WFO Specialty Education Guidelines

These guidelines may be used as a minimum standard for developing and maintaining a satisfactory orthodontic specialty education program.

The objective of an orthodontic specialty education program is to produce graduates, educated under the direction of the Department of Orthodontics, who are proficient in the diagnosis, treatment planning and documentation of malocclusion and in the treatment of the full scope of orthodontic and dentofacial problems. These graduates will be prepared to provide service to their communities, their professional organizations and to practice with high ethical standards.

RESIDENTS

In order to be admitted to the program, a dentist must possess a DDS, DMD or similar dental education degree. Admission procedures should consider academic grades and test scores, as well as evaluation of goals and motivation.

PROGRAM DURATION

The program must be full time for at least 24 months and must include a minimum of 3700 hours of faculty-supervised instruction.

FACULTY

A dedicated faculty and program director are essential. The majority of the faculty must be graduates of orthodontic specialty education programs recognized in their region of the world. Appropriate faculty must be available to provide instruction in all required areas and to give full supervision of all clinical care.

CLINICAL CARE, STUDY AND RESEARCH FACILITIES

Adequate space for clinical care, storage of records, and research must be available for the program. Access to library and Internet data is essential.

REQUIRED CURRICULUM

1. CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Experience must include the diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical orthodontic care for approximately 60 new patients, representing the full range of cases treated in actual practice. These must include some patients needing multidisciplinary care, orthognathic surgery and patients with craniofacial problems. Patients should also include those needing growth guidance and long-term retention. Proficiency in the use of contemporary fixed and removable appliances is required.

2. BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
The following biomedical sciences should be included: Anatomy, Biostatistics, Embryology, Epidemiology, Genetics, Growth and Development, Histology, Pathology, Physiology, Psychology, and Research Methods.

3. CLINICAL SCIENCES
The following clinical sciences must be included: Biomechanics, Cephalometrics, Function and Occlusion, Imaging Techniques, Orthodontic Materials, Periodontics, Speech Pathology, and Retention and Stability.

4. RESEARCH
Participation in and understanding of research methods is required. Familiarity with the current and classic orthodontic scientific literature is important.

PROGRAM EVALUATION

Periodic review and evaluation of all aspects of the program are essential, both within the institution and by external examiners (accreditors). Such reviews should result in the necessary program improvements.