AAE24 General Assembly Minutes
General Assembly
April 19, 2024
MINUTES
Call to Order
President Craig S. Hirschberg called the 2024 General Assembly of the American Association of Endodontists to order at 8:50 a.m. on April 19, 2024, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. A quorum of voting members was in attendance. President Hirschberg instructed the assembly on voting procedures for the meeting.
Approval of Rules
Proposed Standing Rules for the General Assembly were published online with the General Assembly meeting materials.
GA-1 Moved: that the proposed rules be adopted as standing rules for the General Assembly.
Motion Carried.
The approved standing rules will apply for all future General Assemblies and may be amended by a 2/3 vote.
Approval of Parliamentarian
President Hirschberg appointed Dr. Mark Desrosiers to serve as parliamentarian for the 2024 General Assembly.
Approval of Minutes
President Hirschberg called for approval of the minutes of the 2023 General Assembly as published in the Communiqué.
GA-2 Moved: That the 2023 General Assembly Minutes be approved as published.
Motion Carried.
Reports of Officers
Written reports from the AAE President, Secretary, and Treasurer were made available to members online prior to the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report
AAE Treasurer, Dr. Craig Noblett, reported that for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2023, the AAE had an operating surplus after investment earnings of $691,000. Strategic initiative spending totaled $605,000 resulting in a bottom-line surplus of $86,000. Strategic initiatives focus on the public, the profession, and membership.
In addition, AAE received a clean audit from its independent auditors, indicating that financial operations not only comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, but also that the association is financially sound and that the Board of Directors has operated responsibly and in the best interest of the AAE and its membership.
Dr. Noblett reviewed AAE Operating Revenues, Expenses, and Operating Surplus, Strategic Initiatives, and Total Surplus/Deficit for the years ending June 2021 through June 2023. Revenues and expenses in 2020 and 2021 were impacted by COVID restrictions, including the virtual AAE21 and hybrid AAE22 meetings. The impact of those events was significantly offset by an insurance claim and the receipt of government funding.
The current Fiscal Year is forecasted with an operating surplus of $250,000 and a total deficit of ($323,000). The projected deficit also includes expenses related to strategic initiatives. These results are lower than last year, due to no one-time government funding.
The AAE Investment balance on June 30, 2023 equaled $12.7 million and was 97% of the 2023 annual expenses. AAE is in a strong financial position with investments equal to over 90% of one year’s expenses, allowing the association to continue spending on strategic initiatives to advance the interests of members.
Dr. Noblett reported that the Board of Directors approved a Fiscal Year 25 budget projecting revenue of $13,111,000, expenses of $13,937,000, investment earnings of $385,000 with an operating deficit of ($441,000). This deficit is greater than the current year, as we expect AAE to eventually recover to prior year levels for membership and events in the next couple of years.
The board is advancing the strategic plan which focuses on expanding the public’s awareness of endodontics, developing knowledge to advance the specialty, advocating for quality endodontic care, and supporting members to advance the specialty. The board approved additional funding for the strategic initiatives in the amount of $649,000. This will be funded in Fiscal Year Budget 25 using the reserve funds. AAE’s strong financial position enables the association to invest in new initiatives to strengthen the specialty.
Journal of Endodontics Report
JOE Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Kenneth M. Hargreaves, reported continued advances in the Journal of Endodontics.
JOE continues to attract noteworthy papers from researchers and clinicians around the world. There has been a 252% increase in the number of new manuscripts submitted to the JOE from 2003-2023.
This increase is attributed to the web-based manuscript submission system started in 2004 and to the increasing stature of the Journal. This increase in submissions consisted of many manuscripts of good quality. In addition to the 1,087 new manuscripts submitted in 2020, an additional 281 revised manuscripts were submitted in response to a prior review. The Editorial Board reviewed a total of 1,368 manuscripts submitted in 2023, which equates to about 3.7 papers submitted every day throughout the year. It is believed the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on increased submissions in 2020, with a reversion towards the mean appearing in 2023.
With more than 382 endodontists and scientists from more than 25 countries currently serving as members of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), the JOE represents a substantial commitment to excellence by AAE members and endodontists around the world. Together, we believe that we have made steady progress in our efforts to improve an already strong publication, and we look forward to continued improvement in future years.
The JOE has developed an outstanding Impact Factor over the last two decades. The 2022 impact factor ranks the JOE #14 out of a total of 91 dental journals. Other measures are also quite strong: in 2021, the JOE generated considerably more total citations (22,657 vs 11,722) and published more papers than the IEJ. The 2023 Impact Factor will not be published until summer of 2024.
JOE Awards were presented at the JOE Award and Scientific Advisory Board Reception, recognizing the best articles in the categories of Basic Research: Biology, Basic Research: Technology, Case Reports and Clinical Techniques, Clinical Research, Regenerative Endodontics, Systematic and Scoping Reviews, and Narrative Reviews. In addition, 14 papers published in 2023 received Honorable Mentions.
Nominations for next year’s awards will open in the fall and members are encouraged to submit nominations to recognize their peers who are shaping the future of the specialty.
Foundation for Endodontics
Foundation for Endodontics President Dr. Margot T. Kusienski reported that the Foundation has made progress on its strategic plan, with goals focusing on research, education, outreach, and engagement.
The Foundation has provided funding and resources to help the specialty continually evolve. In 2023 the Foundation budgeted nearly $1.1 million to support elevate scientific advancements, support endodontic education, and provide underserved patients access to quality endodontics.
The Foundation will be launching several new programs in 2024, including the Foundation and Dentsply Sirona Freedom Scholarship for residents, the return of the International Access to Care program with a new host organization, the Part time Educator Development Grant and the reimagined Endowed Faculty Matching Grant.
Additionally, the Foundation and Specialty1 Partners Annual Meeting Resident Development Scholarship and ADEA Leadership Institute Scholarship will continue.
The Endodontic Educator Fellowship Award helps to ensure that endodontics at every level is being taught by skilled endodontists. Dr. Christopher Hogden, assistant professor at University of Iowa Department of Endodontics, was recognized as the 2023 Endodontic Educator Fellow.
2023 was a rewarding year for the Domestic Access to Care program; eight projects across the U.S. were funded, providing access to endodontic care to a variety of vulnerable populations, including low-income seniors and veterans. The Foundation is appreciative of this program’s industry supporter, Specialized Dental Partners, for their commitment to sustain this program through 2025.
Dr. Kusienski recognized and thanked the Foundation’s first time and repeat contributions from industry partners and encouraged members to become Foundation donors.
American Board of Endodontics Report
ABE President Dr. Bradford R. Johnson presented the report of the American Board of Endodontics. Dr. Johnson reported in 2023, the ABE examined 196 Oral Exam candidates and reviewed 94 Case History Portfolios. The Written Exam was administered over two days through Pearson Vue testing centers to 223 examinees. The ABE honored 74 new Diplomates at the 2024 Grossman Ceremony, and in 2023 81 Diplomates completed their recertification requirement.
Dr. Johnson expressed the ABE’s thanks to dedicated past Directors who continue to volunteer and serve as examiners for both the Case History and Oral Exams.
ABE staff were thanked for their contributions to the ABE’s success. Dr. Johson encouraged interested members to nominate themselves for Board service and encouraged members to seek Board Certification.
ABE completed a review and revision of its Case History Portfolio Examination Guidelines in 2023. The Board’s major initiative for 2024 is a complete Job Task Analysis for all three exam components to ensure ongoing validity of the exam, with a goal of ensuring that assessment processes and content accurately reflect current endodontic practice and the best available evidence.
Presentation of ABE Nominees
ABE President Dr. Bradford Johnson presented the following slate of nominees for ABE Directors:
Sami M. A. Chogle
Meetu R. Kohli
Keith R. Boyer
Paul A. Falcon
Dr. Johnson also announced the ABE’s officers for 2024-2025:
Avina K. Paranjpe, President
Meetu R. Kohli, Vice President
Joseph M. Dutner, Secretary
Garry L. Myers, Treasurer
Nominating Committee Report
AAE Nominating Committee Chair, Dr. Alan H. Gluskin, presented the slate of nominees for AAE officers and Foundation for Endodontics Trustees:
American Association of Endodontists
President: Natasha M. Flake
President-elect: Steven J. Katz
Vice President: W. Craig Noblett
Secretary: Bradley H. Gettleman
Treasurer: Elizabeth Shin Perry
Immediate Past President: Craig S. Hirschberg
Foundation for Endodontics Trustees
Stefan I. Zweig, Trustee
Morgan Celistan, New Practitioner Trustee
Jack Burlison, Public Sector Trustee
Tom von Sydow, Public Sector Trustee
Amy Warren-Kimbro, Public Sector Trustee
Dr. Gluskin also announced the 2024-2025 officers for the Foundation for Endodontics which have been elected by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees:
President: Patricia Tordik
President-elect: Clara M. Spatafore
Treasurer: Anthony T. Borgia
Secretary: Bruce C. Justman
District Director Nominees
President Craig S. Hirschberg presented the slate of nominees for District Director positions:
District I: Fiza Singh
District III: Brian E. Bergeron
District IV: Alfred H. Wiemann III
District V: David W. Clanton, Sr.
District VII: Nadia Chugal
Election of Board Members
There being no other nominees, the slate of nominees for Officers and Directors of the AAE, Directors of the American Board of Endodontics, and Trustees of the Foundation for Endodontics were elected for terms beginning in 2024.
New AAE officers and district directors, ABE directors, and AAE Foundation trustees took an oath to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Association of Endodontists and the Bylaws of the respective organizations to which they have been elected, and to discharge their duties and responsibilities to the best of their abilities.
Outgoing President’s Remarks
Immediate Past President Craig S. Hirschberg thanked the Assembly for the opportunity to serve as AAE President. He encouraged the membership to get involved with the AAE, teach endodontics, volunteer, serve as a mentor, and seek board certification. Dr. Hirschberg congratulated Dr. Flake on beginning her term as President.
Incoming President’s Remarks
President Flake addressed the Assembly and shared her appreciation for the opportunity to serve the AAE.
Dr. Flake shared her background and journey to the position of AAE president, which has afforded her opportunities to connect with endodontists in all areas of practice. Dr. Flake highlighted that although endodontists’ practice settings vary, all share the common purpose of advancing the art and science of endodontics and promoting the highest standards of patient care. She spoke to the importance of advocacy for the highest standard of practice by all clinicians and increasing public awareness of endodontists and the value of saving natural teeth. Dr. Flake encouraged all members to enhance their involvement within the specialty, by pursuing board certification, teaching on a volunteer basis, utilizing clinical skills to improve access to care, supporting the AAE Foundation, becoming active in state or local dental societies, and mentoring an early career endodontist, general dentist, or prospective dentist. Dr. Flake closed by recognizing the role that the AAE plays in the professional lives of endodontists through support, education, advocacy, and community.
New Business
No new business was submitted for consideration by the Assembly.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the 2024 Meeting of the AAE General Assembly was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.