CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY STATEMENT
All officers, directors, committee members, and employees (collectively, “representatives”) of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) have a duty to conduct the affairs of the AAE solely for the benefit of the AAE rather than for their own financial or professional gain, or that of an immediate family member, a business associate, or an organization with which the representative is associated. To assure this duty is fulfilled and there is not an appearance of impropriety, all representatives shall disclose any financial or professional interest they may have in any matter upon which they are or will be required to act on behalf of the AAE. Financial and professional interests include but are not limited to income, honorarium, grants, royalties, gifts, and entertainment from an individual, company, or sponsor conducting business with the AAE. Such disclosures of financial and professional interest shall be made in a writing submitted to the Executive Director of the AAE both upon election or appointment to a committee and on an annual basis as determined by the Board of Directors. In order to assure that all representatives working on behalf of the AAE in connection with a matter are aware of a possible conflict of interest, such disclosure shall also be made orally prior to discussion of any matter in which the representative has, or may reasonably been to have, a conflict of interest.
If a representative believes that his/her financial or professional interest will or may affect his/her ability to act solely for the benefit of the AAE in connection with any matter, then he/she shall refrain from representing the AAE in connection with that matter. Similarly, a representative should refrain from representing the AAE in connection with a matter if such representation would create an appearance of impropriety because of the representative’s financial or professional interest.
Not every financial or professional interest will compromise a representative’s duty to act solely for the benefit of the AAE, but every such interest, no matter how limited, should be disclosed to the other AAE representatives. Whether disclosure of a financial or professional interest will require no action beyond the disclosure, abstention from voting on the matter, or complete recusal from discussion of the matter will be determined by the President, the committee chair, or, where appropriate, the Board of Directors or the relevant committee.
Failure to comply with this conflict of interest policy by an officer, director, or committee member may result in removal from office, from the Board of Directors, or from a committee. Failure to comply with this conflict of interest policy by an employee may result in termination of employment or some lesser disciplinary action.
Any questions about this Policy or whether a representative has a conflict of interest on a particular matter should be addressed to the President or to the Executive Director.