CHICAGO, IL, USA — Plans for the upcoming 100^th Annual Session of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and the 5th International Orthodontic Congress (IOC) are under way. These historic meetings, which will include the first full meeting of the WFO, will run from April 28 through May 3, 2000, at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

An international scientific program will be the main component of these meetings. Numerous concurrent lectures will serve as the backdrop for the scientific program for orthodontists, which will include basic science and clinical techniques to the latest in new computer-assisted technologies. Scientific posterboard exhibits, table clinics, a roundtable discussion breakfast and special sections for research presentations will also be part of the scientific program.

As previously announced in the WFO Gazette, an international scientific advisory committee is helping to develop the program. Initially focusing on program content, the committee developed a list of prospective topics that will appeal to and encourage the world orthodontic community to participate.

The scientific advisory committee has also made its recommendations regarding the selection of speakers. As part of this process, leaders of WFO affiliated organizations submitted names of individuals from their organizations who might contribute to the scientific program.

"With the wealth of talented speakers we have had submitted to us, we could easily fill twice the programming time we have available," said Dr. Lee Graber, co-chair of the doctors' scientific program.

Affiliated organizations have also submitted names of prospective contributors for the scientific posterboard exhibits, table clinics and the roundtable discussion breakfast. Each of these presentation formats lends itself to the participation of WFO members. These presentations are outstanding opportunities for those who have limited English language skills. They also allow orthodontists to present work previously shown within a single organization’s meeting to both the WFO and AAO membership at large. Table clinics appeal to those who wish to share material and to discuss their work with meeting participants. Both table clinics and scientific posterboard participants will be eligible for awards.

Individuals selected for the lecture program will be asked to participate in the roundtable discussion breakfast. This presentation format is unique as it allows for sharing and discussion with colleagues to a greater degree than the other segments of the program. The preparation of presentation materials for a roundtable discussion breakfast is limited, which is appealing to those who do not have access to materials for slides and posterboards.

As the 100^th AAO Annual Session and the 5^th IOC approach, WFO fellows can look to the WFO Web site for up-to-date information and registration forms. The AAO’s Web site, located at http://www.aaortho.org, will also serve as an informational resource. The next issue of the WFO Gazette will contain more information on the applications for participation in this joint meeting. Nevertheless, prospective WFO presenters for table clinics, scientific posterboard exhibits, the roundtable discussion breakfast and oral research abstract presentations are advised to plan now and watch for the Invitation to Participate that will be available at the 1999 AAO Annual Session in San Diego, California, U.S.A. It will also be mailed in the summer of 1999. The Doctors' Preview Program will be mailed in November 1999 to all WFO fellows. Additional copies of the Doctors' Preview Program will be sent to all presidents of the 78 orthodontic societies that are affiliated with the WFO.

There will also be a comprehensive program for orthodontic staff members, which will run concurrently with the 5^th IOC. WFO fellows who are interested in bringing members of their staff should request the Staff Preview Program from the WFO Secretariat in November 1999.

All attendees at the 5^th International Orthodontic Congress will also have an opportunity to help celebrate the beginning of the American Association of Orthodontists' (AAO) 100^th anniversary. Several special events will be held to celebrate this milestone. The AAO was founded in May 1900 in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.

Professor Takayuki Kuroda, a member of the WFO Executive Committee, and Professor Gakuji Ito, president of the Japanese Orthodontic Society, peruse the WFO Gazette during the WFO Breakfast at the 98th Annual Session of the American Association of Orthodontists in May.

Dr. William DeKock, president of the WFO, addresses fellow members during the WFO Breakfast. The 98th AAO Annual Session took place in Dallas, Texas.