The AAO Named Enrique Cruz, DDS, MSD, as a trustee-at-large, charged with bringing diversity of viewpoints to the board of trustees.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has approved the addition of Enrique Cruz, DDS, MSD, as a new trustee-at-large charged with bringing diverse viewpoints to the board.
A diverse board will improve the AAO’s ability to respond to external influences that are changing the environment in which our members practice, according to the association. Cruz was selected from a field of highly qualified applicants due to his proven leadership skills, vision for the AAO, and experience in organized orthodontics.
“Cruz will also bring valuable perspective to AAO leadership in light of his cultural background and experience in a multi-disciplinary practice model,” said Norman J. Nagel, DDS, MS, AAO president. “We are delighted to welcome him to the board of trustees.”
During the 2023 Annual Session Cruz will join the AAO Board of Trustees for a 3-year term.
Cruz opened his practice in Austin, Texas, in 2014 with his wife and fellow orthodontist, Mahya Farnia DMD, MS. He provides both orthodontic and periodontic services, having completed a 6-year residency program encompassing both orthodontics and periodontics at the Indiana University School of Dentistry.
In addition, Cruz is an associate clinical faculty member in the orthodontic residency program at the University of Texas – San Antonio.
Currently president-elect of the Texas Association of Orthodontists, Cruz was selected to participate in the 2022 Southwestern Society of Orthodontists Leadership Development Program. He previously chaired the SWSO Communications Committee and was responsible for reviewing, creating and developing content for social media and other online channels, to effectively engage members and the public. His practice’s social media pages have garnered more than 2 million followers.
Long active in political advocacy, Cruz joined the AAO Council on Governmental Affairs in 2022. A native of Mexico, Cruz has lectured on complex orthodontic/periodontic cases at the Mexican Association of Orthodontists Annual Meeting.
