Thank you for your comments (Turpin DL. Editor’s comment. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2010;137:578) on my Guest Editorial in the May issue (Berkowitz S. The need to establish an on-line cleft palate teaching program for orthodontic residents and practicing orthodontists. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2010;137:577). A Craniofacial Anomalies and Special Needs Symposium is an excellent tool to improve the education of orthodontic residents and current practitioners in the treatment of children with special needs.

The American Association of Orthodontists appointed a task force to plan the symposium, and I disagree with the selection of some appointments. The task force should consist of orthodontists with international reputations for excellent clinical research and reporting, including J. Daniel Subtelny, Karin Vargervik, Russel Long, and myself from the United States; Hans Friede from Sweden, now living in Madison, Wisconsin; William Shaw from England, Gunvor Semb from Norway, and Birte Prahl-Andersen from Holland. These people are truly experts and knowledgeable.

I write this letter because I strongly believe that honest and knowledgeable cleft palate clinicians, when teamed together, can come up with the proper teaching system. Unfortunately, I know of no other US orthodontists who can properly do the job required to reach the goals of this mission.