The Egyptian Orthodontic Society (EOS) has set many precedents since it formed in 1986. The EOS was the first dental specialty organization established in the Arab world and is a charter member of the WFO. The organization was also instrumental in the formation of the Arab Orthodontic Society in 1997.

Today, any qualified orthodontist is eligible to join the EOS. The organization has four membership categories:


1. active member: an Egyptian orthodontist who has a recognized degree of specialization in orthodontics (at least two years of study);

2. affiliate member: a qualified orthodontist who is not Egyptian and wishes to participate in the organization;

3. student member: any graduate student in any of the recognized orthodontic programs in Egypt; and

4. honorary life member: an orthodontist honored for outstanding achievement.

To date, the EOS has 126 active members and 25 student members.

According to Dr. Samir AboulAzm, president of the EOS, the main goals of the organization are to improve the level of orthodontic treatment delivered to the Egyptian population, to ameliorate the clinical performance and scientific level of Egyptian orthodontists, and to establish ongoing communications with other orthodontic societies to share new opinions and concepts.

Currently, the EOS is faced with two main challenges. The first challenge is the recognition of orthodontics as a specialty by the Egyptian authorities. The second challenge is to establish Board certification in Egypt.

"As the senior orthodontist in Egypt, I'm still looking forward to providing enough specialists for a population of over 60 million, along with the improvement of treatment strategy based on the specific needs and socioeconomic status of our society," said Dr. AboulAzm, who is a professor of orthodontics at the Alexandria University in Egypt.

To reach this goal, the EOS provides continuing education for its members. The next meeting will be held February 8-9, 2001, in Cairo. The program will feature both Egyptian and international speakers. EOS members will give short presentations of their work. The organization will also hold its General Assembly.

The last EOS meeting was held in conjunction with the 4th Arab Orthodontic Society Meeting in February 2000 in Cairo. More than 300 participants attended. The program covered several topics, including segmented arch mechanics, lingual orthodontics, cleft lip/palate management, esthetics, surgical orthodontics, and adult treatment.

The EOS officers are Dr. Samir AboulAzm, president; Dr. Ahmed Eid, vice president; Dr. Nagwa Enany, secretary; and Dr. Abbas Zaher, treasurer. Dr. Wageh Kadry and Dr. Ahmed El-Sayed are members of the Board.