Dr. Steven Katz Becomes AAE President After Gavel Ceremony at AAE25

The American Association of Endodontists marked a significant moment of leadership transition today during the General Assembly at AAE25 in Boston, as Dr. Natasha Flake officially passed the gavel to Dr. Steven Katz, ushering in his term as AAE President for 2025–2026.

The ceremonial handoff was more than symbolic—it celebrated continuity, commitment, and the future of the specialty. In his first address as President, Dr. Katz expressed deep gratitude to his predecessor and laid out a vision grounded in advocacy, mentorship, and collaborative strength.

Dr. Katz, a Cleveland-based endodontist with more than 35 years in private practice, shared personal reflections on his professional journey, beginning with a pharmacy degree and culminating in his Board certification 25 years after completing his residency. His story, filled with persistence, mentorship, and service, resonated with the crowd.

His career path hasn’t been a straight line, he explained.  After working as a pharmacist, he went back to school for dentistry, then practiced for two decades before pursuing Board certification. That process reignited his passion for service and got him more deeply involved with the AAE.

Dr. Katz acknowledged the support of his family, practice partners, and mentors. He also celebrated the AAE’s current momentum, noting that the specialty is not only growing but thriving—even as other areas of dentistry face headwinds.

Looking forward, Dr. Katz identified key challenges the specialty must face head-on: a shortage of endodontic educators, reduced NIH funding, the erosion of water fluoridation efforts, changes in government departments affecting dental education, and state-level threats to specialty recognition.

In his home state of Ohio, he explained, a proposed change to specialty advertising laws could allow dentists without CODA-accredited training to market themselves as specialists.

To meet these challenges, Dr. Katz announced his intention to build a coalition of dental specialty groups to unify and amplify advocacy efforts.

He concluded with a call to action for members:

• Get involved with the AAE—join a committee or attend events.

• Teach, even part time.

• Support access to care programs.

• Leverage AAE’s patient education materials.

• Engage in advocacy—every letter or petition counts.

• Consider Board certification.

• Contribute to the Foundation for Endodontics.

• Surround yourself with colleagues who inspire you.

With the gavel now in Dr. Katz’s hands, the AAE enters its next chapter led by a president who pairs deep clinical experience with heartfelt passion for the specialty and its future.