| Welcome. All you need to know about the WFO is only a click away. Do spend a moment searching our website. You can access details of affiliate organisations and locate WFO fellows. WFO members also have full access to the Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists. Click here to learn how to gain access. When your WFO subscription is due for renewal, it can easily be renewed online here. For those new to the website and who wish to seek membership, you can download an appropriate application form, whether you’re a qualified orthodontist or student. For a limited time period, the WFO Executive Committee is offering free membership to new student members. This offer will also extend to the first year post graduation when student members transfer their membership to full fellowship. This offer will terminate Sept. 27, 2016. The purpose of the WFO is to advance the art and science of orthodontics worldwide. This will be achieved through the following WFO objectives: 1. Encourage high orthodontic standards throughout the world. 2. Encourage and assist the formation of national orthodontic associations and societies. 3. When requested, encourage and assist the formation of national and regional certifying boards in orthodontics. 4. Promote orthodontic research. 5. Disseminate scientific information. 6. Promote appropriate standards of training and certification of orthodontists. 7. Act as a co-organiser of the International Orthodontic Congress, which is held every five years. The 8th International Orthodontic Conference (IOC) was held in London, UK, in September 2015. In excess of 5,900 delegates attended, representing 110 WFO affiliate organisations. More than 300 speakers gave educational lectures. The 9th IOC will be held in Yokohama, Japan, Oct. 4-7, 2020. Details can be accessed at http://www.wfo2020yokohama.org. This will offer fellows a wonderful opportunity to visit Japan and enjoy traditional hospitality. The IOCs require years of planning and enormous dedication from the host affiliate organisation(s). The proposal forms for hosting the 10th IOC (2025) will be sent to all WFO affiliate organization presidents in March 2016. The deadline to submit proposals is Dec. 31, 2016. The winning proposal will be announced at the President’s Breakfast at the Annual Session of the American Association of Orthodontists in San Diego, California, USA, in April 2017. The WFO was formed at the 4th IOC in San Francisco, California, USA, and 69 affiliate organisations became charter members. Since then, the WFO has grown to 112 affiliate organisations, representing almost 10,000 orthodontists who have become WFO fellows. WFO fellows receive the WFO Gazette twice a year with other membership benefits, including international orthodontic specialty recognition, reduced registration fees to WFO affiliate organisation meetings, and inclusion in the WFO International Orthodontic Directory. Take a moment to browse this website. It is full of useful information. Do feel free to contact your regional representative on the Executive Committee. The WFO is its fellows, and that is where its strength is. The WFO is yours --- be part of it! The Secretary-General and I can always be contacted though the Secretariat in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at WFO affiliate meetings. Dr. Allan R. Thom LLM [Law], BDS. (Lond)., FDS. (Eng & Edin)., M’Orth. RCS. (Eng). President
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