Three members of the WFO Executive Committee complete five years of service

The 2nd Meeting of the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) marked the installation of the new WFO Executive Committee, as well as the end of the terms of several individuals who have served on the WFO Executive Committee for the past five years. The WFO recognizes the contributions of Dr. Takayuki Kuroda, Dr. Per Rygh and Secretary-General Ronald Moen, who have all completed their service on the WFO Executive Committee.

Dr. Takayuki Kuroda of Tokyo, Japan, is a professor of orthodontics and chairman of the Department of Maxillofacial Orthognathics and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Function at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Prior to this position, he served as professor and chairman of the Second Department of Orthodontics at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University. His primary research focus is the effect of growth and development on orthodontic treatment for patients with birth defects and developmental anomalies. He has written more than 200 papers and 22 books. Dr. Kuroda is also active in the Japanese Orthodontic Society and is a board member for several organizations, including the Tokyo Orthodontic Society and the International Association for Dental Research.

"My involvement in the WFO has given me a great chance to learn many important issues, which I did not know before," Dr. Kuroda said. "Especially, I learned that big differences exist in orthodontic curriculum all over the world."

In the future, he hopes the WFO can hold more activities and can assist WFO affiliated organizations by arranging seminars. Dr. Kuroda also hopes that the WFO can eventually establish a global standard for orthodontic curriculum.

Dr. Per Rygh of Bergen, Norway, is professor emeritus of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Bergen in Norway, where he served as a full professor since 1976 and as chairman of the department. His primary research focus has been on tissue reactions to orthodontic tooth movement with more recent emphasis on the reasons for root resorption, as well as treatment of cleft lip and palate patients. He has written more than 60 publications and 15 chapters for international textbooks. He is also the past president of the European Orthodontic Society.

Through his service in the WFO, he has seen the need for this worldwide organization. He notes that the WFO enhances the presentation of research from all over the world, as well as the harmonization of orthodontic education, the establishment of common criteria for acceptance as a specialist in the field, and the development of national specialist organizations.

"The WFO has created a new consciousness in dentistry worldwide that orthodontics is a specialty that needs a full-time educational university program of three years, not only for the quality of clinical work but also for the ability to obtain quality research results."

Dr. Rygh plans to follow the development of the WFO and appreciates the opportunity he had to serve on the WFO Executive Committee.

"The sincere friendships that have developed between the members of the Executive Committee to me indicates the improved possibilities for all members of the organization to meet and become friends with colleagues from all corners of the world," Dr. Rygh said.

Ronald Moen of St. Louis, Missouri, USA, has passed his responsibilities as secretary-general on to Dr. William DeKock, immediate past president of the WFO. Moen is the executive director of the American Association of Orthodontists and has been involved with the WFO from its beginning. Although he will no longer have direct involvement in the WFO, he will still supervise the staff of the organization as the WFO Secretariat is housed in the AAO Central Office in St. Louis.

"As secretary-general of the WFO, I had the opportunity to meet some really wonderful people from around the world and to see the enthusiasm and dedication to high quality orthodontic care," Moen said.

He is pleased with the WFO's accomplishments, which include the growth of the membership to more than 5,000 fellows, the creation of orthodontic organizations in countries where there were none before, and the increased level of cooperation among the orthodontic groups.

"I think the WFO promotes an exchange of ideas around the world and encourages people to look at the contributions of individuals from all countries," Moen said. "The WFO also helps to improve the orthodontic care provided to patients. The fact that more orthodontists are traveling to various countries for national meetings helps foster more research, dialogue and improvement of the specialty. I am pleased that the AAO continues to seek lecturers from outside North America for its Annual Session. This further advances the goals of the WFO."