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\n\tThe AAE celebrated 75 years of saving teeth at this year\u2019s annual meeting, as more than 4,000 members, guests and exhibitors gathered in Denver. A brand-new and buzzworthy educational track\u2014Controversies & Hot Topics\u2014drew hundreds of participants eager to hear dialogue on today\u2019s challenges and tomorrow\u2019s solutions regarding canal cleaning and disinfection. Hot Topics track attendees also enjoyed an afternoon of Lincoln-Douglas style, case-based debate on surgical versus nonsurgical retreatment.<\/p>\n
In addition to the new educational track, four other categories offered quality continuing education: Surgical, Endodontics Without Limits, Interdisciplinary and Essentials for Endodontic Practice, as well as several submitted presentations.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t
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Wrapping up Day One of AAE18, the immensely inspiring Aron Ralston\u2014subject of the best-selling book and film “127 Hours”\u2014brought many audience members to tears with his gripping tale of a harrowing experience that tested the very limits of human persistence. “We all have boulders in our lives,” he said. “What\u2019s your boulder?”<\/p>\n
At the annual President\u2019s Breakfast, Dr. Garry L. Myers called on younger members to be creative and optimistic about what lies ahead for the specialty. “To our residents and new practitioners, you are our future. You have inherited the foundation that has been laid for the past 75 years,” he said. Dr. Myers also called on members to build strategic partnerships at all levels and in all disciplines, saying communication will be key. “How people interact and communicate will be the defining factor for the success for all of us, both within the AAE and in our interactions outside of the AAE. Be engaged with your profession and your professional colleagues.”<\/p>\n
There was also the past president pinning and passing of the gavel between Dr. Myers and President-Elect Dr. Patrick E. Taylor. Upon assuming his role as president, Dr. Taylor said, “the specialty needs a voice at all levels, from as many different types of endodontist as possible: private practice, academia, military, institutional and corporate. Stand up for endodontics. Let people know the value of endodontics done well to save teeth.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t![\"041](\"https:\/\/www.aae.org\/specialty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/05\/041-AAE18-Rush-Photos250.png\" "\\"041")
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Dr. Myers also announced the AAE\u2019s new consumer engagement initiative. In collaboration with publication relations firm APCO, creative strategies have been formulated and aimed at a specific target audience that should be most receptive to our message and it is anticipated that other audiences will also hear this message as it is made. “This consumer engagement initiative is expected to launch by the end of the calendar year,” Dr. Myers said. “With a more targeted demographic of the general public and with the involvement of our members throughout this process, we have the potential to move the needle in a significant direction toward the public\u2019s understanding of just who an endodontist is.”<\/p>\n
Also at the President\u2019s Breakfast, Dr. Myers presented the President\u2019s Award, which honors exceptional members who work behind the scenes to promote and advance the Association. Dr. Mark B. Desrosiers of Connecticut received the honor this year. Dr. Desrosiers was recognized for his commitment to organized dentistry at the local, state and national levels with the AAE and ADA. He also currently serves on the Public and Professional Relations Committee.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t![\"AAE18-Desrosiers250\"](\"https:\/\/www.aae.org\/specialty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/05\/AAE18-Desrosiers250.png\" "\\"AAE18-Desrosiers250\\"")
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Other AAE18 highlights included the annual Louis I. Grossman Ceremony, where 108 new Diplomates\u2014the largest class to date!\u2014of the American Board of Endodontics were pinned and the Edgar D. Coolidge Awards Brunch,\u00a0recognizing the 2018 recipients of the Association\u2019s highest honors and awards.\u00a0At the General Assembly, the members approved a change to the Association\u2019s bylaws, eliminating a requirement that members maintain membership in the ADA or the national equivalent after they have joined the AAE.<\/p>\n