Dr. Gavin James
Dr. James graduated in dentistry from the University of Glasgow, Scotland then spent a year as an intern in pediatric dentistry at the Forsythe Dental Institute of Harvard University. After two years of military service in Germany, he attended the Eastman Dental Clinic of London University, England, taking their two- year orthodontic program. As well as acquiring his Diploma in Orthodontics he also obtained a Fellowship in Dental Surgery (England). Subsequently, he was a Lecturer in Orthodontics and Senior Registrar in Edinburgh University for five years. During this time he was awarded a Master’s degree for his thesis in comparative anatomy. He was then appointed Senior Lecturer and acting head of the Orthodontic Department at Glasgow University.
He emigrated to Ontario, Canada in 1967 and after taking his Diploma in Orthodontics at Toronto University he worked in private practice in Orillia, Ontario. During this time he also was a part-time instructor in the Graduate Orthodontic Department of Toronto University under Dr. Don Woodside. In 1982 he opened a practice in Toronto for the treatment of temporomandibular joint problems. This included a restorative dentist, physiotherapists and craniosacral therapists, as well as orthodontists. This was the first private clinic in Ontario to bring theses disciplines together in order to integrate different professional skills. Since that time Dr James has continued to study and apply the links between orthodontics and osteopathy. With Dr Dennis Strokon, he has co-authored a series of peer-reviewed articles on the various cranial displacements and dental malocclusion, drawing on the work of Dr Darick Nordstrom, with his encouragement. These articles describe how an understanding of osteopathic principles can expand orthodontic diagnosis and treatment possibilities. They have presented these ideas in seminars throughout North America and the United Kingdom.
More recently, Dr James has explored the work of physicists and biologists. The application of quantum mechanics has revolutionized traditional assumptions about how the body works. These new concepts offer a much more comprehensive view of orthodontics. In a further series of articles he has demonstrated how these ideas translate into everyday clinical application. He continues to work closely with osteopaths and finds that there is a synergistic effect from this sharing of skills. He considers that orthodontics has the opportunity to play a major role in the health field, far beyond its present concentration on esthetics.
Dr James is married and he and his wife Joyce have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Having moved to Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, they enjoy living in one of Canada’s prettiest towns, the pleasures of the Shaw Theatre and the reenactment of historical events. He practises part- time and mentors dentists and orthodontists as well as providing consultation services.
