The World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) formed on May 15, 1995, with the avowed purpose to "advance the art and science of orthodontics throughout the world." With that lofty phrase in place, the WFO has grown to 78 orthodontic societies and more than 4,300 individual fellows from nearly every corner of the world.

Can the WFO have an effect on orthodontic standards? Can the WFO assist in organizing orthodontic associations? Or is the WFO just a new organization requesting dues money and providing few or no benefits to the dues-paying fellows? The record shows "yes," "yes," and "no" answers, respectively, to these questions.

Since the initiation of the WFO, new orthodontic associations have been formed in Syria, Cyprus, Bangladesh, Uruguay and the Caribbean. In the meantime, initiatives to form organizations have been started in six other countries.

Fellowship in the WFO is limited to orthodontic specialists who are certified by each affiliated organization’s president. This has resulted in a standard of recognition that did not exist before in all countries. To qualify as an orthodontist or orthodontic specialist in a given country, a prospective fellow must meet the standard established in each country. When that standard is met, the individual presidents will certify the fellowship application with his or her signature. Qualifying committees have been established in some countries to assist the president with this important task.

The WFO’s governmental structure is composed of the General Assembly, Council and Executive Committee. To date, only the Executive Committee has functioned, providing management direction and interpretation of the WFO Bylaws as adopted by the chartering organizations in San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

In April 2000 during the 5^th International Orthodontic Congress (IOC) in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., the WFO Council and General Assembly will meet for the first time. To celebrate this important milestone, a special lecture will be open only to WFO fellows who attend the 5^th IOC.

The WFO Council will be composed of representatives from each country that represents the national organizations affiliated with the WFO. In addition, each regional association will have a representative, and 40 councilors will be selected at large, based on each affiliated organization’s pro-rata share of the total WFO fellowship.

During the meeting in 2000, the WFO Council will make the final decision on the election of Executive Committee members, will receive the financial reports from the secretary-general, and will establish standing orders and policies governing the work of the Executive Committee and the WFO. The Council will also be requested to act on several bylaw changes to improve the functions and representation of the WFO.

The 5^th IOC will be an important event in the growth of the WFO. The WFO will continue to meet every five years during the IOC meetings. In 2005, the 6^th IOC will be held in Paris, France, at Le Palais des Congrés de Paris. The IOC will not likely return to North America for many years. Actions taken in Chicago will set precedents for several years to come. These precedents will establish the WFO as a factor in the promotion of worldwide growth of the orthodontic specialty and advancing the art and science of orthodontics in every corner of the world.