At the AAO, we believe that diversity is our strength. We are pleased to announce that the AAO has approved the addition of a new Trustee-At-Large who will bring diverse viewpoints and strengthen the team. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Enrique Cruz to the AAO Board of Trustees!

A diverse Board will improve the AAO’s ability to respond to external influences that are changing the environment in which our members practice. Dr. Cruz was selected from a field of highly qualified applicants due to his proven leadership skills, vision for the Association of the future, and experience in organized orthodontics.

“Dr. Cruz will also bring valuable perspective to AAO leadership in light of his cultural background and experience in a multi-disciplinary practice model,” said AAO President, Dr. Norman J. Nagel. “We are delighted to welcome him to the Board of Trustees.”

For these reasons and more, during the 2023 Annual Session Dr. Cruz will join the AAO Board of Trustees for a three-year term. Learn more about AAO governance and leadership here.

Meet the Incoming Trustee-At-Large: Dr. Enrique Cruz of Austin, Texas
Dr. Cruz opened his practice in Austin in 2014 with his wife and fellow orthodontist, Dr. Mahya Farnia. He provides both orthodontic and periodontic services, having completed a six-year residency program encompassing both orthodontics and periodontics at the Indiana University School of Dentistry.

In addition, Dr. 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, Dr. Cruz was selected to participate in the 2022 Southwestern Society of Orthodontists Leadership Development Program. Dr. Cruz 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, Dr. Cruz joined the AAO Council on Governmental Affairs in 2022. 

A native of Mexico, Dr. Cruz has lectured on complex orthodontic/periodontic cases at the Mexican Association of Orthodontists Annual Meeting. His conference lecture history also includes a presentation on diameter of mini-implants at the 2012 AAO Annual Session. He has published research on this topic in the AJO-DO.*

In the fall of 2021, Dr. Cruz shared his experiences with the AAO for an eBulletin feature in conjunction with Latino and Hispanic Heritage Month.
View the Article, “Serving Patients and the Specialty Via a Multi-Cultural, Multi-Specialty Practice.”

* Liu SY, Cruz-Marroquin E, Sun J, Stewart KT, Allen MR. Orthodontic Mini-Implant Diameter Does Not Affect In-Situ Linear Microcrack Generation in the Mandible or the Maxilla. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. December 2012, Volume 142, Issue 6, Pages 768-773