orld orthodontists have an excellent opportunity to increase good will among all men and all nations when they meet in London next month during the International Orthodontic Congress. Americans have as great a responsibility in this endeavor as do citizens of any other country, and their personal attitudes and behavior will be critical in bringing it to pass. It won’t be difficult to do, for sociability is one of mankind’s more attractive traits. Americans have a special responsibility; they have been envied because their national resources have made extensive technical innovations possible, un- impeded by bureaucracy, and over a long period of time. It, has permitted greater experimentation, variation, and precision in treatment procedures. Orthodontists in several countries have not been as fort,unate; social pressures for larger patient volumes have been so great that they have had to dc- velop procedures that may not be as precise but that are still quite satisfactory in treating malocclusion to an acceptable functional and esthetic result. They deserve commendation for doing so well under adverse conditions. Moreover, the day seems fast approaching when orthodontists everywhere will have to face the same social pressures, and these orthodontists will be fortunate in being able to turn to colleagues who have already solved so ma.ny of the problems involved in a mass orthodontic delivery program. It is possible that Americans are both envied and admired for their technical advances and for their willingness to share their knowledge and experience. Such an image is delicate; it can be destroyed by careless or thoughtless acts implying disint,erest or intolerance. Americans who do so deserve the term The Ugly dnzericnn. There may be honest differences, but other nationals have shown a greater interest in learning, for example, our methods with fixed appliances than we have in learning their methods with removable appliances. It won’t be long till they are the better men for it if Americans fail to learn from what is being accomplished in other countries. Many countries and cultures will be represented at the Congress, and it can be an exciting, new experience for every orthodontist if he chooses. Courtesy, consideration, and a sincere interest are all that it takes. B.P.D.

International relations, personal conduct, and the London Congress

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Page 1: International relations, personal conduct, and the London Congress

It won’t be difficult to do, for sociability is one of mankind’s more attractive traits. Americans have a special responsibility; they have been envied because their national resources have made extensive technical innovations possible, un- impeded by bureaucracy, and over a long period of time. It, has permitted greater experimentation, variation, and precision in treatment procedures.

Orthodontists in several countries have not been as fort,unate; social pressures for larger patient volumes have been so great that they have had to dc- velop procedures that may not be as precise but that are still quite satisfactory in treating malocclusion to an acceptable functional and esthetic result. They deserve commendation for doing so well under adverse conditions. Moreover, the day seems fast approaching when orthodontists everywhere will have to face the same social pressures, and these orthodontists will be fortunate in being able to turn to colleagues who have already solved so ma.ny of the problems involved in a mass orthodontic delivery program.

It is possible that Americans are both envied and admired for their technical advances and for their willingness to share their knowledge and experience. Such an image is delicate; it can be destroyed by careless or thoughtless acts implying disint,erest or intolerance. Americans who do so deserve the term The Ugly dnzericnn. There may be honest differences, but other nationals have shown a greater interest in learning, for example, our methods with fixed appliances than we have in learning their methods with removable appliances. It won’t be long till they are the better men for it if Americans fail to learn from what is being accomplished in other countries.

Many countries and cultures will be represented at the Congress, and it can be an exciting, new experience for every orthodontist if he chooses. Courtesy, consideration, and a sincere interest are all that it takes.

B.P.D.