Another indicator of a bright future came to light last summer at the joint meeting of the corporate community and our Directors of Advanced Education Programs in Endodontics.  we were able to share data from an AAE commissioned study by Fluent which demonstrated that endodontists had increased their share of endodontic procedures compared to those done by general dentists.  The same study showed the reverse trend among other dental specialties.  I would like to attribute this to the success of our public awareness campaigns.

Our public awareness campaign is related to one of our main strategic goals:  The public will value saving their natural teeth and seek endodontists, the specialists in saving teeth, for their care.

And my presidential year afforded so many opportunities to represent our specialty in the public arena.  AAE provides those of us in volunteer leadership with professional media training, which is so helpful when you function as the spokesperson for our specialty.  Misinformation and disinformation about endodontic procedures has a very long history.  I was aware when I started practice over 40 years ago when the very occasional patient would share a magazine article or cassette tape where someone was pushing long disproven claims based upon the focal infection theory, as well the alleged conspiracy of organized dentistry to suppress these “findings”. Today this is exacerbated by the fact that so many people get their “news” from social media, which often serves as an echo chamber for their own particular biases, and as an amplifier for misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories.  The association feels that the best strategy to counter misinformation is to keep emphasizing the positive messages regarding root canal safety, the value of saving natural dentition, and the special role of endodontists in saving teeth, relieving toothache pain and treating dental trauma.  This is why AAE presidents perform satellite media tours, which get these positive messages out to so many media outlets serving markets across the US, and conduct individual interviews through broadcast and print media.

I previously referenced the AAE Strategic Plan.  A proud accomplishment of this year was the successful update and approval of that plan by your AAE Board of Directors, who were greatly assisted by AAE’s amazing staff.

One goal from our previous plan, which focused on the dental profession as a whole, was expanded into two complementary goals.  One focuses on developing and maintaining a body of knowledge to advance the specialty and a second focuses on advocating for the best quality of endodontic care by utilizing that body of knowledge .  That body of knowledge will be enhanced by the Core Outcome Set being developed by an AAE committee, which will allow more homogeneity in endodontic studies and enable us to base our practices on a higher level of evidence.  We also expect the updated trauma guidelines and updated position statement on the use of CBCT to be released soon from their respective special committees.

AAE has been steadily increasing its emphasis on advocacy in recent years.  Our Advocacy Team monitors what’s going on at state and national levels, allowing the association to sign on to letters of support and engage in other lobbying efforts supporting legislation that benefits our patients, dental students and residents, our educator community, our members in private practice and the dental profession as a whole.  The Advocacy Team also represents our interests with other dental groups, dental insurance directors, dental service organizations, and anywhere where endodontics needs a voice.  I had the great experience of representing the AAE in the ADA Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill in March.  The association continues to bolster our advocacy team and prioritize their endeavors.

As a full-time educator it is my habit to attend the Annual Session of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA).

This year’s meeting was well attended by endodontic educators, many of whom attended an AAE dinner in their honor.  I enjoyed meeting members new to the educator community and catching up with old friends.

At this year’s meeting in New Orleans I saw the presentation of an ADEA plenary speaker, Mark Esposito, an notable author, Harvard professor, and expert on Artificial Intelligence and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which we are now experiencing.  He gave insight on how we as leaders in oral health care can prepare to thrive and work together with emerging technologies.  The takeaway was his sentiment that there is nothing to fear from Artificial Intelligence.   This was a comforting message in light of a news release I recently read a news story on the first complete dental procedure performed on a patient by a robotic device.  The JOE published a clinical report on endodontic microsurgery performed with an autonomous robotic system.  Virtual reality, robotics, artificial intelligence are all part of our futures.  I am optimistic about the future of endodontics, but know change is inevitable. We need to embrace change and make it work for us, so AAE staff and leadership strive to gain as much knowledge as possible on emerging technologies and their potential impact on our members.

Data from ADA’s Health Policy Institutes shows an increase in dentist associating with DSOs as well as a trend for dental specialists, including endodontists associating with private equity.   My attendance at the Dykema DSO Conference in July 2023 afforded an insider view of that industry.  After listening to panels representing private equity, I left the conference with the impression that there is little focus on the dentists they employ or for the patients that they treat.  Fortunately, AAE Leadership feels a responsibility to represent and support our members regardless of the practice model they choose.  We stay attuned to changes in technology, workforce, marketing and communication, and legislation.  Our association is nimble and responsive to our members’ needs.  Our professional staff and volunteer leadership keep our strategic plan up to date.

The AAE continues to have a strong presence on the international stage.  International organizations look to the AAE as world leaders in promoting quality endodontic care and as partners for collaboration on projects with global impact.  Dr. Flake and I attended the the ESE’s Biennial Congress in Helsinki in Sept. 2023., I had been invited to join a technology panel with colleagues from the UK and gave a requested presentation on AAE’s Case Difficulty Assessment Application.  At our annual sessions the AAE Executive Committee convenes a meeting with the leadership of ESE, IADT, IFEA, as well as those representing other organized endodontics in countries and regions outside of the US. AAE’s International membership has grown to 1,283, and 705 International members attended AAE24.

Behind the scenes, AAE had a successful launch of a new Association Management System (AMS).  The new AMS brings improvements that will improve our member experience and included (among other benefits) upgrades to the member portal, simplification of our membership renewal process, and aid in registration for AAE meetings.  These and other enhancements will facilitate AAE staff in performing their jobs and better serving the needs of our members.

My year as president of the AAE was an amazing experience.  I want to thank our members for entrusting me with this responsibility. I also want to say thank you again to AAE’s dedicated staff, headed by Executive Director Ken Widelka, for their hard work, their expertise, and for always making those of us in volunteer leadership look good. The future of endodontics is bright!