About Us

Trust experience for a straighter, more confident smile.

Since 1982, the orthodontic team of Cliff Running, DDS, and Todd Hellwig, DMD, has helped many thousands of children, teens and adults in Phoenix and Scottsdale have straight, attractive, confident smiles. With several decades of combined experience, Drs. Running and Hellwig have handled an enormous variety of orthodontic cases. In the process, they have gained an advanced level of clinical skill and have earned a reputation for meeting people’s individual needs with outstanding results.

Cliff H. Running, DDS

"As a young man, I had orthodontic treatment, and it was a very positive experience...and it made a positive change in my life. I also had family members who were healthcare professionals. So when the time came for me to choose an educational and career path, I knew I wanted to help others, and my experience as an orthodontic patient made the decision fairly easy for me. Today, after decades of helping adults and children have attractive, confident smiles, I still love what I do. That's because it's very rewarding and personally satisfying to be able to positively impact the lives of others."

"Orthodontic care is also always new and interesting, both from the standpoint of having to stay abreast of the constant changes and because I get to meet and interact with new people... and have some fun in the process. One of the most gratifying aspects, also, is pursuing the very best outcomes by providing a unique level of one-on-one care and attention. While it may not happen in other orthodontic practices, we see our patients personally every time they're here, because it's essential to being personally invested in the success of each person's care."

Orthodontic Certificate: SPP Program, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, 1964-68
DDS: University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, Memphis, TN, 1964
Undergraduate Study: Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 1958-60; Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, 1960-61
Member: International College of Dentists, World Federation of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, Arizona State Orthodontic Association, Arizona Orthodontic Study Group, Arizona State Dental Association, Central Arizona Dental Society
Adjunct Orthodontic Clinical Instructor: Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Hygiene, Mesa, AZ
Orthodontic Involvement & Awards: American Society of Dentistry for Children – Certificate of Merit (1964); Arizona Dental Association – Student Clinicians Award (1964), Outstanding Achievement Award in Periodontics (1964), Trustee (1994-96), House of Delegates (1970-2006), Service Award for Distinguished Leadership to the Profession of Dentistry (2004); Central Arizona Dental Society – President (1990-91), Chairman of Constitution & Bylaws Committee (1991-92), Nominations Committee (1990-2006); Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners – Complaint Review Committee (1980-2006); Psi Omega Dental Fraternity – Fraternal Achievement Award (1964); Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Honor Society (1964); University of Tennessee – Dean’s Society (1964); St. Joseph’s Hospital – Chairman of Department of Dentistry (1990-91); Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Section Chief of Dentistry (1990-2006); Children’s Rehabilitative Services – Chief of Staff (1990-91), Chair of Department of Dentistry (1990-2006); Phoenix Magazine – Selected “Top Dentist” as Orthodontist (2003-2006)
Volunteer: Flying Samaritans; Father Wasson’s Orphanage, Mazatlan, Mexico; St. Joseph’s Hospital Dental Clinic; Give Kids a Smile Day; Dentists Concerned for Dentists (Chairman, 1990-2006)

E.H. Todd Hellwig, DMD

"I have always had two great interests throughout my life; art and science. I was drawn to dentistry because it combines both of these. I also love people. I love meeting them, getting to know them and doing what I can to help them. In addition, my own experience, having orthodontic care as a child was a transformation for me; it put a permanent smile on my face. As a result, I pursued the orthodontic specialty as a career path. And a quarter-century later, I wake up every day knowing I made the right choice."

"Just as we are each unique and different from one another, no two smiles are identical. And the truth is that a smile is as important to our lives as it is dynamic and complex. For these reasons, I believe every person I care for - kids, teens, and adults - needs and deserves my total dedication. This is why the care we provide in this practice is as unique as the people we treat. I offer a uniquely personal experience that is built around understanding, compassion and a heartfelt commitment to meeting your needs and exceeding your expectations. After all, this is all about improving lives."

Certificate in Orthodontics: Department of Orthodontics, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, 1980
DMD: University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL, 1977
BS: Natural Science & Mathematics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 1975
BS: Advertising, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 1969
Member: International College of Dentists, American Association of Orthodontists, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, Arizona Orthodontic Study Group, Arizona State Dental Association, Central Arizona Dental Society, Pierre Fouchard Academy
Orthodontic Involvement & Awards: American Association of Orthodontists – Alternate Delegate (1996), Task Force on Endorsements (2001-02); Arizona Orthodontic Study Group – Board of Directors (1995-99), President (1997-99), Local Arrangements Chair for Annual Session in Phoenix (1999); Central Arizona Dental Society – Membership Committee (1987-91), Membership Committee Chairman (1990-91), Board of Directors (1991-94), Vice President (1996), President (1997-98), Nominations Committee (1999-2002), Bylaws Committee (2004-05), Bylaws Committee Chair (2005-06); Arizona State Dental Association – Membership & Membership Services Committee (1992-95), Delegate (1991-present), Membership Recruitment Task Force (1993-94), Council on Government Affairs (1994-2004); Phoenix College – Advisory Board for Dental Hygiene & Assisting Programs (1990-94); Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists – Strategic Plan Task Force (1992-93), Board of Directors Arizona Representative (1993-97), Strategic Planning Committee (1995-96), American Board Director Committee (2000), Secretary-Treasurer (2000-01), President-Elect (2001-02), President (2002-03), Nominations Committee Chair (2003-04), Awards Committee Chair (2003-04), Continuing Education Committee (2005-07), Nominations Committee (2005-06)
Community Involvement: Brophy College Prep – Dads Club Board of Directors (1993-94), Chairman of Student Excellence Awards (1991-94); Phoenix Midtown Rotary Club – President’s Award (1991), Chairman of Dixieland Party annual fundraiser (1991), Sergeant-at-Arms (1994-97), Vice President (1996-97), President (1997-98), Fundraising Chair ((1998-99), Rotarian of the Year Award (1999-2000), Board of Directors (1999-2001); Sunnyslope High School – Interact Club Services Adviser (1994-95)

LOCATIONS IN SCOTTSDALE AND PHOENIX, AZ Scottsdale: (480) 948-4200 \| Phoenix: (602) 277-6891
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	About Us Trust experience for a straighter, more confident smile. Since 1982, the orthodontic team of Cliff Running, DDS, and Todd Hellwig, DMD, has helped many thousands of children, teens and adults in Phoenix and Scottsdale have straight, attractive, confident smiles. With several decades of combined experience, Drs. Running and Hellwig have handled an enormous variety of orthodontic cases. In the process, they have gained an advanced level of clinical skill and have earned a reputation for meeting people’s individual needs with outstanding results. Cliff H. Running, DDS "As a young man, I had orthodontic treatment, and it was a very positive experience...and it made a positive change in my life. I also had family members who were healthcare professionals. So when the time came for me to choose an educational and career path, I knew I wanted to help others, and my experience as an orthodontic patient made the decision fairly easy for me. Today, after decades of helping adults and children have attractive, confident smiles, I still love what I do. That's because it's very rewarding and personally satisfying to be able to positively impact the lives of others." "Orthodontic care is also always new and interesting, both from the standpoint of having to stay abreast of the constant changes and because I get to meet and interact with new people... and have some fun in the process. One of the most gratifying aspects, also, is pursuing the very best outcomes by providing a unique level of one-on-one care and attention. While it may not happen in other orthodontic practices, we see our patients personally every time they're here, because it's essential to being personally invested in the success of each person's care." Orthodontic Certificate: SPP Program, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, 1964-68 DDS: University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, Memphis, TN, 1964 Undergraduate Study: Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 1958-60; Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, 1960-61 Member: International College of Dentists, World Federation of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, Arizona State Orthodontic Association, Arizona Orthodontic Study Group, Arizona State Dental Association, Central Arizona Dental Society Adjunct Orthodontic Clinical Instructor: Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Hygiene, Mesa, AZ Orthodontic Involvement & Awards: American Society of Dentistry for Children – Certificate of Merit (1964); Arizona Dental Association – Student Clinicians Award (1964), Outstanding Achievement Award in Periodontics (1964), Trustee (1994-96), House of Delegates (1970-2006), Service Award for Distinguished Leadership to the Profession of Dentistry (2004); Central Arizona Dental Society – President (1990-91), Chairman of Constitution & Bylaws Committee (1991-92), Nominations Committee (1990-2006); Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners – Complaint Review Committee (1980-2006); Psi Omega Dental Fraternity – Fraternal Achievement Award (1964); Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Honor Society (1964); University of Tennessee – Dean’s Society (1964); St. Joseph’s Hospital – Chairman of Department of Dentistry (1990-91); Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Section Chief of Dentistry (1990-2006); Children’s Rehabilitative Services – Chief of Staff (1990-91), Chair of Department of Dentistry (1990-2006); Phoenix Magazine – Selected “Top Dentist” as Orthodontist (2003-2006) Volunteer: Flying Samaritans; Father Wasson’s Orphanage, Mazatlan, Mexico; St. Joseph’s Hospital Dental Clinic; Give Kids a Smile Day; Dentists Concerned for Dentists (Chairman, 1990-2006) E.H. Todd Hellwig, DMD "I have always had two great interests throughout my life; art and science. I was drawn to dentistry because it combines both of these. I also love people. I love meeting them, getting to know them and doing what I can to help them. In addition, my own experience, having orthodontic care as a child was a transformation for me; it put a permanent smile on my face. As a result, I pursued the orthodontic specialty as a career path. And a quarter-century later, I wake up every day knowing I made the right choice." "Just as we are each unique and different from one another, no two smiles are identical. And the truth is that a smile is as important to our lives as it is dynamic and complex. For these reasons, I believe every person I care for - kids, teens, and adults - needs and deserves my total dedication. This is why the care we provide in this practice is as unique as the people we treat. I offer a uniquely personal experience that is built around understanding, compassion and a heartfelt commitment to meeting your needs and exceeding your expectations. After all, this is all about improving lives." Certificate in Orthodontics: Department of Orthodontics, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, 1980 DMD: University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL, 1977 BS: Natural Science & Mathematics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 1975 BS: Advertising, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 1969 Member: International College of Dentists, American Association of Orthodontists, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, Arizona Orthodontic Study Group, Arizona State Dental Association, Central Arizona Dental Society, Pierre Fouchard Academy Orthodontic Involvement & Awards: American Association of Orthodontists – Alternate Delegate (1996), Task Force on Endorsements (2001-02); Arizona Orthodontic Study Group – Board of Directors (1995-99), President (1997-99), Local Arrangements Chair for Annual Session in Phoenix (1999); Central Arizona Dental Society – Membership Committee (1987-91), Membership Committee Chairman (1990-91), Board of Directors (1991-94), Vice President (1996), President (1997-98), Nominations Committee (1999-2002), Bylaws Committee (2004-05), Bylaws Committee Chair (2005-06); Arizona State Dental Association – Membership & Membership Services Committee (1992-95), Delegate (1991-present), Membership Recruitment Task Force (1993-94), Council on Government Affairs (1994-2004); Phoenix College – Advisory Board for Dental Hygiene & Assisting Programs (1990-94); Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists – Strategic Plan Task Force (1992-93), Board of Directors Arizona Representative (1993-97), Strategic Planning Committee (1995-96), American Board Director Committee (2000), Secretary-Treasurer (2000-01), President-Elect (2001-02), President (2002-03), Nominations Committee Chair (2003-04), Awards Committee Chair (2003-04), Continuing Education Committee (2005-07), Nominations Committee (2005-06) Community Involvement: Brophy College Prep – Dads Club Board of Directors (1993-94), Chairman of Student Excellence Awards (1991-94); Phoenix Midtown Rotary Club – President’s Award (1991), Chairman of Dixieland Party annual fundraiser (1991), Sergeant-at-Arms (1994-97), Vice President (1996-97), President (1997-98), Fundraising Chair ((1998-99), Rotarian of the Year Award (1999-2000), Board of Directors (1999-2001); Sunnyslope High School – Interact Club Services Adviser (1994-95)