Orthodontics is a recognized specialty for more than 100 years. In France, it was in 1921 that James Quintero founded the French Orthodontic Society. Other Societies were then created, bringing together practitioners who shared the same philosophy (diagnostic approach and clinical sequences) or the same quality objectives (study clubs), or who had in common their academic background.

These Societies joined forces within the French Orthodontic Federation in order to pool their strengths and better serve the profession.

The 9 societies originally brought together organized the Orthodontics Days, replacing the former “Small Session” of the SFODF, before structuring themselves as a Federation. Julien Philippe was its first President in 2001, followed by Pierre Planché and Gisèle Delhaye-Thépaut.

To date, 12 scientific societies, including the College of Teachers, are affiliated within the framework of this Federation.

Initially established as an association governed by the law of 1 July 1901 declared to the Paris prefecture on 3 May 2001 (OJ 2 June 2001), the French Orthodontic Federation was transformed by a decision taken on 20 October 2011 unanimously by its members into an economic interest grouping governed by Articles L. 251-1 and subsequent articles of the French Commercial Code and all subsequent texts, the first administrator of which was Olivier Mauchamp.

The French Orthodontic Federation serves Orthodontics and the Societies that comprise it, but its primary task is to organize and promote the Orthodontics Days.

Orthodontics Days:

For three days, it is the largest gathering of the entire profession: orthodontists, general practitioners practicing orthodontics, maxillofacial surgeons, prosthetists/orthotists, assistants, radiodiagnostic technologists, nurses, dental assistants, laboratories and suppliers are all there to share their passion and knowledge.

Thanks to the indispensable participation of suppliers, these events also include an exhibition that continues to grow, with 2,000 m2.

In 2013, 3,041 people attended to take part in 170 conferences and 17 hands-on sessions, some of which included simultaneous translation.

The sessions are very diverse, with pre-conference lectures where the most reputable international colleagues come to share their experience with all registered conference participants.

There are plenary sessions and workshops distributed across six rooms and auditoriums, offering dedicated days for assistants, orthotists/prosthetists, or other medical specialties that join us.

As with other medical specialties, these events evolve and include consensus sessions, interactive lectures where students at the end of their residency training are invited to present their thesis/dissertation work.

The future for the Federation:

The Federation, an ecumenical model of our scientific life and, within the framework of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), contributes to scientific progress and the recognition of the important role of our profession in healthcare.

A research assistance grant, a commission in charge of relations with the media and the general public to convey the image of our profession, regular scientific meetings—these are just a few of the tasks that are a source of pride for the French Orthodontic Federation.

Emmanuel Frerejouan
Federation Administrator