Orthodontists from Australia have created their own society too called the ASO (Australian Society of Orthodontists). It is a professional organization for all orthodontists based in Australia.
ASO’s Main Objectives
One of the primary objectives of the society is to encourage and maintain the level of advancement of the field of orthodontics. They also aim to promote high and top notch professional standards for the greater benefits of dental patients all over the country.
Their other solid objectives include:
- To give greater credibility and uplifting character and have pure motives of every orthodontic expert;
- To further pursue the acceptance of the orthodontic practice in various avenues of medicine and dentistry;
- To establish a high sense of professional and ethical standards that would serve as the basis of every orthodontist in the nation;
- To render assistance to their members for further improvement and developmental activities in the orthodontics field;
- To encourage more affiliates for as long as they are one with the objectives of ASO;
- To keep the state branches updated with all the significant information and new learnings discovered about this field of study.
ASO’s Foundation For Research & Education
This was founded during the very first Australian Orthodontic Congress held in 1961. Its original aim was to support and push research studies about orthodontics and promote advancement in the education of various educational facilities that cover orthodontic courses.
When the foundation was formed, there were still no orthodontic courses offered in Australia. For the succeeding 40 years after that day, the Foundation has kept true to its goal of fulfilling success for orthodontic research and education. It has supported and initiated educational programmes which focused on teach orthodontics.
Prestigious Orthodontic Awards
They also initiated three major orthodontic awards such as the following:
The P Raymond Begg Research Award was made to give recognition to the most excellent research paper on the greatest significance of orthodontics in the society. It was first given out in 1980.
The 1st award of their research is started in 1982 but then renamed after Professor Elsdon Storey. He was a well-noted pioneer in the specialized work for orthodontics at the University in Melbourne.
The Rocky Mountain Orthodontics was made in memory of Sam Bulkley. This recognition was made to give the opportunity of travel to young and aspiring orthodontists in their pursuit of excellence in their chosen field. This award has sent numerous researcher and scholars from Australia who had the potential to excel and become expert orthodontics in the future.
The Fulfillment of the Foundation
The foundation was successful right from the time it started in supporting the idea of pushing orthodontic research and education in Australia. Now the foundation has the greatest source of financial aid and scholarships to students and researchers all around the country who have high interests in learning orthodontics.
Presently, the foundation has more capital base of $1,000,000 and all are just intended to support various educational grants and research.