Strengthening Global Connections in Endodontics
Happy National Dentists’ Day on March 6! Though May is the month dedicated to AAE’s pinnacle public awareness event, Save Your Tooth Month, March also has its share of reasons to celebrate dentistry. National Dentists’ Day falls during Dental Assistant Recognition Week (March 2-8) – a perfect time to show appreciation for these essential professionals who help you and your patients each day. March 20 marks World Oral Health Day, aiming to empower people with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to secure good oral health. The global focus of World Oral Health Day is the perfect segue to this month’s theme: international endodontics.
Goal 2 of the AAE Strategic Plan is: The AAE will be recognized for providing an environment that is welcoming and supports the diversity of its members as leaders for the global advancement of endodontics. Reflecting on this, the AAE values our international members and relationships with endodontic organizations worldwide. Through joint initiatives, knowledge exchange, and shared advocacy, we are strengthening the specialty.
AAE Welcomes International Members
AAE warmly welcomes our International and International Resident members as a growing segment of our community. Collegiality is a core value of the AAE, evident in a friendly and inclusive professional culture characterized by fellowship and mutual respect. It is exciting and gratifying to witness the collegiality extended to AAE members globally. We were delighted to welcome over 700 attendees from outside of the US to AAE24 in Los Angeles and there could be even more at AAE25 in Boston.
AAE and IFEA: Hosting the World Endodontic Congress in 2028
In an exciting collaboration, AAE will host the 16th World Endodontic Congress of the International Federation of Endodontic Associations (IFEA) in 2028. Save the date for September 13-17, 2028, in New York City! The meeting will bring together endodontists worldwide, fostering innovation and advancing the field in one of the most vibrant and accessible cities in the world.
I had the honor of representing the AAE at the 14th World Endodontic Congress in Glasgow, Scotland, in September 2024. This prestigious gathering provided a platform for global leaders in endodontics to exchange ideas, highlight emerging research, and discuss the future of the profession. AAE and IFEA leaders discussed opportunities for collaboration, and AAE joined IFEA in promoting and celebrating World Endodontic Day on October 16, 2024.
AAE and IADT: Working Together on Dental Trauma
This past July, AAE leadership participated in the 23rd World Congress on Dental Traumatology, organized by the International Association for Dental Traumatology (IADT). Discussions centered on strengthening collaboration between our organizations, particularly in promoting best practices for managing traumatic dental injuries. In 2023, we partnered with IADT on a patient-focused article about knocked-out teeth.
AAE was proud to support the establishment of Global Dental and Oral Trauma Day on September 21, an IADT-led initiative to raise awareness about prevention and treatment of dental trauma worldwide. Further, AAE members have served in key IADT leadership roles, underscoring our shared commitment to improving patient outcomes in dental traumatology.
AAE and ESE: Collaborating on Endodontic Diagnostic Terminology
AAE and European Society of Endodontology (ESE) have convened a Joint Special Committee to Update Diagnostic Terminology. The committee is reviewing the current diagnostic terminology, adopted in 2009, and aims to propose updates based on current research and clinical practice. We look forward to disseminating the committee’s work through opportunities for stakeholder input in the coming months and in the literature.
The past year has been one of growth and global engagement. Through ongoing partnerships with international organizations like IFEA, IADT, and ESE, the AAE is shaping the future of the specialty, ensuring that endodontists everywhere have access to the latest knowledge and techniques to provide the best patient care.
As we look ahead to AAE25 in Boston, I encourage our international members to take full advantage of this opportunity to engage with colleagues from around the world. Whether it’s attending cutting-edge educational sessions, networking with fellow endodontists, or sharing insights that strengthen our specialty globally, your voices and experiences are invaluable. If you’re planning to attend, I’d love to connect—please don’t hesitate to reach out or introduce yourself at the meeting. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected endodontic community, and I look forward to continuing this important work with all of you!