The purpose of the WFO is to advance the art and science of orthodontics throughout the world. As stated in the WFO Bylaws, the WFO purpose will be accomplished by fulfilling the following objectives: 1. Encourage high standards in orthodontics throughout the world; 2. Encourage and assist in the formation of national associations and societies of orthodontists when requested; 3. Encourage and assist in the formation of national and regional certifying boards in the field of orthodontics when requested; 4. Promote orthodontic research; 5. Disseminate scientific information; 6. Promote desirable standards of training and certification for orthodontists; 7. Organize the International Orthodontic Congress to be held at least once every five years.
History
The concept that was developed for the WFO was based on the fact that the national and regional orthodontic societies throughout the world would know who their orthodontic specialist members were and would be willing to validate that credential in order for the individual to become a Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists. Sixty-eight national and regional orthodontic societies from sixty-two countries joined with the AAO to sign the charter of the WFO at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco on May 15, 1995. The Herbst Theatre had been the site, fifty years earlier when the United Nations charter was signed in 1945 following World War II. The WFO website is wfo.org. The organisation celebrates 15 May as the World Orthodontic Health Day, where importances of Orthodontic treatment by a qualified specialist orthodontist is emphasised around the world. The current executive of the WFO consists of Dr Allan Thom President, Dr. Amanda Maplethorp Vice President, Dr. Lee GraberSecretary General, Dr. Tom Ahman, Dr. Ricardo Cruz, Dr. Jonathan Sandler, Dr. Panagiotis Skoularikis, Dr. Joseph Bouserhal, Dr. Nikhilesh Vaid, Dr. Yan heng Xhou, Dr. Himawan Halim, Dr. Keiji Moriyama and Dr. Takashi Ono, Dr. Jorge Faber is the Editor of the JWFO. The WFO publishes a Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists and organises an International Congress every five years.The 9th IOC will he held in Yokohama,Japan in 2020. Initially, the WFO Executive Committee focused the WFO and its resources towards the importance of recognizing the orthodontic specialist in every corner of the globe as an important provider of orthodontic care. Several WFO affiliate organizations recognize different levels of the providers of orthodontic care, but in order for an orthodontic organization to be affiliated with the WFO its bylaws must provide a specific membership category for the “orthodontic specialist” or “orthodontist.” Only an orthodontic specialist is eligible to become a WFO Fellow. This ensures that all WFO fellows are recognized in their country as having had additional training so as to be entitled to use the term “orthodontist” or “orthodontic specialist.” Each WFO affiliate president certifies this specialty status when he or she signs the membership application of his or her organization’s member to become a WFO Fellow. A WFO Fellow receives the WFO Gazette twice yearly mailed to an office or home as a benefit of membership in the WFO in addition to receiving discounted registration fees to the IOC and several annual meetings of WFO affiliates. A WFO Fellow may also display the WFO certificate of membership and the WFO pin. The WFO website, www.wfo.org provides a directory of its membership so that anyone searching for an orthodontist can be assured that an orthodontist listed in the directory has the necessary training and experience to provide high-quality orthodontic care.
