AAO leaders, many members and orthodontists worldwide were saddened to learn that journal editor, orthodontic educator and leader, Dr. David L. Turpin, passed away on May 29 at age 87 in Tacoma, Washington.
After retiring in 2014, Dr. Turpin held the title of editor emeritus of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO). He served as the editor-in-chief of the AJO-DO from 1999 – 2010 and as the interim editor-in-chief from 2013 to 2014 (following the death of Dr. Vince Kokich). In conjunction with his AJO-DO position, Dr. Turpin served as an ex officio member of the AAO Board of Trustees from 2000-2010 and from 2013-14.
Well-known to orthodontists worldwide, Dr. Turpin was widely regarded for his passion for learning and helping others, and for his kind, humble, open-minded, collaborative, and intellectually honest personality and approach to work.
A native of Iowa, Dr. Turpin completed his dental degree at the University of Iowa and served in the U.S. Navy after graduating. He completed the orthodontic residency program at the University of Washington before entering private practice and beginning his academic career at the University of Washington.
In private practice for more than 37 years, Dr. Turpin was a clinical faculty member in the orthodontic department at the University of Washington in Seattle. He held the Moore/Riedel Professorship in the department from 2010 – 2019, after which he retired from teaching. His many awards included the AAO James E. Brophy Distinguished Service Award (2007), the American Board of Orthodontics Albert H. Ketcham Memorial Award (2015) and the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Lifetime Achievement Award (2011).
Prior to his editorial position with the AJO-DO, Dr. Turpin served as editor of The Angle Orthodontist and the PCSO Bulletin, a publication of the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists that includes clinical and research content. His publications included 34 scientific articles and 135 AJO-DO editorials. He also delivered 155 lectures over the course of his career.
In addition, Dr. Turpin was the associate editor of the World Federation of Orthodontists Gazette and was a member of the WFO Executive Committee from 2010 – 2015. In 2024, the WFO announced that its First Global Orthodontic Educators Forum will take place In October 2025, during the 10th International Orthodontic Congress in Rio de Janeiro. The forum will feature a lecture named in perpetuity in honor of Dr. Turpin, in recognition of his service to the specialty worldwide and to the WFO.
Dr. Turpin is survived by his loving wife, Judy, their three children, Barbara, Paul and Matthew, and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to the Turpin-Huang Endowed Program Support Fund in Orthodontics at the University of Washington, or the Wayside United Church of Christ in Federal Way, Washington.
The family is planning a memorial service for Dr. Turpin at the Wayside United Church of Christ on Saturday, July 12 at 2 p.m., and provided additional information about Dr. Turpin HERE.
