Share in the energy of a worldwide celebration of the orthodontic specialty’s ability to create beautiful, healthy smiles. The WFO initiated World Orthodontic Health Day on May 15, 2017, also establishing that date going forward as an annual worldwide day to celebrate orthodontic treatment.
On the first WOHD last year, WFO affiliates and university programs in many countries hosted professional events and scientific seminars, conducted local public outreach and educated local adults and children about orthodontic treatment.
“Based on the positive feedback that we received last year, we anticipate that many affiliate organizations will offer interesting programs for colleagues in orthodontics and for the public,” says Dr. Allan R. Thom, WFO president. “We encourage offering donated orthodontic services or consultations as well as outreach to local media outlets to build awareness about the specialty of orthodontics among those who could benefit from treatment. For orthodontists, World Orthodontic Health Day is a way that we can all share our commitment to our professional specialty and fellowship, even when we are far apart geographically.”
The concept for World Orthodontic Health Day was originally developed by the WFO Promotions Committee under the leadership of Dr. Nikhilesh Vaid, chair, with Dr. Ricardo Machado Cruz and Dr. Yanheng Zhou. They are WFO Executive Committee members for Central and East Asia, Central and South America and Central and East Asia, respectively.
“We would like to remind everyone that we have posters for World Orthodontic Health Day available to assist with promotions,” says Dr. Vaid. “Three posters that we offered in 2017 are still available and we have added five new ones for 2018. Simply click on the link and download as many posters as you would like to use. Also, please use the logo that was especially designed for World Orthodontic Health Day. The logo and posters may be used for all print and digital marketing of the day and to promote planned events with printed fliers, social media posts, etc.”
▪ Access World Orthodontic Health Day Posters
▪ Access the World Orthodontic Health Day Logo (available in five file types)
As soon as possible after celebrations conclude, WFO Fellows and affiliate organizations are encouraged to email their event reports and photographs to wfo@wfo.org. Also, they may discuss the day and share information and ideas with peers via the WFO Facebook page.
“We would also like for everyone to be aware that those attending the WFO President's Leadership Breakfast meeting in Washington, D.C. on May 6 (during the American Association of Orthodontists Annual Session) will receive a lapel pin created especially for World Orthodontic Health Day,” says Dr. Vaid. “We look forward to hearing about each group’s plan for observing this day of international celebration of orthodontics.”
Pictured: Leaders and members of the Taiwan Association of Orthodontists met recently to plan the TAO's World Orthodontic Health Day celebration.
Pictured: India planned contest
