About Dr. Heffez

MEET LESLIE B. HEFFEZ DMD, MS, FRCD

Dr. Heffez completed a four-year residency in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery (1983) as well as a Master of Science degree in Oral Cancer and Facial Reconstruction (1986). Dr. Heffez then joined the faculty at The University of Illinois at Chicago (1983) as Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS.) In 1993, he assumed the position and roles of Professor and Department Head as well as Program Director of the OMFS Residency Program (1989-1996) and Director of The TMJ and Facial Pain Center. Under his direction as Head (1993-2006), the Department:

  • Expanded its clinical educational to include dental implant program and jaw reconstruction for residents and international dentists;
  • Developed international ties with a cleft lip and palate team in Mexico and integrated it into the residency education program;
  • Underwent a major renovation into a modern outpatient surgical facility;
  • Expansion of its major corrective jaw (orthognathic surgery) program
  • Instituted an optional MD certification in conjunction with the College of Medicine;
  • Developed continuing education programs to teach local, national and international dentists dental implant techniques, intravenous anesthesia and local anesthesia.

Dr. Heffez has authored several books, contributed to many chapters in texts, and authored and co-authored papers extensively. He has lectured nationally and internationally and is board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1985) and American Board of Dental Anesthesia (1984) and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (!984.) He is a nationally decorated teacher achieving the national Golden Apple conferred by the American Dental Association (2008) and numerous Golden Apple Awards conferred by the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry students. Dr. Heffez is internationally recognized as an expert in temporomandibular joint and jaw reconstruction.

MEDICAL EDUCATION:

  • University of Montreal, Dentistry, 1975-79 Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 1979-83
  • Tufts University Cancer and Reconstructive Jaw Fellowship 1980-81 New England Medical Center Master Science, Oral Cancer 1986

BOARD CERTIFICATIONS:

  • American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • American Dental Society of Anesthesia
  • Fellow Royal College of Dentists (Ca)

CLINICAL INTERESTS:

  • Maxillofacial Reconstruction
  • Jaw reconstructive surgery from congenital or acquired defects following trauma or cancer (jaws too big, small or crooked)
  • Dental implant and bone grafting
  • Temporomandibular Joint Surgery (jaw joint surgery)
  • Distraction Osteogenesis (growing bone)

POSITIONS HELD:

  • Private Practice, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Chicago and Highland Park 2012-current
  • Attending, John H Stroger Jr Hospital of Cook County, -current
  • Professor, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2006-2012
  • Professor and Head, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1993-2006
  • Program Director, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1993-1996
  • President, Illinois Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons 2012-2013
  • Immediate Past President, Illinois Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons 2013-2014
  • Board Examiner, American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons 2005-2010
  • Dental Director, Sidney Hillman Health Center 1989-1996
  • Chief Dentistry and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Michael Reese Hospital Medical Center 2001-2008
  • Chief Dentistry and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Mercy Hospital Medical Center 1996-2001
  • Food and Drug Administration, Dental Device Division Chairman 1994-2003
  • Consultant, Craniofacial Center, University of Illinois at Chicago 2000-2012

Teaching Awards

  • 125th University Tufts School of Dental Medicine Guest Alumni Speaker April 30, May 1, 1993
  • Golden Apple Award Class of 2008, awarded in 5/2008
  • Golden Apple Award Class of 2009, awarded in 5/2008
  • Golden Apple Award International Dental Class of 2008 (IDP 2), awarded in 5/2008
  • (Unprecedented for UIC, simultaneous winner of 3 of 5 Golden Apple Teaching Awards)
  • American Dental Association Golden Apple Teaching Award: Inspiring Dental Careers 11/2008
  • Golden Apple Award Class of 2010, awarded 5/2009
  • Golden Apple Award Class of 2012, awarded 5/2011

Published and lectured nationally and internationally

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