key: cord-0051071-si4jqg4b authors: Krishnan, Vinod title: As we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of our one and only international organization…… date: 2020-10-03 journal: J World Fed Orthod DOI: 10.1016/j.ejwf.2020.09.001 sha: 8cb76952598949ee746618c368df066b5a769555 doc_id: 51071 cord_uid: si4jqg4b nan As we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of our one and only international organization.. The World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO), a truly international organization embracing global orthodontics with more than 115 affiliates and 10,000 members, is celebrating 25 years of existence throughout the year 2020. Even though the idea of a unified global association was originated with the first International Orthodontic Congress (IOC) in 1926, it took 75 years to reach fruition. In 1995, the charter signing ceremony was held in San Francisco under the able leadership of William De Kock [1] . Since that time, the organization has met high expectations by advancing global orthodontic education while at the same time, helping affiliate associations establish the delivery of quality orthodontic treatment worldwide. Recognized as specialists around the globe, its members now collaborate and share their research as well as clinical expertise with numerous peer groups through modern vehicles of communication. The WFO, along with its affiliates is involved in organizing an International Orthodontic Conference (IOC), once in every 5 years. In turn, this meeting forms a platform for the global orthodontic gathering, information exchange as well as social activities. Initially planned to be conducted in Yokohama, Japan, the 9th IOC has now been reconfigured as a virtual meeting due to unprecedented circumstances directly related to the global pandemiceCOVID 19. Reminiscing, the specialty of orthodontics was built upon a strong scientific foundation provided by the 'tripod' of existence of any specialityegood schools, a modern journal, and an active world-wide organizationeall of them initiated by our pioneer pathfinders. The journey travelled by organized orthodontics through its 120 years of existence, though not a smooth sailing one, was initiated by Edward H. Angle in 1900. His introduction of a classification of malocclusion, though imperfect, was a good start. Through these many years the specialty has witnessed the rise and fall of various concepts, theories, diagnostic approaches, appliances and even retention strategies while considering growth as well as periodontal status of the individual patients. The early years of orthodontics as a specialty seemed to be bright with a blend of mechanics and biology. Research related to tissue reactions, root resorption, airway problems, growth, and the related response to orthodontic mechanics, were all investigated. The typical orthodontic curriculum included a thorough study of basic biology of human tissues. At one point in time, the entire focus of orthodontic treatment shifted to mechanics and cosmetology with less of attention paid to biology. Researchers interested in the 'biology of tooth movement' became mere scorekeepers of their personal game, such as the publication of papers and less contribution to actual clinical practice. Or in other wordseclinicians, being less receptive to basic findings worked in their 'comfort zone' saying that "what already existed works in my hands" [2] . New-age orthodontists are now presented with a myriad of choices when planning the treatment of patients with malocclusions, skeletal mal-relationships, and even aesthetic concerns. Without doubt, many of the new treatment options now include the use of temporary anchorage devices emphasizing the concept of absolute anchorage, methods to accelerate tooth movement like decortications and other modalities and precision attachments. The choices available may include aligners which have also improved the armamentarium for orthodontic care. In looking back, have these developments challenged the basic concepts of orthodontic treatment offering a new thought process to the specialty? Will such differences be able to withstand the test of time when based upon a strong scientific foundation? Have enough evidence-based data been generated to its propagation as a routine treatment modality to the orthodontic world? Newer technologies such as 3D imaging and CAD CAM facilities, artificial intelligence, precision attachments and customized brackets and archwires have all initiated a re-emergence of our specialty with new hopes but with a definite lack of in-depth research and analysis. The question that requires an answer now is this. e Are we being undermined as a E-mail address: jwfo@wfo.org. Editorial scientific specialty, expected to perform as in the past without adequate research outcomes? Does this new, modernized information environment provide sufficient research of high quality upon which to advance as a well-informed specialty? Is the specialty capable of bringing about this paradigm shift in orthodontic care? The Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists (JWFO), the official journal of WFO, through this special issue commemorating the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the organization and the 9th IOC, has gathered a number of eminent researchers and clinicians from around the world to communicate to our dear readers with new developments in the field along with future directions for research. The challenges, promises, and limitations of the current treatment modalities and the quest for further evidence-based research for laying down solid scientific foundations have been emphasized through the relentless writings of all our contributing authors. This issue is special with the combination of editors from other peer-reviewed orthodontic journals (H.S. Baik, Ambra Michelotti, Nikhilesh Vaid), experts in our field from around the world (William Brantley, Birte Melsen, Jonathan Sandy, Partick Turely, Joseph Ghafari and Sridevi Padmanabhan), and the 9th IOC chair (Takashi Ono) contributing with their unparalleled knowledge. Above all, we have a historical review of our own organizationeWFOeprepared by the principal office bearerseAllan Thom, Lee Graber, Amanda Maplethorp and Nikhilesh Vaid outlining the progress, contributions made by the organisation to the specialty of orthodontics along with its future directions. I take this opportunity to thank the associate editors (Shin-Jae Lee, Carlos Flores-Mir, Jae Park and Carlalberta Verna), Consultant editors (David Turpin and Anne Marie Kuijpers-Jagtman) along with the team at Elsevier (Jane Ryley, Melkis D'Silva and others) -in helping me complete the compilation of this issue on time. I am sure that all the articles included in this issue will generate thought-provoking discussions and elevate the scientific standards of our specialty. As rightly pointed out by Lysle Johnston e "orthodontics will become a multi-level calling, a pyramidal array ranging from cosmetology at the bottom to skilled, evidence-based practice at the peak". [2] It is a fact that to grow as a specialty and elevating the standards of our profession at par with any medical specialty, we need to provide evidence-based answers through high quality research including randomized control trials. I really hope the 9th IOC scientific deliberations and this special issue of JWFO will become the torchbearer for future evidence-based orthodontics ultimately satisfying the orthodontic care provider as well as patients in a more scientific manner. World Federation of Orthodontists: An orthodontic umbrella organization coordinating activities and pooling resources 21st century orthodontics: When everything works, can anything matter?