Foreword

This chronicle of the 50 year history of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons is dedicated to the founding fathers who recognized the need for an association of oral and maxillofacial surgeons and specialty organizations around the world, as well as those next leaders who continued to carry the torch, lighting the way for the specialty to flourish. These pioneers always understood the need to work together and that collectively, goals could be more easily achieved on a global basis.

It took the foresight of Fred Henny, of the American Association and Sir Terence Ward, of the British Association, who in 1962, while together at a meeting in London, began the construction on the foundation of a truly international organization. This international organization would prosper for years, but also see many challenges, some of which would threaten its very existence. The first such challenge was a lack of mutual understanding centering on the debate over whether medical qualification as well as dental qualification was required prior to surgical training. Unfortunately, it took most of the first 40 years sparring on this issue within the Association before a resolution was reached.

In 2001, it was finally decided through acceptance of the International Guidelines for Training and Education in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery that regional differences in training existed and were acceptable. This document stated that the actual surgical training in the oral and maxillofacial region was what qualified one to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, regardless of whether one had dental and/or medical qualification.

Despite these early differences, the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was established and quickly became the well-respected flagship publication of the Association. The IAOMS Foundation was chartered to fund much needed educational programs and projects to enhance the specialty.

The history of the first 40 years provides a backdrop that underscores how maturation of an international organization made of diverse members sharing a common cause can be slow to develop but once achieved, great progress can result and move forward to great effect.

The past ten years have shown the Association has flourished in many areas. Numerous courses on the basics of the specialty have been provided in developing areas of the world that otherwise lack formalized training programs. This has expanded the knowledge base by bringing education to those who need it most.

Surgical interest groups (SIGs) were established and fellowship training programs developed to further expand the surgical expertise of the specialty. The Association’s membership has seen a dramatic increase, now approaching 5,500 and much of that is a result of the IAOMS website and the Association’s ever-expanding presence in social media. Information must be readily accessible, precise and timely; and the Association is focused on providing such information.

The International Conference on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ICOMS) is held every two years and the recently concluded 20th edition of the event was held in Santiago, Chile, and proved to be one the most successful attracting more than 2,100 participants. The ICOMS is undoubtedly the flagship event of the IAOMS and is growing from strength to strength with member countries vying and competing with each other to host the event with great emphasis on scientific and social content. The next three meetings of the ICOMS are scheduled to be held in Barcelona, Spain; Melbourne, Australia and Seoul, Korea, respectively.

Future endeavors of the IAOMS are likely to include development of an international accreditation process and a board certification process for programs and practitioners who may not otherwise have access to these opportunities. An internationally organized humanitarian aid and disaster relief effort is also being investigated. These and other programs of the Association are dependent upon the many volunteers who for 50 years have dedicated themselves to the mission of creating a better specialty worldwide. Many of them are mentioned in this work but unfortunately, in a brief document such as this, some dedicated individuals will go unnamed. Our thanks go to everyone who has participated in the activities of the IAOMS since 1962.

This publication would not have been possible without the timeless dedication of Paul Stoelinga and John Williams. Their endless hours of research, securing of photographs, reminding regional reporters of deadlines and mind-numbing editorial review are tasks that few of us can appreciate. Without their diligence and adherence to strict timetables, this work might never have been finished. The IAOMS owes them a huge debt of gratitude for their efforts.

The next 50 years will surely see great achievements by the IAOMS. We know future generations will rise to the challenge and continue to strive for excellence in the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery and this Association.

Larry W. Nissen Kishore P. Nayak

President, 2010–2011 President, 2012–2013