A New Year, A Clear Direction for Endodontics

As we begin a new year, it is both appropriate and energizing to look ahead—to consider where our specialty is going and how the American Association of Endodontists will continue to lead in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

The AAE enters 2026 with a new Strategic Plan for 2026–2028 that reflects thoughtful deliberation, broad input, and a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges and opportunities before us. Developed through focused work by the Board of Directors and refined with staff expertise, this plan provides a shared framework to guide our priorities, investments, and actions. Just as importantly, it ensures that the Association’s efforts remain aligned with our mission, values, and long-standing commitment to saving natural teeth.

First and foremost, the plan reaffirms our commitment to the public.
Our primary goal is clear: the public should prioritize saving their natural teeth and seek endodontists as their trusted choice for endodontic care. To achieve this, the AAE will continue to strengthen Worth Saving as our flagship public awareness campaign and expand education around oral–systemic health through A Healthy Mouth = A Healthier You. These efforts highlight not only the importance of tooth preservation, but also the specialized training and expertise endodontists bring to patient care. We will continue to elevate our digital and social media presence through high-impact content, member collaboration, and the thoughtful use of credible influencers. At the same time, the Association will be prepared to identify and address mis- and disinformation as it arises, helping to protect patients while reinforcing trust in the specialty.

Equally important is our focus on members.
The strategic plan recognizes that AAE members must continue to lead the advancement of endodontics. Over the next three years, we will sharpen and clearly communicate the value of AAE membership, strengthen leadership development and succession, and expand opportunities for collaboration, education, and engagement. The plan also places renewed emphasis on supporting educators and increasing the number of endodontists teaching at all levels, recognizing that education and mentorship are essential to sustaining the specialty and preparing the next generation of endodontists.

The AAE’s role as the leading authority for endodontic knowledge is another cornerstone of the plan.
We will continue to elevate and modernize clinical resources, ensuring that guidelines, position statements, and assessment tools reflect the highest level of evidence-based care. In parallel, the Association will strengthen its data infrastructure, collecting and analyzing practice and demographic data to better inform advocacy, education, and future planning. Supporting meaningful research and increasing member engagement with research outcomes remain central to this work, reinforcing the AAE’s role as a trusted source of scientific and clinical guidance.

Finally, the plan reinforces advocacy as a strategic priority.
The AAE will continue to advocate for evidence based, patient centered endodontic care by strengthening relationships with organized dentistry, regulators, and third-party payers. We will work to expand patient access to high-quality endodontic care, demonstrate the value of endodontist provided treatment across the oral health system, and ensure that our specialty’s voice is heard in discussions that shape the future of oral healthcare.

This strategic plan is not a rigid roadmap, it is a living framework. It allows the AAE to remain agile while staying anchored to our mission, values, and purpose. You will see it reflected in our programs, communications, advocacy efforts, and partnerships as we move forward.

As we enter this new year, I want to thank our volunteers, Board members, committee members, and staff for their dedication and leadership. Together, we are positioning the AAE, and the specialty of endodontics, for a strong, relevant, and confident future.

I wish you a healthy, successful, and fulfilling New Year.