SIU School of Dental Medicine - Dept. of Growth, Development and Structure: Dr. Anita Joy (Chair)

Part of a statewide Dental school system—this department studies how kids’ faces and teeth develop. Treatment stems from decades of research; patients get evidence-based options. Orthodontic diagnostics and appliance therapy often start here; cleft-lip and palate cases receive specialized support. Complex root anomalies fall into their clinical purview; jaw discrepancies receive targeted assessment. Referrals arrive from corners of the metro area.

The brick building sits on a residential block near Alton’s downtown core—3030 Leverett St Building 286 Alton, IL 62002 marks the corner. Sidewalks carry students and patients alike on weekday mornings; street lights glow at dusk. A quiet neighborhood backdrop sharpens the contrast with the busy lab benches inside.

Dr. Anita Joy chairs the division, charting the curriculum toward surgical and interceptive techniques. Residents rotate through clinics twice a year—pediatric cases one rotation, Cleft Palate the next; each cohort logs hundreds of hours. Referring dentists know they’ll find up-to-date protocols rather than experimental guesses.

Plan the route using the campus map: https://www.google.com/maps/place?ftid=0x87df5b57ea640c55:0x3b5129c4b2b727c0. Once parked along Leverett, head for the glass doors of Building 286; the elevator to the second floor is straight ahead.