Disclaimer: Beware of emails from WFO officers asking for financial assistance or posing as being stranded in situations that require urgent help. These are phishing/hacking activities. WFO officers will never email you for any assistance of this kind.

First Meeting of the WFPOS

During the 8th International Orthodontic Congress®, approximately 80 orthodontic student members attended the first meeting of the World Federation of Postgraduate Orthodontic Students (WFPOS) on Sept. 28. The meeting included three scientific lectures and the election of the WFPOS officers. The WFPOS is open only to WFO student members, who may join for free.

The meeting drew orthodontic students from all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Japan, India, Korea, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Spain and France. “It was a great experience for each of us to get to know each other and to share our thoughts,” said Dr. Karolina Kaczor-Urbanowicz, the WFPOS president. With the approval of the WFO, Dr. Kaczor-Urbanowicz founded the organization in 2014 in an effort to unite postgraduate orthodontic students.

Dr. Ali Darendeliler of Australia, Dr. Marco Rosa of Italy and Dr. Jay S. Bowman of the United States presented the scientific lectures. “We were really excited to hear their presentations, especially since the lecturers were chosen by us, students from all over the world,” said Dr. Kaczor-Urbanowicz, who is originally from Poland. “Their invaluable input during our first luncheon meeting left a long-lasting and treasured memory of the beginning of our newly established WFPOS.”

Following the lectures, Dr. Roberto Justus, the 2010-2015 president of the WFO, spoke to the WFPOS members. “Prof. Roberto Justus gave a wonderful speech for us,” Dr. Kaczor-Urbanowicz said. “We were strongly affected by his warm words directed especially to us. We highly appreciate the fact that, although he had so many duties, he found time to attend our meeting!”

The group then elected the first officers of the WFPOS. In addition to Dr. Kaczor-Urbanowicz, Dr. Radost Velikova and Dr. Keti Yovcheva, both of Bulgaria, are councilors. “Our executive committee is intensely working on the bylaws of our organization, which is the major goal for the near future,” Dr. Kaczor-Urbanowicz said. “We are still in the process of assigning further positions within our executive committee. We are also developing and improving the methods of encouraging more students to become members, as well as organizing our next major student meeting.”

Dr. Kaczor-Urbanowicz also noted that the WFPOS, which has more than 400 members, has initiated cooperation with the European Postgraduate Students Orthodontic Society.

She fully appreciates the support the WFO has given orthodontic student members, which has allowed the WFPOS to flourish.

“I was really thrilled when Prof. Roberto Justus and Prof. Allan Thom mentioned our newly established WFPOS organization during the 8th IOC WFO Session, thus proving how really important students are for the WFO!” she said.

The WFPOS members are also grateful to Dr. Jonathan Sandler, chair of the 8th IOC, and to Dr. Roberto Justus, for their enlightening and inspiring words about the establishment and development of the WFPOS. “They not only stimulated our further interest in the field of orthodontics but, through the process of this meeting and our discussions, also provided prudent and pointed guidance. They also enabled us to organize our first meeting. We are pleased and honored to have their continued support, ” said Dr. Kaczor-Urbanowicz.