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AAE Hosts Record-Setting Annual Meeting in New Orleans

CHICAGO - AAE17 set a new record as more than 4,300 members, guests and exhibitors attended the American Association of Endodontists' annual meeting in New Orleans, April 26-29. Cutting-edge 3-D surgery was one of the many highlights as Dr. Syngcuk Kim from the Department of Endodontics at Penn Dental Medicine performed microscopic surgery on two patients "behind the curtains" while the audience viewed the procedure with 3-D glasses, seeing the treatments just as Dr. Kim did. More than 100 other educational courses covered a wide range of endodontic topics, including surgical and nonsurgical endodontics, pulp fiction, saving the natural dentition and practice management.

"I wanted to make sure that AAE17 provided a highly scientific, evidence-based program," said AAE 2016-2017 President Dr. Linda G. Levin. "Thanks to the hard work of the planning committee and track organizers, we achived that, and attendees came away from the annual meeting with a wealth of new information to enhance their practices and improve patient care."

The meeting also included the installation of new leadership for the Boards of the AAE, Foundation for Endodontics and American Board of Endodontics, the largest endodontic exhibit hall and several special events. The Foundation for Endodontics exceeded its annual goal, raising more than $1.485 million in its 2016-2017 fundraising campaign which culminated at AAE17. Attendees also raised $1,000 for the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic & Assistance Foundation.

LevinPresidentsBreakfastAt the annual President's Breakfast, Dr. Levin called on members to take back control of the specialty from various special interests. She told the audience that the AAE's new strategic plan will support those efforts through three overarching goals: the public valuing their natural teeth and seeking endodontists for their care; the dental profession valuing endodontists as partners with advanced expertise; and recognition of the AAE and its members as the global leaders in advocating the value and quality of endodontics.

Dr. Garry L. Myers echoed his predecessor's comments in his first remarks as AAE President. "We need to continue to increase our efforts to educate the general public, including our general dentist colleagues, about who we are and about the quality treatment we can and do provide to our patients," said Dr. Myers. "As Dr. Levin has repeatedly stated over the past year, the only dental association who will truly advocate for specialty endodontic care is none other than this association and we need to make ourselves heard."

CarvilleMatalinAAE17 included keynote speakers and New Orleans' residents James Carville and Mary Matalin, who sat down with Dr. Levin to discuss their wide-range of opinions on the current political climate. In addition, 90 new Diplomates of the American Board of
Endodontics were pinned during the Louis I. Grossman Ceremony and the Edgar D. Coolidge Awards Brunch was a time to recognize the 2017 recipients of the Association's highest honors and awards.

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About the American Association of Endodontists
The American Association of Endodontists, headquartered in Chicago, represents more than 8,000 members worldwide. Endodontics is one of nine dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service. For more information about the AAE, visit the Association's website at aae.org.

For high resolution photos, please email pr@aae.org.