About FAO
Your Professional State, Regional and National Organization
The Florida Association of Orthodontists (FAO) is the largest state association of the Southern Association of Orthodontists (SAO) and one of the largest component associations within the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). The FAO represents 697 members and 60 student members throughout the state of Florida. You become part of the FAO and the SAO when you become a member of the AAO.
Founded in 1940 by eight orthodontists headed by Drs. William “Billy” Buhner, Charles E. Harrison and Roy T. Bovard, the Florida Orthodontic Study Group has grown into the Florida Association of Orthodontists.
In 1954, the Florida Orthodontic Study Group became the Florida Orthodontic Society. University trained orthodontists, like Drs. Richard Starr, Robert Litowitz, Douglas Walter and Robert Helms, were instrumental in bringing new techniques to Florida patients.
The Society was renamed the Florida Society of Orthodontics and Maxillofacial Orthopedics in 1978 and came to its present Florida Association of Orthodontists in 1985 to better mirror the relationship of the FAO to the AAO and SAO.
From this small, dedicated group of orthodontists meeting in St. Petersburg to its present state, the FAO promotes increased public awareness of the need and benefits of orthodontic treatment and fosters the delivery of ethical, quality, professional orthodontic care. We are proud of our history, led by our remarkable past presidents, and invite you to join us!
The FAO and You
This committed group of professionals, elected by the general membership, also serves in various capacities within the SAO and AAO; working for the benefit of the public and the FAO membership.
The Florida Association of Orthodontists can be reached at 813-903-8811. The Executive Director is Lissette Zuknick.
FAO... By the Numbers
Executive Committee 2024‑2025
The FAO’s Executive Committee meets twice a year and via teleconference once a month to oversee association business, monitor operations, keep abreast of state and national legislation pertaining to orthodontics, and plan the annual state association meeting. This committed group of professionals, elected by the general membership, also serves in various capacities within the SAO and AAO; working for the benefit of the public and the FAO membership.
The FAO can be reached at 813-903-8811. The Executive Director is Lissette Zuknick, who can be reached at the number above or email lissette@faortho.org.
Dr. Arghavan Welch
President
11360 Legacy Avenue #120
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
561-627-3500
Dr. John Cordoba
Vice President
734 Sterling Center Place
Lake Mary, FL 32746
407-444-9960
Dr. Eddy Sedeño, III
Secretary-Treasurer
16375 NW67th Ave
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
305-822-6784
Directors
Dr. Andrew Brown
Director
2217 Kingsley Ave.
Orange Park, FL 32073
904-272-1165
Dr. Jodi Prine
Director
3308 W. Highway 390
Panama City, FL 32405
850-785-6400
Dr. Brett Lawton
Director
201 N. Lakemont Ave., Ste. 400
Winterpark, FL 32792
407-644-8242
Dr. Nick Mann
Director
5103 N Armenia Ave.
Tampa, FL 33603-1405
813-877-2333
Other Leadership
Dr. Thomas "TJ" Albert
Component Director
5641 Naples Blvd.
Naples, FL 34109
239-592-6300
Dr. John Beattie
AAO Delegates / Alternate from FL
960 Lake Baldwin Lane
Orlando, FL 32814
407-898-2901
Dr. James Wortham
AAO Delegates / Alternate from FL
1755 E Highway 50, Suite B
Clermont, FL 34711-5500
352-394-0100
Past Presidents
2023-24
Dr. John Metz
20743 Sterlington Dr.
Land O’Lakes, FL 34638
(813) 948-6389
