Dr. Morgan Moranda
“Life is better when you smile! It unlocks your true potential. Although your smile is the focus of our treatment, when you come to our practice, we want you to feel like family, not just a check-up or exam. We pride ourselves on that at Schantz and Moranda Orthodontics.”
Dr. Morgan Moranda was born and raised in Southern California. He completed his undergraduate education in Biology at the University of California Riverside. Achieving high honors and actively being involved in research that was published in the Journal of Neuroscience led to his acceptance to the dental school at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Dr. Moranda continued on his academic path and was involved in research while at UCLA. He graduated at the top of his class. He also met his future wife while in dental school, Annette Moranda, D.D.S., who practices in Rancho Mirage, CA. Dr. Schantz is Dr. Moranda’s uncle and mentor. This helped Dr. Moranda decide to pursue orthodontics. He followed the same path as Dr. Schantz and began his 36-month residency at the University of Connecticut, widely known as one of the top residency programs in the world. During his residency, his interest in research led to a Master of Science degree and he was awarded a two-year scholarship for scholastic and research merit. He went on to being involved in teaching incoming residents and became the chief resident of his class, and received his certificate as a specialist in orthodontics.
After completing his orthodontic residency in 2004, Dr. Moranda entered into a well-established private practice with Dr. Schantz in Coachella Valley, at what is now Schantz and Moranda Orthodontics.
Dr. Moranda is an active member in several professional organizations including the:
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- California Dental Association
- Southern California Damon Study Club
He also enjoys teaching and is certified by the California Dental Board as a registered continuing education provider for his peers, and as an instructor for the Orthodontic Assistant Program.
Dr. Moranda supports several local organizations. He serves on the board of the First Tee of the Coachella Valley, and on the Foundation for the Palm Desert Charter Middle School. Dr. Moranda is very involved with a charity golf tournament he founded in 2010 that benefits the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Southern California. This annual event has raised over $100,000!
On a more personal level, Dr. Moranda enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters on the tennis courts and on the ski slopes. He is actively involved in athletics, and enjoys golfing in the desert. You also may be able to catch him at a “gig” on the weekends when he is playing guitar and singing in an active rock and roll band.
