The World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) proudly hosted its inaugural Orthodontic Educators Forum, a historic gathering dedicated to advancing orthodontic education worldwide. Over 500 educators from around the globe joined this unique platform to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and inspire one another in shaping the future of the specialty worldwide.
The Forum opened with a warm welcome from Dr. Letizia Perillo, the WFO’s 2025-30 president, who emphasized the pivotal role of educators in advancing orthodontics. “Every advancement in our field begins with committed educators who mentor, guide, and inspire the next generation,” she said. Dr. Perillo introduced Dr. Eric Liou, Chair of the Education Committee, who outlined the scope and initiatives of the WFO Education Committee, followed by Dr. Takashi Ono, lead author of the WFO Guidelines for Postgraduate Education. Dr. Ono highlighted the significance of this landmark work.
A highlight of the Forum was the presentation of the first-ever WFO Awards for Excellence in Orthodontic Education, recognizing outstanding educators whose leadership, mentorship, research and innovation have had a global impact.
Scroll of Honor: Dr. Anne Marie Kuijpers-Jagtman
Dr. Kuijpers-Jagtman studied the biology of orthodontic tooth movement, cleft lip and palate and 3D-imaging during her 30 years as a faculty member at the Radboud University Medical Center in The Netherlands, before becoming a senior faculty member/educator at the University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Orthodontics, in Groningen, The Netherlands.
WFO Outstanding Educator Awards
Dr. Seung-Hak Baek
Dr. Baek is a professor in the Department of Orthodontics at Seoul National University, a prolific speaker and researcher, and a past president of the Korean Association of Orthodontists and the Korean Cleft Lip and Palate Association. He is an associate editor of Orthodontic and Craniofacial Research and the AJO-DO Clinical Companion.
Dr. Sunil Kapila
A professor and the Dr. Thomas R. Bales Endowed Chair of Orthodontics at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Dr. Kapila’s U.S. National Institutes of Health-funded research focuses on the hormonal basis for TMJ degeneration. He has published two textbooks, Current Therapy in Orthodontics and Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Orthodontics.
“Every advancement in our field begins with committed educators who mentor, guide, and inspire the next generation.”
– Dr. Letizia Perillo
Dr. Stella Chaushu
Dr. Chaushu is vice dean, professor, and chairperson of the Department of Orthodontics at the Hebrew University – Hadassah School of Dental Medicine. She pioneered immunorthodontics, exploring the interplay between innate immunity and bone remodeling. Dr. Chaushu serves as associate editor of Seminars in Orthodontics, Progress in Orthodontics, and the Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists (JWFO), and on the Editorial Board of the AJO-DO.
In honor of the late Dr. David Turpin, a visionary leader in orthodontic education and long-time editor-in-chief of the AJO-DO, the WFO established a lecture and award for the Educators Forum to honor his legacy. Dr. Carlos Flores-Mir, ftom the University of Alberta, delivered the inaugural lecture, “Orthodontic Education: Challenges and Hopes,” exemplifying Dr. Turpin’s values of excellence, innovation, and dedication to nurturing future educators.
Outstanding Educator Award recipients, Dr. Seung-Hak Baek, Dr. Sunil Kapila and Dr. Stella Chaushu are pictured with Drs. Nikhillesh Vaiid and Letizia Perillo.
Short Presentations Session
The Forum also featured a dynamic Short Presentations session, showcasing innovative approaches and best practices in orthodontic education:
- Dr. Daniela Garib, University of São Paulo – From Tradition to Innovation: Shaping Excellence in Orthodontic Education
- Dr. Sath Allareddy, University of Illinois Chicago – Current Landscape in Orthodontics Residency Education in the USA
- Dr. Sumit Yadav, University of Nebraska – AI and Research Landscape in Orthodontics The Forum concluded with a celebration of collaboration, innovation, and global connections among educators
