AOS MEMBERSHIP NEWS William Wyatt Dies at 97 The American Orthodontic Society 2024-2025 Officers & Directors President Greg Cannizzo, DDS President-Elect Gregory T. Jeneary, DDS Vice President Gary Schulman, DDS Dr. William E. Wyatt, Sr., a pioneer in orthodontics and general dentistry, died at the age of 97 in Glen Rose, TX, on July 22. According to AOS Executive Director Nate Porter, Wyatt was “surrounded by the love of his family” at the time of his passing. “Dr. Wyatt's legacy extends beyond dentistry,” Porter wrote in a letter to AOS members. “His global impact was profound.” Wyatt began his professional jour-ney in dentistry, and he quickly recog-nized a need for orthodontic knowl-edge among general and pediatric prac-titioners. In 1956, he successfully treated his own nephew's malocclusion using self-learned techniques. The experience led Wyatt to limit his prac-tice to orthodontics in 1970, when he began focusing on preventive, intercep-tive treatments, TMJ disorders, and functional corrections that addressed issues like inefficient breathing and facial structure narrowing. As a dental missionary in Nigeria’s Bade region for three years, Wyatt and a local colleague delivered comprehensive dental care—including essential orthodontics—to an underserved popu-lation, treating residents and even digni-taries, such as the prime minister's daughter and the nation’s chief justice. Back in the United States, Wyatt contin-ued to innovate, advocating for a collab-orative dental ecosystem in which general dentists could diagnose and refer patients appropriately to avoid undiag-nosed pain from TMJ-related issues. A founding member and past presi-dent of the American Orthodontic Soci-ety, Wyatt was instrumental in the organization's creation, promoting certification and mentorship for dentists interested in basic orthodon-tics. In early 2024, the society opened its first training center, naming it the William E. Wyatt Center for Orthodon-tic Education. Wyatt won two Cooley Awards from the Texas Dental Association for preven-tive orthodontics, the AOS Moore Lifetime Achievement Award, an AOS 50 Years of Service Medal, nomination as Texas Dentist of the Year, and fellowships in the American College of Dentists and Interna-tional College of Dentists. He also served as President of the Fort Worth Dental Soci-ety and as a delegate to both the Texas and American Dental Associations. In retirement, Wyatt created orthodontic and TMJ educational videos from his Texas ranch, which he shared with his devoted wife, Winnie Wyatt. Wyatt shared the videos free of charge via his YouTube channel and website, www.williamwyattsr.com. The resources have drawn viewers from more than 116 countries, with many fans offering messages of gratitude and praise. Wyatt preserved an extensive archive of case studies, slides, and x-rays, each captur-ing stories of transformed lives—chil-dren gaining confident smiles and adults finding lasting relief from chronic pain. Outside of his dental and orthodon-tic career, Wyatt served as a U.S. Marine, Boy Scout leader, and city councilman. He was nominated Citizen of the Year by the city of Hurst in Texas. His family, including children who embody his spirit of lifelong learning and challeng-ing the status quo, remember him as a man at peace with a life richly lived. As Wyatt once reflected, "I would’ve died with this in my own brain, but it’s out now. It’s all over the world... and I can die, but it’s going to live." Many of Wyatt’s videos and JAOS articles are available at www.aosinsti-tute.com/aos-journal. Secretary-Treasurer Brian Vierthaler, DDS Immediate Past President Susan B. Tiede, DDS Board of Directors Bernardino Elizondo, DDS Shohreh Sharif, DDS Andrey Horton, DDS Coty M. Shores, DDS Matthew S. Standridge, DDS, FAGD Jose E. Turcios, DDS William E. Wyatt, Sr., DDS – Emeritus Board of Examiners Jordan Balvich, DDS – President Azita Annissi, DDS Clark Hunstad, DDS Jana Olster, DDS Debra Ettle-Resnick, DDS Allan Rottberg, DDS Executive Director Nate Porter JAOS Editor Greg Cannizzo, DDS 28 Summer 2025 JAOS
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Summer 2025: Page 28
