Volume 26 Issue 2 [ 2021 ] THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE WORLD FEDERATION OF ORTHODONTISTS WFO affiliate presidents gather via Zoom early 100 leaders of WFO affiliate groups met on Zoom on NMay 15 as part of the WFO’s observance of the annual World Orthodontic Health Day. The meeting was led by Dr. Nikhilesh R. Vaid, WFO president, and Dr. Lee W. Graber, WFO secretary-general. Each affiliate leader present introduced him or herself and offered warm greetings to everyone present, with many expressing delight at re-establishing contact with colleagues worldwide. The meeting reflected the camaraderie that typifies the WFO’s in-person gathering of worldwide orthodontic leaders. In non-pandemic years, the WFO hosts a breakfast in conjunction with the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Annual Session, that is attended by presidents of many affiliate organizations and is sponsored by the AAO. As they enjoy the WFO event, the leaders network with each other while The affiliate presidents’ Zoom meeting took the place of the annual in-person meeting at which affiliate leaders meet colleagues from around the world. learning more about the work of the WFO worldwide and how the WFO supports affiliate organizations. continued [ 3 ] Access worldwide orthodontic expertise on your device, at your convenience rom Airway & Orthodontics to Tissue Engineering, and from Adult FOrthodontics to Treatment Mechanics, wfoeducation.org addresses key topics in contemporary orthodontic treatment with lectures presented by world-renowned orthodontists and subject-matter experts. Development of the education website that the WFO launched earlier this year continues, with an organizational structure in place to accommodate new content that will be added in coming months. The site currently offers more than 130 world-class lectures originally presented during the recent virtual 9th International Orthodontic Congress. continued [ 4 ] wfoeducation.org users enjoy an excellent value, unlimited access to top-quality lectures with every subscription, high-resolution videos and convenient access to certificates following completion of lectures. IN THIS ISSUE WFO NEWS TO KNOW [ 2 ] DR. SKOULARIKIS ELECTED WFO VICE PRESIDENT [ 5 ] u Find more news online WFO AFFILIATE NEWS [ 6 ] www.wfo.org MEETINGS AROUND THE WORLD [ 8 ] WFO News to Know Brazilian orthodontic leaders prepare to “Embrace the World” Planning is underway for 10th IOC in Rio de Janeiro he 10th International Orthodontic Congress will be October The site of the IOC, the RioCentro Convention and Event Center, T8-11, 2025 in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The is the largest exhibition center in Latin America. The RioCentro Brazilian Association of Orthodontics (ABOR) will be co-hosting hosted events during the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2016 this event together with the WFO. The conference will offer an Summer Olympics and Paralympics and was the headquarters of opportunity to visit Brazil and experience the first ever IOC in the International Broadcast Centre for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. South America. Rio Offers Vast and Unique Natural Beauty Dr. Flavia Artese, chair of the 10th IOC Planning Committee During her presentation to the affiliate presidents, Dr. Artese and a member of the WFO Executive Committee, provided a showed photos of the beautifully designed convention venue. status report on the organization of the meeting during the In addition, she shared outdoor scenic views from Rio and WFO affiliate presidents’ Zoom meeting on May 15, 2021. surrounding areas. Organizers of the meeting have begun work on the lecture schedule, Visitors to the dynamic city enjoy seeing exotic plants and which will encompass dozens of clinical, scientific and practice flowers at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, first opened in management lectures as well as six keynote addresses and 24 1808, and the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban hand-planted forest presentations at the World Village, a popular feature at IOCs. in the world. From the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and The meeting will also offer a two-day program for allied health Sugarloaf Mountain towering over the city and surrounding team members (orthodontic clinical assistants, treatment landscape, to the world-renowned beach in Copacabana, Rio coordinators and technicians). combines unique recreational experiences with warm Latin “By 2025, we anticipate that an in-person meeting will be fully American hospitality. feasible, but we also understand that during the COVID-19 pandemic “We believe that IOC attendees will find enormous enjoyment the virtual meeting format has become extremely popular,” said in the natural beauty of our city, and we look forward to sharing Dr. Artese. “We look forward to welcoming as many international it with everyone,” said Dr. Artese. attendees as possible to Brazil but for those who feel unable to attend, there will be a virtual option. For the first time ever, the IOC will be Details of the 10th IOC, “Rio Embracing the World,” will be available an in-person and virtual hybrid meeting.” at www.wfo2025rio.org. Please visit the site regularly for updates. t RIO EMBRACING THE WORLD – UNIQUE EXPERIENCE IN CONTINUING EDUCATION [ 2 ] WFO News to Know WFO affiliate presidents gather… [ 1 ] During the Zoom meeting, Dr. Vaid welcomed organizations that Presidents Hear WFO Updates become affiliates of the WFO during 2020 and 2021, recognizing Following the introductions during the Zoom meeting, Dr. Vaid their presidents: provided a brief overview of WFO initiatives of the past year, u Vietnam Association of Orthodontists including: President: Dr. Hoang Thi Bach Duong u Work with the Japanese Orthodontic Society leadership to convert the 9th International Orthodontic Congress, which had been u Hungarian Orthodontic Society planned for October 2020 in Yokohama, Japan, to a virtual meeting; President: Dr. Peter Borbely u Mongolian Association of Orthodontists President: Dr. Bolormaa Sainbayar u Zimbabwean Society of Orthodontists President: Dr. Antony Chinhara � u Orthodontic Society of Kuwait u President: Dr. Hassan Hadi Abdal Establishment of the Society of Orthodontic Specialty Certifying Boards, which works to aid and support organizations worldwide seeking to establish orthodontic specialty certification. Learn more u Tunisian Society for Orthodontics Studies in the Spring 2021 issue of the Gazette, starting on page 2. President: Dr. Mohamed Ben Romdhane u Formation of a task force that will update the WFO Guidelines for Orthodontic Specialty Education that were first developed in 2003 and expanded in 2009. The international educator task Present and Past WFO Leaders Greet the Affiliate Presidents force began its work recently. Dr. Vaid also introduced fellow members of the 2020-2025 u Preparations now underway to launch a Global Education WFO Executive Committee, and past members of the Executive Forum and Directory, which is expected to include more than Committee who were in attendance. 3,400 orthodontic educators from 64 countries; In addition, he introduced past WFO presidents, each of whom u The spring 2021 launch of a worldwide continuing education participated in the meeting. website, designed to help WFO Fellows update scientific knowledge and excel at mastering the most advanced dental and orthodontic concepts. (See additional information starting on page 1.) u Continued excellence in scientific and clinical content publication in the Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists (JWFO). Learn more by accessing the the JWFO. u Initiation of support for the Brazilian Association of Orthodontics (ABOR), which is planning the 10th International Orthodontic Congress in Rio de Janeiro, October 8-11, 2025. (See additional information on page 2.) An additional key discussion point of the meeting was the need in many countries to help the public understand what the orthodontic specialty offers to patients, in terms of having the best qualifications The presidents include: and expertise in straightening teeth and aligning bites. u Dr. William DeKock, 1995-2000 “It will be helpful to the specialty worldwide if orthodontic u Dr. Lee W. Graber, 2000-2005 organizations utilize consistent messaging in our public information u Dr. Athanasios E. Athanasiou, 2005-2010 efforts,” said Dr. Vaid. “The WFO offers our assistance to all affiliates who would like help with message development to strengthen public u Dr. Roberto Justus, 2010-2015 awareness of the importance of receiving orthodontic treatment from u Dr. Allan R. Thom, 2015-2020 an orthodontist.” t [ 3 ] WFO News to Know Access worldwide orthodontic experties… [ 1 ] WFO Fellows and student members who registered for the virtual An Educational Resource for Your Allied Health Team IOC receive free access to wfoeducation.org. Reasonably priced In addition, your orthodontic employees can benefit from this subscriptions are available to non-registrants (see box below). educational site. The Allied Health Professionals section includes As you consider how to incorporate continuing education into your presentations for clinical practice and support staff and technicians. schedule, don’t overlook this outstanding opportunity and excellent In addition, while lectures are the key resource on the site, value from the WFO. Enjoy unlimited access with every subscription, the WFO Position Papers section makes helpful, downloadable high-resolution videos and convenient access to certificates following documents available to orthodontic leaders, educators and