider community.
2025 has been a year that changed how we care — and this is only the beginning.

08/12/2025

Shaping the Future of Orthodontics—One Community at a Time

Every time I listen to the latest feedback from our Cohort 3 graduates, I am reminded why we built this Academy.
What begins as a one-year diploma in early intervention becomes something far deeper: a space where clinicians grow, connect, and rediscover their purpose.

The feedback we receive is not just about clinical excellence or transformative treatment planning. It speaks of lives changed, confidence rebuilt, and a community that supports each other long after the course ends.

At the Orthodontic Specialist Academy, we are not simply teaching how to treat children.
We are shaping a movement in early, airway-focused orthodontics.
We are creating belonging.
We are building a family of clinicians who want to make a meaningful difference.

Cohort 3 have once again shown what becomes possible when passion, knowledge, and community come together.
To every graduate: thank you for trusting us and for helping us grow this mission.

Cohort 4 (January 2026) is not yet full.
If you feel called to deepen your clinical clarity, elevate your confidence, and join a community that genuinely cares—now is the time.

To enquire or secure your place, please contact:
[email protected]

15/11/2025

10/11/2025

🚀 A Life-Changing Journey in Early Interceptive Orthodontics

Hearing feedback like Catherine’s is exactly why we do what we do.
As a member of Cohort 2 of our one-year Diploma in Early Interceptive Orthodontics, she shared that the course has been truly transformational for her clinical thinking and her patients’ long-term wellbeing.

What resonated most is how the curriculum aligns with the principles taught at the Kois Center in Seattle with John Kois, bringing together:Like says:
✅ Airway
✅ Function
✅ Biomechanics
✅ Periodontics
✅ Dento-facial development

Because real orthodontics isn’t just about straightening teeth.
It’s about understanding the whole individual — their breathing, their craniofacial and dento-facial growth, their posture, and their function.
Everything is connected.

This is the heart of our philosophy — a facially and airway-driven approach that elevates clinicians beyond tooth alignment to true, health-centred care.

To Catherine — thank you for your passion, commitment, and for sharing how deeply this journey has shaped your practice.
We’re honoured to witness our students grow into clinicians who change lives every day.

Here’s to shaping the future of orthodontics — one airway at a time. 🌱

05/11/2025

✨ From Adult Breakdown → Early Interception ✨

This is feedback from Catherine – Cohort 2 of our Diploma in Early Interceptive Orthodontics.

Catherine first trained with Dr John Kois , where she learned to understand functional occlusion — particularly how to identify the underlying causes behind breakdown and destruction in adults.

When she joined our Diploma, she shared how it opened a new perspective:
She began recognising the earliest signs of these same destructive patterns in children — long before they become complex to manage.

A key takeaway for her was learning to approach care:

✅ Facially-driven
✅ Airway-driven
✅ Outside-in, rather than teeth-first

This mindset shift — looking at breathing, facial growth, and whole-body function before focusing on the teeth — is one of the core pillars of our Diploma programme.

I have personally learned tremendously from Dr John Kois and his philosophy, and it’s a privilege to now blend these foundations with airway-centred early intervention so we can support children much earlier in life.

Thank you, Catherine, for allowing us to share your reflections and for being part of Cohort 2.
Your journey reflects what this Diploma aims to achieve:
➡️ Understand early, guide wisely, and protect lifelong health.

02/10/2025

✨ Cohort 3 – Module 3 Highlights ✨

This week our Diploma in Early Interceptive Orthodontics took a deep dive into one of the most important skills in clinical practice: biomechanics.

🔹 How do we move teeth predictably with clear aligners?
🔹 When should we use other tools such as a Schwarz expander or fixed braces?
🔹 Which movements are reliable – and which are not?
🔹 How do we apply smart staging protocols for clear aligner treatment in children?

Understanding these principles is what separates average results from excellent outcomes in early treatment. Our participants are learning not just the theory, but how to apply it in real-world clinical cases.

👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️ Whether you’re already offering interceptive care or looking to add it to your practice, this Diploma will give you the knowledge and confidence to make the right choices for your young patients.

📅 The next intake begins January 2026 – spaces are still available!

👉 Don’t miss your chance to join a growing community of forward-thinking clinicians shaping the future of orthodontics.

📩 DM us today or click the link in bio to secure your place.

19/07/2025

📣 COHORT 3 | MODULE 2 — GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

This week we’ve been diving deep into the foundations of facial development — when, how, and why we can influence craniofacial growth in children through early, airway-focused orthodontics.

🧠 From understanding sutural timing to guiding growth with function-first protocols, Module 2 is all about empowering clinicians with the knowledge to intervene at the right time, in the right way.

🌟 And a HUGE highlight — we were honoured to welcome .uk Yuli Tamayo-Myerson, who delivered a live fascia release masterclass and introduced her incredible new YTM Tool. 🙌

Seeing the interplay between structure, function, and fascia come alive in real time was unforgettable. The integration of manual therapy with orthodontics is the future of functional care — and we saw it first-hand.

💥 Today — Day 3 — we explored the visionary work of Pedro Planas, followed a live tongue-tie release, and broke down cephalometric interpretation with a functional lens.

🦷 This is what modern orthodontic education looks like:
💡 Evidence-based
🌱 Growth-guided
🫁 Airway-aware
👐 Functionally integrated

Thank you to our incredible Cohort 3 students and to Yuli for sharing your passion, precision, and presence.

Let’s keep shifting the standard of care — one module at a time.

18/03/2025

🚨 FREE Live Webinar for General Dental Practitioners 🚨

📅 Topic: Early Interceptive Orthodontics
📅 Date & Time: Tuesday, 25th March 2025 at 19:30 GMT
👨‍⚕️ Presenter: Dr. Steffen Decker

Are you looking to expand your practice and enhance your treatment offerings? Join us for an exclusive webinar where Dr. Steffen Decker, a leading expert in Early Interceptive Orthodontics, will walk you through how to treat children with early orthodontic interventions—and how it can open up a new revenue stream for your practice.

Dr. Decker has successfully grown his practice from a squat over just 3 years, with a focus on treating children aged 5 and up. This is your chance to learn from his experience and gain valuable insights into Early Intervention Treatment protocols.

What You’ll Learn:

🔑 The aims and objectives of Early Interceptive Orthodontics
💰 How it can create a new revenue stream for your practice
🦷 Benefits of early interceptive preventive orthodontics
🔄 How Early Interceptive Orthodontics can transform lives
🧑‍⚕️ Introduction to Angel Aligners
🦷 In-depth case discussions:

Class 1 Malocclusion
Class 2 Malocclusion with Mandibular Advancement
Class 3 Malocclusion with Crossbite
Lack of Leeway Space
Learning Objectives:
📏 Understand the role of Early Interceptive treatments in facial development
❌ Learn that removing teeth at age 12 isn’t always the answer
🔄 Discover how to use growth to align teeth more effectively
💡 How to factor in functional elements when treating children

At the end of the webinar, there will be an opportunity to ask Dr. Decker your questions LIVE!

🔗 How to Register:
Simply email us at [email protected] to secure your spot. Once registered, you’ll receive the Zoom link.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your skills and grow your practice!

Dr. Decker and the Orthdontic Specialist Academy

15/03/2025

21/11/2024

First day of the last part of the diploma “ Early Interceptive Orthodontics with Clear Aligners “ by Dr.Decker

If you want to learn everything about EARLY INTERCEPTIVE ORTHODONTICS, please comment “+” below 👇 and we will send you our brochures 🦷✌️

and share this with your friends who might be interested👍

Can’t wait to share valuable insights with you.

Dr. Decker and

#ортодонт

18/11/2024

Calling all dentists & pediatric dentists!

Limited spots remain for our 2025 Diploma in Early Interceptive Orthodontics with Clear Aligners!
This is your chance to master techniques for healthier smiles in young patients.

⁉️Intrigued?

Check out our Instagram for a sneak peek of what you’ll learn! ➡️ or download a brochure here:https://theorthodonticspecialist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TOS-2024-Courses-GDP-Course.pdf

Ready to level up your practice?

Head to www.theorthodonticspecialist.co.uk/courses for full details or DM us to secure your spot!

Don’t miss out!

Dr.Decker & team