Minutes from the 2025 General Assembly
Call to Order
President Natasha M. Flake called the 2025 General Assembly of the American Association of Endodontists to order at 8:50 a.m. on April 4, 2025, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts. A quorum of voting members was in attendance. President Flake instructed the assembly on voting procedures for the meeting.
Standing Rules for the General Assembly were published online with the General Assembly meeting materials and were reviewed at the outset of the meeting.
President Flake appointed Dr. Mark Desrosiers to serve as parliamentarian for the 2025 General Assembly.
Approval of Minutes
President Flake called for approval of the minutes of the 2024 General Assembly as published in the Communiqué.
GA-1 Moved: That the 2024 General Assembly Minutes be approved as published.
Motion Carried.
Report of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee
Constitution and Bylaws Committee Chair Dr. Craig S. Hirschberg presented two proposed amendments to the Constitution, published in the January 2025 issue of the Communiqué.
The first proposed amendment enables the Board to remove a Director with a 3/4 vote in the case that the Board concludes that continued service on the Board would be contrary to the best interest of the Association, rather than only allowing the Board to remove a Director in case of an emergency. The proposed amendment retains the General Assembly’s right to remove a board member with a 2/3 vote.
GA-2 Moved: that the proposed amendment to Article V, Section 5 of the AAE Constitution relating to the process to remove a Board member be approved.
Motion Carried.
The second proposed amendment reflects that only members in good standing of the AAE (rather than of affiliate associations) are eligible to serve on District Caucus Nominating Committees.
GA-3 Moved: that the proposed amendment to Article X, Section 4 of the AAE Constitution, relating to service on District Caucus Nominating Committees, be approved.
Motion Carried.
Both motions amending the Constitution passed with the required ¾ affirmative vote.
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. Elizabeth Shin Perry, reported that for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2024, the AAE had an operating surplus after investment earnings of $299,000. Strategic initiative spending totaled $583,000 resulting in a bottom-line deficit of ($284,000). 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. Perry reviewed AAE Operating Revenues, Expenses, and Operating Surplus, Strategic Initiatives, and Total Surplus/Deficit for the years ending June 2022 through June 2024.
For Fiscal year 2025, an operating deficit of ($332,000) and a total deficit of ($998,000) are forecasted. The projected deficit also includes expenses related to strategic initiatives. These final results are lower than the prior year due to the impact of inflation on expenses, conservative forecasts for annual meeting and a changing vendor marketplace.
The AAE Investment balance at June 30, 2024 equaled $13.4 million and was 96% of the 2024 annual expenses. AAE is currently in a strong financial position with investments equal to over 90% of one year’s expenses.
Dr. Perry reported that the Board of Directors approved a Fiscal Year 26 budget projecting revenue of $12,751,000, expenses of $13,654,000, investment earnings of $376,00 with an operating deficit of ($527,000). This deficit is greater than the current year, as we expect AAE to minimize expenses and expand revenues to reduce this conservative estimate.
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 $561,000. This will be funded in Fiscal Year Budget 26 through the use of reserve funds. This strategic spending level is similar to prior years, and AAE’s strong financial position allows the organization the opportunity to invest in new initiatives to strengthen the profession.
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 266% increase in the number of new manuscripts submitted to the JOE from 2003-2024.
This increase in submissions consisted of many manuscripts of good quality. In addition to the 1,131 new manuscripts submitted in 2024, an additional 253 revised manuscripts were submitted in response to a prior review. Thus, the Editorial Board reviewed a total of 1,384 manuscripts submitted in 2024, which equates to about 3.8 papers submitted every day throughout the year.
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.
The JOE has developed an outstanding Impact Factor over the last two decades. Other measures are also quite strong: in 2023, the JOE generated twice as many citations and published more papers than the IEJ.
The 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, and Systematic and Scoping Reviews. In addition, 6 papers published in 2024 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.
Dr. Hargreaves closed by celebrating a significant milestone – the 50th anniversary of the Journal of Endodontics.
Foundation for Endodontics
Foundation for Endodontics President Dr. Patricia Tordik reported that the Foundation continues to support the specialty through on research, education, and access to care. In 2024, the Foundation supported endodontics with over $1.4 million in grants.
Dr. Tordik reviewed new programs launched by the Foundation in 2024:
- The Foundation & Dentsply Sirona Freedom Scholarship provided $50,000 for tuition and fees for three endodontic residents.
- With a new partner supported by the Sandals Foundation, the International Access to Care Program sent four endodontic residents and two endodontist mentors to the Caribbean to care for an underserved population.
- The Part-time Educator Development Grant provided nearly $15,000 to fourteen endodontic educators from eleven programs supporting their continuing education.
In 2025, partnering with Cornerstone Dental Specialties, the Foundation will recognize newly boarded endodontists with a $500 gift as a token of appreciation for their commitment to the specialty.
The Endodontic Educator Fellowship Award helps to ensure that endodontics at every level is being taught by skilled endodontists. Dr. Xiaofei Zhu, assistant professor and research director of endodontics at Boston University, was recognized as the 2024 Endodontic Educator Fellow.
2024 was a rewarding year for the Domestic Access to Care program; five projects across the U.S. were funded, providing access to endodontic care to a variety of vulnerable populations, including the homeless and others living below the poverty level. The Foundation is appreciative of this program’s industry supporter, Specialized Dental Partners, for their commitment to sustain this program through 2025.
Dr. Tordik recognized and thanked the Foundation’s first time and repeat contributions from industry partners and encouraged members to become Foundation donors.
Several grassroots efforts raised funds in honor of 2025 AAE award winners. Dr. Tordik noted that the donations in honor of Dr. Kenneth Hargreaves will allow the Foundation to award a Full-Time Educator Development grant in his name, every year in perpetuity. Recipients of the Foundation’s named educator development grants were recognized.
American Board of Endodontics Report
ABE President Dr. Avina Paranjpe presented the report of the American Board of Endodontics. Dr. Paranjpe reported in 2024, the ABE examined 201 Oral Exam candidates, reviewed 147 Case History Portfolios, and administered the Written Exam to 232 examinees through the Pearson Vue testing centers. Dr. Paranjpe congratulated the 116 new Diplomates, noting that this is among the highest number of Diplomates to be honored at an Annual Meeting.
The ABE Board elected to administer the case history exam once per year starting in 2024, and evaluated all the portfolios submitted during the first annual exam. The Oral Exams continue to be administered twice a year in March and October, and the Written Exam is given annually over one day in May.
Dr. Paranjpe 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.
110 Diplomates completed their Recertification requirement in 2024. The ABE continues to monitor the requirements set forth by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards (NCRDSCB) so that all aspects of our processes comply, including requirements for the Recertification of Board-certified endodontists.
ABE staff were thanked for their contributions to the ABE’s success. Dr. Paranjpe encouraged interested members to nominate themselves for Board service and encouraged members to seek Board Certification.
Presentation of ABE Nominees
ABE President Avina Paranjpe presented the following slate of nominees for ABE Directors:
Joseph M. Dutner, Director, Second Term
Garry L. Myers, Director, Second Term
Renato M. Silva, Director, Second Term
Amir Azarpazhooh, New Director
Terry D. Webb, New Director
Dr. Paranjpe also announced the ABE’s officers for 2025-2026:
Meetu R. Kohli, President
Joseph M. Dutner, Vice President
Garry L. Myers, Secretary
Scott L. Doyle, Treasurer
Nominating Committee Report
AAE Nominating Committee Chair, Dr. Alan S. Law, presented the slate of nominees for AAE officers and Foundation for Endodontics Trustees:
American Association of Endodontists
President: Steven J. Katz
President-elect: W. Craig Noblett
Vice President: Elizabeth Shin Perry
Secretary: Mark B. Desrosiers
Treasurer: Bradley H. Gettleman
Immediate Past President: Natasha M. Flake
Foundation for Endodontics Trustees
Dustin S. Reynolds, Trustee
Rene Chu, Trustee
Jack Burlison, Public Sector Trustee
Amy Warren-Kimbro, Public Sector Trustee
Judith Forsythe, Public Sector Trustee
Dr. Law also announced the 2025-2026 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: Robert S. Roda
Secretary: Bruce C. Justman
District Director Nominees
President Natasha M. Flake presented the slate of nominees for District Director positions:
District II: Carla Y. Falcon
District IV: John M. Nusstein
District V: Poorya Jalali
District VI: Katherine Divine
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 2025.
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 Natasha M. Flake thanked the Assembly for the opportunity to serve as AAE President. Dr. Flake emphasized a year of collaboration, advocacy, and strategic progress. Key achievements include defeating restrictive legislation, enhancing public awareness, and strengthening inter-organizational partnerships to improve patient care.
Incoming President’s Remarks
Dr. Steven Katz opened his remarks by thanking the Nominating Committee, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and AAE staff for their confidence and support. He reflected on his journey to leadership and years of service within the AAE, highlighting his involvement in AAE’s public and patient education campaigns. Dr. Katz emphasized the strength of the AAE as a growing specialty organization with over 8,100 members and an 82% domestic membership rate, noting that public awareness and patient demand for endodontic care continue to rise.
He addressed several critical challenges facing the specialty, including a nationwide shortage of endodontic educators, legislative threats to specialty recognition, and broader federal issues impacting dental education and research funding. Dr. Katz concluded by encouraging members to engage in AAE programs, participate in education and advocacy, pursue board certification, and support the Foundation, emphasizing that collective involvement is key to preserving the excellence and future of the profession.
New Business
No new business was submitted for consideration by the Assembly.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the 2025 Meeting of the AAE General Assembly was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.