A Consensus Builder at the Helm: Meet AAE President Dr. Craig Noblett

When Dr. W. Craig Noblett reflects on his path to leadership, one theme rises above the rest: collaboration. Over decades of service in organized dentistry, academia, and clinical practice, he has developed a leadership style rooted not in directive authority, but in bringing people together.

“I’ve come to realize how important it is to build a consensus among the members of your group,” he says. “So that everybody is on board with decisions that are made.”

That philosophy now guides him as he steps into his role as President of the American Association of Endodontists.

A Career Shaped by Service and Experience

Dr. Noblett’s leadership journey has been anything but linear. A graduate of the UCLA School of Dentistry, he earned his master’s degree and certificate in endodontics from the University of Iowa before building a career that spans private practice, hospital dentistry, and academia.

Along the way, he has served as president of multiple organizations, including the Berkeley Dental Society and the Northern California Academy of Endodontics, and held leadership roles with the California Dental Association and the American Board of Endodontics.

“I have a pretty good mix of different leadership roles,” he says, reflecting on years of involvement across organized dentistry.

Today, he serves as Director of the Division of Endodontics and Graduate Program Director at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry—roles that continue to shape his perspective as both an educator and leader.

An Unexpected Path to Endodontics—and Academia

Interestingly, neither endodontics nor teaching were part of Dr. Noblett’s original plan.

“If you told me when I graduated from dental school that I was going to end up being an endodontist, I would have laughed all the way out the door,” he says.

Initially interested in oral surgery, his path shifted during a general practice residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he found himself performing more root canals than anticipated. That exposure sparked a growing interest that ultimately led him into the specialty.

His journey into academia followed a similarly organic trajectory.

“I never came into this thinking I would be teaching ever, let alone full-time,” he says. “I always thought my strength was a one-on-one patient care clinical practice.”

Yet teaching opportunities continued to present themselves throughout his career, eventually leading him to full-time academia—a transition made easier by years of consistent part-time involvement.

Shaping the Next Generation

As an educator, Dr. Noblett is deeply focused on preparing residents not just to perform procedures, but to think critically and act ethically.

“I think some of the biggest priorities for me are to teach our students to be independent thinkers and problem solvers,” he says.

Equally important is instilling a strong ethical foundation.

“I try to instill in them… ethical behavior—ethical treatment of their patients,” he explains, noting that leading by example is key.

This emphasis reflects his broader belief that the future of the specialty depends on clinicians who can navigate complexity with both skill and integrity.

Innovation with Intention

From emerging technologies to evolving treatment philosophies, Dr. Noblett sees tremendous opportunity in the future of endodontics—but he also emphasizes thoughtful adoption.

“You need to put technology to work for you rather than you working for it,” he says of new technologies.

Rather than chasing trends or succumbing to peer pressure, he encourages practitioners to critically evaluate whether innovations align with their practice philosophy and standards of care.

“Don’t try to make it fit if it doesn’t seem to fit naturally,” he adds.

At the University of Minnesota, he is helping lead research into groundbreaking advancements such as dental MRI technology—an innovation that could transform diagnostic capabilities by allowing clinicians to visualize soft tissue, including potentially the pulp itself.

“That’s going to be our Holy Grail,” he says.

Advocacy and Engagement: A Call to Action

For Dr. Noblett, involvement in organized dentistry is not optional—it’s essential.

“If you’re not at the table, you’re going to be on the menu,” he says.

He stresses the importance of ensuring that endodontists have a voice in shaping the policies and regulations that impact the profession.

“If we don’t take care of our profession, someone else is going to do it for us,” he says.

This belief is already influencing how he mentors residents, encouraging them to engage in advocacy early in their careers through experiences like legislative visits and organized dentistry initiatives.

Priorities for the Year Ahead

As AAE President, Dr. Noblett is focused on two key areas.

First, maintaining strong momentum in advocacy.

“We need to stay on top of that… we need to be aware and we need to be engaged,” he says, referencing the importance of monitoring legislative activity and strengthening grassroots involvement.

Second, addressing a growing challenge within the specialty: the shortage of full-time educators.

“If we don’t start cultivating new educators… we’re going to run out of endodontists at some point,” he warns.

He hopes to identify and address the barriers that discourage endodontists from pursuing academic careers—ensuring the sustainability of training programs and the specialty itself.

Rooted in Mentorship and Balance

Dr. Noblett credits much of his success to early influences, especially his parents.

“My dad is a general dentist… that’s where my interest in dentistry came from,” he shares, noting the impact of working in his father’s practice.

His mother, a teacher and active volunteer, helped shape his commitment to education and service.

Beyond dentistry, he values time spent traveling, practicing photography, and enjoying life with his golden retriever, Wrigley—a nod to his years in Chicago. Looking ahead, he even has plans for a post-retirement pursuit.

“I am planning on getting my sommelier certification when I retire,” he says.

A Collaborative Vision Forward

As he begins his presidency, Dr. Noblett brings a steady, thoughtful approach shaped by decades of experience—and a clear belief in the power of collaboration.

Whether advancing advocacy, strengthening education, or guiding innovation, his focus remains the same: bringing people together to move the specialty forward.

And in that sense, his leadership philosophy is as practical as it is enduring—build consensus, and progress will follow.

 

Elisabeth Lisican is assistant director of communications & publishing for the AAE.