For my first project, I interviewed my father, Dr. Forrest Norman, a dentist in Charlotte, North Carolina, to create a short digital story about Orthotropics. Orthotropics is a non-traditional treatment approach focused on guiding facial growth and improving airway health. Through this project, I explored how he entered the field of dentistry, the work he does today, and why this approach matters for long-term health.
This assignment helped me build skills in filming, editing, and visual storytelling while also giving me a deeper understanding of the impact of his work. Dr. Norman completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has continued his training through programs such as the Pankey Institute continuum, TMJ and sleep mini-residency, orthotropic mini-residency, and craniofacial pain mini-residency.
I chose this topic because I admire his commitment to helping patients and feel personally connected to the story, as I was one of his first Orthotropics patients. I hope this video offers an engaging introduction to “The Science of Orthotropics.”
Breathing is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, elements of Orthotropics. To complement my video project, I created this infographic to show how everyday habits can influence the way we breathe and why proper breathing matters. Designing this piece in Canva helped me practice visual layout, color balance, and clear information design.
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