Mission & History
Mission:
The mission of the American Association of Orthodontists is to advance our members’ success through education, advocacy, and research that drive excellence in patient care.
Purposes:
- To promote the highest standards of excellence in orthodontic education and practice.
- To encourage and sponsor research to advance the science and art of orthodontics.
- To educate the public about the benefits of orthodontic treatment.
- To provide advocacy and services that benefit the members’ pursuit of professional success.
Vision Statement:
All orthodontic care is provided by qualified specialists who successfully address patient needs.
Core Values:
- Our members come first.
- We are inclusive.
- We are data-driven.
- We seek active engagement.
- We are ethical.
History:
Read these articles on the history of orthodontics and the dental specialty of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
Orthodontics In 3 Millennia.
Reproduced from American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Vol. 127, Number 2, Wahl, Norman, “Orthodontics in 3 millennia. Chapter 1: Antiquity to the mid-19th century,” pages 255-259, © 2005 with permission from The American Association of Orthodontists.
Reproduced from American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Vol. 127, Number 4, Wahl, Norman, “Orthodontics in 3 millennia. Chapter 2: Entering the modern era,” pages 510-515, © 2005 with permission from The American Association of Orthodontists.
Reproduced from American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Vol. 127, Number 6, Wahl, Norman, “Orthodontics in 3 millennia. Chapter 3: The professionalization of orthodontics,” pages 749-753, © 2005 with permission from The American Association of Orthodontists.
Reproduced from American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Vol. 128, Number 2, Wahl, Norman, “Orthodontics in 3 millennia. Chapter 4: The professionalization of orthodontics (concluded),” pages 252-257, © 2005 with permission from The American Association of Orthodontists.
Reproduced from The American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics; Milton B. Asbell, D.D.S., M.Sc., M.A.; “A Brief History of Orthodontics,” August 1990, Vol. 98, Number 2, pp. 176-183 and September 1990 Vol. 98, Number 3, pp. 206-213, with permission from Mosby-Year Book, Inc.