Clifford Zdanowicz , DDS
QUALIFICATION
Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree with a certification in Periodontics
CERTIFICATION
- Board Certified in Periodontology
- LANAP protocol by Millenium Dental Technologies, Inc.
MEMBERSHIP
- American Board of Periodontology
- American Academy of Periodontology
- American Dental Association
Dr. Clifford Zdanowicz has been practicing dentistry since graduation from dental school in 1990. He practiced general dentistry for seven years before beginning a periodontal residency at the National Naval Dental Center (now Walter Reed National Military Medical Center). He joins Drs. West and Zeren after thirty-plus years associated with the armed forces and as a private practitioner.
MY PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY
As a clinician, I have focused on the need for continued exposure and education to all new procedures and instrumentation that support the ideal patient outcome. I am fortunate to have attended educational events in places spanning from Seoul, South Korea, to Tokyo, Japan and throughout the United States. My passion for periodontics includes an astute understanding of the contributing factor of occlusal disharmony in periodontal disease. I have studied at great length at both the Dawson Academy (Teaching the Concept of Complete Occlusal) and the Spear Curriculum Education Seminars. My approach is directed by the understanding that the many facets of complete dentistry coalesce so that my patients are provided a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan encompassing the full spectrum of the masticatory system. My examination/treatment plan protocol includes a thorough assessment/understanding of occlusion and the function of the masticatory system (when necessary study models are mounted on an appropriate articulator utilizing a wax bite registration in centric relation as well as a face bow transfer). In addition, I have completed multiple regenerative courses under the tutelage of Dr. Mike Pikos at the Pikos Institute. As a clinician who is aware of all facets of dental health, I use these educational experiences and tools as an important step in the comprehensive examination process as this is critical to both the diagnostic, surgical, and restorative phase of treatment.
- Comprehensive Oral Examination
- Cosmetic Surgery – connective tissue grafting, free gingival graft augmentation, esthetic crown extension
- Bone regeneration for teeth
- Ridge augmentation
- Ridge preservation
- Implant placement
- Surgical extractions for implant placement
- Certified in the use of the Periolase MVP-7 for the treatment of bone loss around teeth
- Occlusal guards
- Occlusal adjustment
- Use of platelet rich fibrin for periodontal regeneration as well as facial esthetics (micro-needling)
Dr. Zdanowicz received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Immediately upon graduation he pursued a career in the dental profession and selected the premier program offered at Columbia University in New York City. In 1997 he began his periodontal training at the National Naval Dental Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and received his certificate in Periodontics in 2000. Board Certification (diplomate status) with the American Board of Periodontology was received in May 2001.
Dr. Zdanowicz spent his youth in the suburbs of Philadelphia; Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Like all members of his family, high school was expected to be followed by some type of advanced education. His higher education led immediately to a career with the armed forces. During his final year at Columbia University he accepted a commission as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. For seven years he practiced general dentistry throughout the world on land and at sea. During that time he was privileged to be stationed at the following locations: Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina; Third Marines, Third Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan; USS Independence (CV-62) an aircraft carrier forward deployed/home ported with the Seventh Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan; and the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Prior to leaving this assignment, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
In 1997 he began his periodontal training at the National Naval Dental Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and received his certificate in Periodontics in 2000. His final three years on active duty service with the Navy was in Newport, Rhode Island. At Naval Station Newport he held the position of Periodontal Specialty Advisor for Naval Dental Center Northeast with clinical facilities spanning from Brunswick, Maine to Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
After a thirteen-year career in the Navy he resigned his naval commission with many accolades and the rank of Commander in September 2003.
Shortly thereafter, he was fortunate to have been offered an assignment with the Air Force Reserve. In November 2004 he began his association with the 512th Airlift Wing on Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware. The 512th Aerospace Medical Squadron provides medical, nursing, optometric, and dental services for over 1600 members of the 512th Airlift Wing.
From 2010 until his retirement from the military Dr. Zdanowicz held the rank of Colonel and was the Commander of the medical squadron from 2011 through 2022.
Concurrent with his Air Force Reserve and since his military retirement in 2022, he has been a full-time private practicing clinician in the greater Baltimore and Washington, D.C.