President’s Message: February 2025

If endodontists are asked, “What does the Foundation for Endodontics do?” most could answer with “supports research, education, and access to care,” and they would be correct. Funding projects for research, education, and assisting marginalized populations are noble projects at the core of what the Foundation has evolved to do. But several years ago, when I began volunteering with the Foundation, I started to wonder if there was a direct way to support clinicians.  

Most endodontists are working in the trenches, interacting with patients to expertly and efficiently relieve their pain and suffering, and allowing people (and sometimes animals) to preserve their natural dentition. Now as the Foundation President, I know we can do more. We can support you, the endodontist, in innovative ways that may include direct to consumer marketing, artificial/augmented intelligence office integration, and health and fitness outside of the office space. To brainstorm and prioritize the endodontist, the role of the Foundation’s Resident Expert Advisory Council (REACH) has been expanded to a special committee, chaired by our new practitioner trustee, to explore how we can include caring for the endodontic practitioners into the Foundation’s mission statement. We will never stop supporting key elements that allow Endodontics to remain a vibrant specialty. I look forward to witnessing how this special committee, comprised of future endodontists, promises to help keep the Foundation relatable. If you are a clinical endodontist who has an idea to share with REACH, please contact Foundation staff at foundation@aae.org.