News & Announcements

Dr. William H. DeKock of Cedar Rapids, IA, USA, received the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Iowa June 9, 2007. Dr. DeKock, secretary-general of the WFO, received his bachelor’s degree from the university in 1960. In 1963, he graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and, in 1967, earned his master’s degree in orthodontics from the university. The award recognizes his professional achievements and distinguished service to his community, state and nation.

The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) celebrated a century of British orthodontics December 5, 2007, at its London headquarters. The British Society for the Study of Orthodontics was founded in1907; Dr. George Northcroft, a Harley Street and London Hospital dental surgeon, encouraged the formation of this group. The group held its first official meeting December 5, 1907. The BOS officially formed July 1,1994, when five national orthodontic societies united. During the recent celebration,Dr. Iain Hathorn, chairman of the BOS, explained how the BOS would further preserve the history of the specialty, noting:  “As part of the celebration of the centenary since the foundation of the British Society for the Study of Orthodontics in 1907, the BOS Archive and Museum Committee is building up a central electronic record of contemporary and historic records of clinical cases and techniques. Records of many techniques and appliances may be lost as members retire and discard old records.”

In addition, the BOS recently collaborated with a group of orthodontic consultants to produce the DVD “A Patient Guide to Orthognathic Surgery.” The DVD incorporates interviews with patients, as well as animations, to explain the treatment.Orthodontist Dr. Tania Murphy of Sheffield, United Kingdom,inspired the creation of this DVD. Three years ago, Dr. Murphy, who had orthognathic surgery and kept a diary of her experience, gave the presentation “TheDiary of an Orthognathic Patient aged 30 3/4” at the British Orthodontic Conference. After hearing her insight and tips for patients, her colleagues decided to create the DVD. The DVD includes an interview of Dr. Murphy. The BOS is now selling the DVD to consultants, surgeons, orthodontic specialists and patients.  

On March 30, 2007, the Indian Orthodontic Society (IOS) celebrated the inauguration of the new IOS head office at the Bapuji Dental College and Hospital in Davangere, India. Sri S.S. Mallikarjun, former Minister of Youth Services and Sports, Government of Karnataka and Joint secretary, Bapuji Educational Association, conducted the inauguration.

The Saudi Orthodontic Society held its 2nd Annual Scientific Orthodontic Meeting November 6-7, 2007, at the Alhamra Sofittel Hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The keynote speakers were Dr. Bryan Williams, a pediatric dentist and orthodontist in the Department of Dental Medicine at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, USA; Dr. Joseph Ghafari, professor and head of orthodontics at the American University of Beirut and the Lebanese University; Dr. James Hartsfield Jr.,professor and director of oral-facial genetics at Indiana University School of Dentistry; Dr. Gaby Bahri, adjunct clinical professor at Jacksonville University School of Orthodontics; and Dr. Rabab Feteih, professor of orthodontics at King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry in Jeddah. The meeting was divided into four different scientific sessions. The speakers discussed a variety of topics, including microimplants, early orthodontic treatment, evidence-based orthodontics, distraction osteogenesis and rapid canine distraction. Dr. Williams led a post-congress session Nov. 8. This session focused on early infant orthopedics and nasoalveolar molding for infants with complete clefts of the lip, alveolus and palate.

Please share your news with the WFO Gazette. Send the information to Jessica Kassel at the World Federation of Orthodontists, 401 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141-7816. Her e-mail address is jkassel@aaortho.org.