The Center for Orthodontic Training Seminars (COTS) is the biggest study group in the Philippines specializing in orthodontic and other specialty preceptorship programs. It is accredited with the International Association of Orthodontists (IAO), thus COTS graduates are allowed to become members of this international body.
The COTS programs was developed by Federico M. Nadela, Jr.,DMD, CProfOrtho, a graduate of the University of the Philippines Postgraduate School of Orthodontics. He underwent a two-year masteral program in Orthodontics, which qualifies him to practice as well as teach orthodontics. Dr. Nadela has been a practicing Orthodontist for 15 years and is one of the founding lecturers for the Manila Central University’s Postgraduate Orthodontic Program. He serves as a professor in MCU and the chief lecturer for COTS.
COTS has its roots in a group called Postgraduate Dental Specialties Inc. which began in 1995. Under Dr. Nadela’s guidance, PDSI pioneered the provincial outreach program which brings the program to dentists who would like to further their studies but who are either unable or unwilling to come to Metro Manila.
Under its new name, the organization of COTS continues to operate in many areas of the Philippines the reach of the program extending as far north as Ilagan, Isabela and as far south as Davao and General Santos. Typically, the total number of students to enroll in one year is 150. To date, COTS has an excess of 1,800 dentists in its database.
Currently, COTS employs eight (8) regular employees to do the administrative and operative functions of the company. On the academic and clinical side, COTS retains at least five (5) orthodontists at any one time to handle lectures and consultations and six (6) clinical instructors to handle hands-on training. COTS is a subsidiary of The Nadela 4N Corporation, a private holding corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Recently, COTS and the University of Visayas, Gullas College of Dentistry (UVGCD), have joined forces and have come up with the One Year Postgraduate Diploma course in Orthodontics. Under this agreement, The COTS programs will be under the umbrella of UVGCD and will be their exclusive Institution authorized to implement the Programs in Orthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics and TMD. This has further enhanced our programs as they are now university postgraduate level courses.
