Albert Ketcham Award was established by the organization in 1935 to give the highest recognition to an individual in Orthodontics.

In 1950, American Dental Association recognized ABO as the official certifying agency of the specialty of Orthodontics in the United States.

Charles H. Tweed was the first certified orthodontist in the United States and Martin Dewey was the first Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.

In 1950, ABO required graduates from residencies of orthodontics to present 15 cases and a thesis to get board certified.

[2] The society also confers awards every year which are presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of orthodontics.