Forensic odonto-stomatology is a small but very significant multidisciplinary field comprising Odontology and Medicine as part of the natural sciences and Law as part of the social sciences. The Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) has been responsible for the international promotion of Forensic odonto-stomatology since 1968, as it has included this area of dentistry in all FDI activities. According to the recommendation given by the Federation Dentaire Internationale, Forensic odonto-stomatology is listed as a stand-alone course in the curricula of Dental Schools around the world, and students of major dental schools acquire certain knowledge and skills in the field of Forensic odonto-stomatology.

It was the beginning of the 1970s that led to the popularization of Forensic odonto-stomatology at colleges, which is why, in addition to educational activities, the research activities of teachers and students in the field of Forensic odonto-stomatology began. A few years after the decision of the FDI to include Forensic odonto-stomatology in its regular activities, the pioneers of Forensic Odontology at the International Organization for Forensic Odonto-Stomatology (IOFOS) met to organize themselves. They have decided to use well-defined, deliberate ways of working that are well-aligned with the objectives. Besides, they elected Professor Gustafson from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden as the first president of IOFOS, 1973. Over the past half-century, the IOFOS has prospered and grown into a strong international organization with goals pursued by all past presidents: to provide a liaison between societies of (legal) forensic odontology on a global basis, to promote goodwill, advancement and research in forensic odontology, to publish a newsletter on a regular basis.

With all these goals, over the years, the IOFOS has initiated the publishing of the scientific Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology (JFOS). Since 2017 the IOFOS has been the organizer of major international conferences that have been held independently under the patronage of IOFOS at various world destinations.

This year, IOFOS celebrates 50 years of its leadership in the field of forensic odonto-stomatology in the world (1973 - 2023).