# Who was the first certified specialist in orthodontics in the United States?

  # Who was the first certified specialist in orthodontics in the United States?

A. Edward H. Angle

B. Charles H. Tweed

C. Peter C. Kesling

D. John Nutting Farrar

The correct answer is B. Charles H. Tweed.

When Charles H. Tweed graduated from an improvised Angle course given by George Hahn in 1928, he was 33 years old, and Angle was 73. Angle was bitterly disappointed by the reception that had been accorded the edgewise appliance. He was infuriated and bitter about the modifications that were being made by several of his graduates (e.g., Spencer Adkinson). To him, it was obvious that something

had to be done if the edgewise appliance was to endure. 

Angle decided that an article describing the appliance must be published in Dental Cosmos. He asked Tweed to help him with the article because Tweed had just finished the Angle “course” and because he

admired and respected Tweed’s ability. For 7 weeks, they work together and in the process became close friends. During this time, Angle advised Tweed that he could never master the edgewise appliance unless he limited his practice solely to its use. Following the completion of the article for Dental Cosmos, Charles Tweed returned to Arizona and established in Phoenix what was probably the first pure edgewise specialty practice in the United States. 

For the next 2 years, the two men worked together closely. Tweed treatment planned and treated his patients, and Angle acted as his advisor. Angle was pleased with Tweed’s treatment and was instrumental in getting Tweed on several programs. During these 2 years, in a series of more than 100

letters that are now housed in the Tweed Memorial Center Library, Angle urged his young disciple to carry out two vital requests: (1) to dedicate his life to the development of the edgewise appliance and (2) to make every effort to establish orthodontics as a specialty within the dental profession.

Tweed followed Angle’s advice. First, he instigated the passing of the first orthodontic specialty law in the United States. He did this by canvassing patients, persuading dentists, influencing and arousing politicians, speaking at meetings, having petitions signed, and even taking patients before the legislature. In short, it was a one-man blitz. His untiring and relentless efforts were successful, and in 1929, the Arizona legislature passed the first law limiting the practice of orthodontics to specialists. Tweed received Certificate No. 1 in Arizona and became the first certified specialist in orthodontics in the United States.