World Federation of Orthodontists guidelines for postgraduate orthodontic education

Abstract

Advanced dental education programs in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics require an extensive and comprehensive evidence-based experience, which must be representative of the current didactic and technical advancements. Over the past 25 years, the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) has placed emphasis in the support for the recognized orthodontic specialty training programs in every region of the world. In its early years, the WFO developed general principles for specialty education that culminated in the first comprehensive curriculum recommendations, i.e., the WFO Guidelines for Postgraduate Orthodontic Education, which was published in February 2009. In view of the significant changes in the specialty of orthodontics, the WFO has revised and updated its previous document to reflect the expanded scope and demands of current orthodontic education and practice. The members of the task force participated in a thorough revision of the guidelines and created a new document that takes into consideration the didactic, clinical, and the appropriate physical facilities to provide clinical care, study, and research areas. Although it is recognized that there will be variations in teaching and faculty assets, as well as facilities, access to materials, and equipment, the aim of the WFO Educational Guidelines is to provide the minimum program requirements necessary to provide orthodontic specialty residents the educational experience that prepares them to deliver the best level of orthodontic treatment for their patients. It is recommended that these guidelines be used universally by orthodontic specialty program educators and related educational, scientific, and administrative institutions to evaluate and compare their curriculum to a world standard.