The Forsyth Institute is pleased to introduce the International Orthodontics Foundation (IOF), our platinum sponsor for the upcoming Forsyth Orthodontic Symposium in Honor of Dr. Moorrees. We asked our partners at IOF to tell our readers a little bit about their organization and why this event is important for the field of orthodontics.
Q&A with IOF
Please tell us about IOF. What is your mission and purpose?
The International Orthodontics Foundation (IOF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving oral health worldwide through its training initiatives, funding of innovative research, and by connecting orthodontists and researchers with the world’s leading practitioners.
IOF is a truly inclusive organization. We are open to all nationalities and are the only global orthodontist network established in Asia, the fastest-growing emerging market for oral healthcare. We now have over 8,000 members located in more than 100 countries and regions across all continents, with a rapidly growing presence worldwide, particularly in North America and Europe.
Our long-term vision is to make the best orthodontics treatments accessible to people everywhere. To achieve that, we are committed to supporting and funding innovative research, providing quality training and education, and offering a platform for global knowledge exchange.
Why is this event important for the field of Orthodontics?
Dr. Moorees is a pioneer in the field of orthodontics. His contributions, such as the Moorrees mesh-diagram analysis and the establishment of norms of for the development of permanent teeth, to name a few, paved the way for modern orthodontics. Dr. Moorrees valued the importance of critical, scientific thinking in clinical problem solving, which is one of the core values at IOF.
We are excited and honored to sponsor such a prestigious establishment as Forsyth and would like to contribute in our way to the innovation of Orthodontics. The topics and speakers of this Symposium represent the values of IOF to connect, support, and facilitate innovative research in all aspects of orthodontics. That includes funding high-quality research worldwide and facilitating the transformation of research results into clinical practice, which advances the development of the industry.
What is IOF’s perspective on the state of Orthodontics today?
The orthodontic industry has seen some revolutionary changes over the last few decades. With the forthcoming maturity of clear aligners and new clinical treatments such as the Maxillary Skeletal Expansion, IOF wishes to embrace the new generations of orthodontists and scientists.
We also think the global orthodontics industry is in urgent need for new talents and innovation. Arguably, it has never been more urgent. The talent shortages and sheer lack of access to oral healthcare have been exposed and exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the US and across Europe, there are shortages of orthodontists working in the state sector. As well, many of the existing orthodontists are close to retirement. One consequence is that more dentists and orthodontists are being recruited from emerging economies, such as India, Egypt, and parts of Southeast Asia, thereby removing talent from those regions where there’s a critical need.
At the IOF, well before the pandemic, we saw that new treatments and technology are creating more options for patients and, therefore more demand. However, there is now a critical need to provide practicing orthodontists with access to the latest information about new technology along with other research and educational materials.
Knowledge exchange, clinical innovation, lifelong learning, and of course, research funding lies at the heart of the IOF’s drive to improve orthodontic care worldwide and make oral health available to all.
Learn more and register to attend Forsyth Orthodontic Symposium in Honor of Dr. Moorrees
