Sociedad Argentina de Ortodoncia celebrates 65 years of service

The Sociedad Argentina de Ortodoncia (SAO) celebrated 65 years of service to its members in June 1998. Since its founding, the SAO has focused on the scientific improvement of orthodontics, defending the professional rights of its members, offering continuing education lectures, and promoting the union among all members of the SAO. Currently, the SAO has 1,000 members.

The SAO offers full-time specialization courses that focus on the clinical practice of orthodontics, as well as theoretical courses in orthodontics. The courses last two to three years. Since 1980, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has authorized the SAO to award the degree of Specialist in Orthodontics through its Board of Orthodontics Assessment.

In addition, the Society holds annual open courses that feature international lecturers. In June 1998 during the SAO’s 65^th anniversary celebration, Dr. Bjorn Zachrisson of Oslo, Norway, presented a lecture to 350 orthodontists from Argentina and neighboring countries.

Every seven years, the SAO traditionally holds the International Congress of Orthodontics (CIOR). The Society will host the 6^th CIOR June 21-25, 1999, in Buenos Aires in conjunction with the 7^th International Congress of the Asociación Latinoamericana de Ortodoncia. Dr. Vincent Kokich of Tacoma, Washington, U.S.A., is a featured speaker for this meeting.

To complement its continuing education efforts, the SAO publishes the journal Orthodontics to keep in touch with its members, universities and institutions in Argentina and Latin America. The SAO publishes two issues every year. The Society published the first issue in 1937.