The Future is Bright: April Farewell Message
This month’s Communique drops exactly two weeks from the beginning of AAE24 in Los Angeles. Registrations are trending towards another year of record or near record attendance. I am so excited for all this meeting has in store for us. Our Meetings Team has been busy making all of the final arrangements and rest assured, this will be a memorable gathering. The Annual Meeting Planning Committee and our track organizers have worked hard to create the educational programming and social events that draw us back year after year! Attendees will be energized by our Keynote Speaker, Sekou Andrews, and the Celebrate event at Universal Studios should not be missed!
This will be a bittersweet meeting for me, as my term a s AAE President comes to an end. It has been a year of travel, representing the AAE at dental meetings of every description, at AAE State Affiliate Meetings, at regional meetings, visiting residency programs, and even advocating for student debt relief, dental workforce support, and access to care on Capitol Hill. I have met so many interesting and accomplished people and have learned much along the way!
I have enjoyed my role of being the spokesperson for our specialty of endodontics in countless interviews, to further increase public awareness of the importance of saving the natural dentition and of the special knowledge, training, and skills that set endodontists apart from our generalist colleagues.
As I look forward to our annual Board of Directors meeting on the two days preceding AAE24, I am proud of what this hardworking body has accomplished, including the skillful update of the AAE Strategic Plan they completed this year. This plan will certainly facilitate our Core Purpose: to Advance the Art and Science of Endodontics and Promote the Highest Standards of Patient Care. I am excited about projects in the pipeline: the new Core Outcome Set, and the updates of Endodontic Diagnostic Terminology, the Guidelines for the Use of CBCT in Endodontics, and the Traumatology Guidelines. All will contribute towards enhancing our body of knowledge and improving patient care.
It will be sad when I have to say goodbye to the accomplished directors who are finishing their terms, but exciting to welcome the talented new directors who will be starting their terms.
I want to thank you, our members, for entrusting me with the privilege of leading our association this past year. This has been an unforgettable experience for me, both personally and professionally, and one I will always treasure.
The AAE General Assembly meets on the morning of April 19. At its conclusion I will pass the gavel to Dr. Natasha Flake, our incoming AAE President, with comfort of knowing that our association is in her extremely capable hands! The future of endodontics is indeed bright!