AAE Secures Critical Policy Wins at the Annual ADA House of Delegates Meeting
AAE members serving in the ADA House of Delegates:
Drs. Najia Usman, Blake McKinley, Ammon Anderson, Deborah Bishop, Alejandro Aguirre, Afshin Mazdeyasnan, Angela Noguera, Shaun Whitney, Adrienne Korkosz, Emad Bassali, D. Gregory Chadwick, Joseph Platt, Monique Belin, Amro Elkhatieb, Robert Roda, Thomas Brown, Robin Nguyen, Robert Hanlon, Michael Korch, Mitchell Greenberg, Kevin Bryant, Alana Humberson, Dustin Reynolds, Tadros Tadros, and Bethany Douglas
While the ADA does not allocate designated seats for specialty societies in the House, the AAE is fortunate to have 25 members serving as delegates and alternate delegates for various ADA state and district chapters. As a smaller dental specialty, the AAE maintains a strong presence in the House of Delegates, with many members actively participating on key committees and councils, some even in leadership roles. This strong representation is a testament to the steadfast leadership and vision of AAE President Dr. Steven J. Katz, President-Elect Dr. W. Craig Noblett, and Secretary Dr. Mark B. Desrosiers, whose commitment to elevating the AAE’s influence within organized dentistry was exemplified through their testimony and insights at the House of Delegates meeting.
Each year, the AAE Board of Directors supports its members serving as ADA Delegates and Alternate Delegates by reviewing and formulating formal positions on resolutions and reports that significantly impact endodontists. This process spans several months and is led by Najia Usman, DDS, the AAE’s designated House of Delegates Liaison Chair. Dr. Usman collaborated closely with AAE staff to track and analyze a record-breaking number of relevant resolutions and reports, as this meeting featured the most introduced in recent ADA House of Delegates history. The relevant resolutions were reviewed with the AAE Board of Directors for ultimate approval.
The meeting also marked the induction of ADA President, Dr. Richard J. Rosato, who centered his inaugural address on unity across the dental specialties. Dr. Rosato specifically recognized the AAE for its leadership and advocacy on critical specialty issues, emphasizing collaboration on matters such as specialty advertising and scope of practice. He affirmed his commitment to prioritizing these concerns throughout his term.
AAE leadership and staff also participated in a joint meeting with representatives from other dental specialties to discuss shared advocacy priorities and exchange perspectives on resolutions impacting specialists within the house of dentistry. The Dental Specialty Group (DSG) serves as a vital forum for fostering collaboration among specialties, building consensus on key policy positions, and advancing the collective interests of dental specialists within the broader profession.
AAE Policy Wins
AAE once again proved to be the strong, steady voice of the specialty at this year’s ADA House of Delegates meeting—pushing back against proposals that threatened to blur professional boundaries and reaffirming the vital role of endodontists in patient care.
This year’s ADA House of Delegates meeting saw a record number of resolutions addressing topics vital to endodontists including regulatory concerns, insurance issues, specialty advertising, and endodontic education. Through strategic advocacy and expert testimony, AAE leaders ensured that policies advancing patient care and professional integrity prevailed, while measures representing overreach were successfully defeated or redirected for further study.
Oppose Resolution 412: Addressing the Barriers to Pediatric Endodontic Treatment.
Drs. Katz, Desrosiers and Usman, testified in opposition to a resolution proposing ADA oversight of collaboration between the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the AAE to enhance pediatric endodontic training. The AAE delegation reaffirmed that endodontists already possess the expertise necessary to treat pediatric patients and can independently collaborate with the AAPD on future shared initiatives. The Reference Committee supported the AAE’s position and recommended a “no” vote, which the House of Delegates. Affirmed, tabling the resolution.
Oppose Resolution 510B: Amendment to the Policy, Legislative Assistance by the Association.
Drs. Katz, Desrosiers and Usman also spoke against a resolution that could limit the ADA’s ability to act swiftly on national advocacy issues involving scope of practice and specialty recognition. The AAE delegation testified that this measure risked weakening the profession’s ability to respond quickly and cohesively to external threats, and recommended referring the resolution back to committee for further study and refinement, ensuring that recognized specialties – including the AAE – have input to safeguard patients and the profession. The Reference Committee agreed, and the House of Delegates voted to refer the resolution back for revision. This outcome preserved the ADA’s ability to advocate freely and ensured specialty voices remain central to policymaking.
Refer Resolution 517: Amendment to ADA Policy on Medical (Dental) Loss Ratio.
AAE also helped shape the conversation around Dental Loss Ratio (DLR) reform, reinforcing the need for greater accountability from insurance providers. Dr. Usman testified in support of refining ADA policy to ensure that patient premiums are used for care—not administrative costs. AAE has long advocated for a minimum DLR of 83% to ensure that patient premiums are directed toward clinical care rather than administrative overhead. AAE advocated for continued study through the ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs to develop a policy that holds insurers accountable while avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens for providers. The House adopted this recommendation, referring the resolution for refinement that aligns with AAE’s long-standing call for fairness, transparency, and patient-centered reform.
AAE Luncheon
The AAE hosted a luncheon on Saturday, October 25, 2025, led by AAE Delegate Chair, Dr. Najia Usman, for all AAE members serving as Delegates and Alternate Delegates. The event provided an opportunity to discuss key resolutions and align advocacy strategies. AAE President, Dr. Steven Katz, expressed appreciation to AAE members for their service and leadership and welcomed special guests ADA President, Dr. Brett H. Kessler, President-Elect, Dr. Richard Rosato, and ADA Interim Executive Director, Dr. Elizabeth Shapiro, who each reiterated their support for specialty collaboration and shared priorities.
The AAE is grateful to its members who serve as Delegates and Alternate Delegates in the ADA House of Delegates, representing the interests of our specialty. We look forward to continuing to support these leaders and nurture the next generation of advocates in the House. If you want to get involved with your local ADA state chapter and the ADA House of Delegates process, please contact advocacy@aae.org.