From Assistant to Advocacy Leader: Dr. Andrew Miller’s Journey Through Education, Practice, and Endodontic Leadership

 I am a first-generation college graduate from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, who attended Boston University for my DMD, AEGD, and CAGS in Endodontics. I am a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, as well as a Fellow of several additional professional organizations. I became involved in both private practice and academia immediately upon graduation, starting as a Faculty Member in the Postdoctoral Endodontic Department at Boston University. I then became the full-time Director of Predoctoral Endodontics from 2016 to 2024. Currently, I am in full-time Private Practice at Lexington Endodontics in Lexington, Massachusetts. 

I was inspired to pursue a career in Endodontics while working as a Dental Assistant in an Endodontic Practice during my College years. All four Endodontic Partners in the practice graduated from Boston University and served as an incredible example of what professionals should aspire to be, as they were actively involved in academia, organized dentistry, and the board certification process in Canada. During the first Annual AAE Meeting that I registered for as Predoc Director, I attended the Educator’s Session, where Dr. Alan Gluskin inspired me to reach out and ask how I could get involved with such a large and important organization. The email I eventually sent to then-AAE President Dr. Gluskin expressing my interest in getting involved led to President-Elect Dr. Alan Law reaching out and eventually being selected to serve on the AAE Special Committee to Update the Trauma Guidelines, the AAE Public and Professional Relations Committee, and the AAE Practice Affairs Committee.  

During my time as an Educator, I served on numerous institutional committees, but it was the AAE Committees that brought me the greatest satisfaction. Every AAE Committee that I have had the honor of serving on or interacting with was composed of highly professional and altruistic individuals who volunteer their time and share their ideas to support our profession and our patients. Whether it is formal Committee Meetings virtually or in-person or informal meetings offline, I continue to develop a network of like-minded advocates for our shared interests, not to mention the friendships that develop naturally.  

I am humbled by the trust that AAE President Dr. Steven Katz, the AAE Staff, and the rest of the organization has in me to select me as Chair of the AAE Practice Affairs Committee. I had begun my second three-year term on the PAC when I was notified of my opportunity to serve in this important leadership position, and I am looking forward to working with the entire team of AAE Members and AAE Staff to continue our advocacy efforts on your behalf. Prior to being on any of these Committees, I really had no idea all of the things being coordinated by and through the AAE to ensure our members are represented, protected, and supported.  

The PAC is a diverse group of individuals who form an on-the-ground, hardworking team that prioritizes saving teeth over politics. As our Committee members like to say, we are the “Tooth Party,” and we do our best to represent all AAE Members when it comes to areas such as Government legislation, ADPAC, ADA code maintenance, dental benefits (aka “insurance”), and assisting in setting the highest standards of care in Endodontics. Many of the things I took for granted before serving on this Committee, I now understand, were the benefits of those selfless volunteers and staff who advocated on our behalf. 

I look forward to continuing to support that very same mission with the other incredible PAC members and staff.  

I never imagined that sending that one email would lead to all the opportunities and relationships it did, but I have no regrets. Whether you are in Residency, Academia, or Private Practice, I encourage you to reach out and see how you can get involved with the AAE. There are many Committees or other opportunities to share your experience and knowledge, and by working together, we can achieve so much more for our specialty than we can as individuals. Advocacy matters, and it starts with you.