The WFO Committee on National and Regional Orthodontic Boards met on May 4 during the 2018 American Association of Orthodontists Annual Session (May 4-8). The meeting was attended by representatives of the 19 orthodontic specialty boards that have volunteered to participate in the WFO Committee on National and Regional Boards.
The National Boards committee has been active since 2005, organizing meetings and successful symposiums at the 7th and 8th International Orthodontic Congress meetings held in Sydney and London, respectively, with the goal of supporting board certification initiatives in WFO affiliate countries.
During the meeting in Washington, two WFO leaders who have worked extensively to further the goals of the National Boards committee were recognized. Dr. Nikhilesh R Vaid, chair of the committee, announced the presentation of “plaques of recognition” to Drs. Justus and Turpin. Dr. Allan Thom, WFO president, presented the plaques to the two Board certification leaders on behalf of the WFO Executive Committee.
Dr. Justus is the immediate past president of the WFO. A Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics since 1990 and recertified in 2001, Dr. Justus has served as a professor of undergraduate orthodontics at the Technological University of Mexico since 1973. He is also the professor and director of research in the Graduate Department of Orthodontics at the Intercontinental University, a position he has held since 1990. He is the founder of and examiner for the Mexican Board of Orthodontics, and he has served as an examiner/consultant for the ABO Clinical Examination since 2002. Dr. Justus is the past president of the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics and of the Foundation of the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics. He currently serves as a reviewer for the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO).
Dr. Turpin is the current Moore-Riedel Professor in the University of Washington Department of Orthodontics and has been on the UW faculty since 1971. He is also currently Editor Emeritus of the AJO-DO, having served as the editor-in-chief of the AJO-DO from 1999 to 2010 and as the interim editor-in-chief from 2013 to 2014. During his tenure he wrote and published six editorials on board certification. A diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and the 2015 recipient of the ABO Albert H. Ketcham Memorial Award, Dr. Turpin served as a board member of the American Association of Orthodontists from 1999 through 2010 while he was Editor-in-Chief of the AJO-DO. He was also a Member of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Orthodontists from 2010 - 2015.
In presenting the plaques to the two honorees, Dr. Thom said, “Without the dedication and support of Drs. Justus and Turpin, the National and Regional Boards initiative would never have been as successful as it now is. The incentive for recognition as a board certified orthodontist is now sought after in many regions of the world. Such certification brings quality assurance to patients.”
Dr. Allan Thom, WFO president
(right), presents a recognition
plaque to Dr. David Turpin during
the Orthodontic Boards Committee
meeting. Click here to return to the
News page and view a photo of
the presentation to Dr. Roberto
Justus.