Compiled by Dr. Austyn Grissom
Dr. Stephanie Sawyer is in her second year of endodontics residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In this Resident Spotlight, Dr. Sawyer shares more with us about her journey to endodontics, her commitment to personal wellness, and what is on the horizon for her future after residency.
The Paper Point: Thanks for taking time to chat, Dr. Sawyer. Let’s start by telling everyone a little bit about yourself.
Dr. Sawyer: I’m currently a second-year endodontic resident at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I’m originally from Long Island, New York, but Alabama has truly become a second home over the past several years. Outside of dentistry, I love staying active, trying new restaurants, traveling, and cooking with my husband—who is a prosthodontist. I’m very passionate about maintaining balance between my professional goals and personal wellness, which has been especially important during residency.
The Paper Point: What first sparked your interest in becoming a dentist, and later, endodontist?
Dr. Sawyer: My interest in dentistry started with my appreciation for the combination of medicine, problem-solving, and hands-on procedures. As I progressed through dental school and later through my AEGD and time in private practice, I found myself drawn to complex cases and diagnosing the “why” behind a patient’s pain. Endodontics stood out because it blends critical thinking, precision, and the ability to provide immediate relief to patients who are often in significant discomfort. That ability to make a meaningful impact in a short amount of time ultimately solidified my decision to pursue endodontics.
The Paper Point: For any of our readers in dental school who are on the fence between practicing after graduation versus pursuing endo residency right out of school: how did that time you spent in your AEGD and then private practice as a general dentist influence the way that you approach life as an endodontic resident?
Dr. Sawyer: Spending time in an AEGD and then in private practice was incredibly valuable for me. It helped me build confidence, efficiency, and strong communication skills before entering residency. I gained a deeper understanding of what general dentists need from specialists, which has really shaped how I approach referrals and case planning. It also gave me perspective—I came into residency more focused, intentional, and appreciative of the opportunity to specialize. I truly believe that those experiences made me a better resident and will ultimately make me a better endodontist.
The Paper Point: Will you be presenting any of your research at AAE26 in Salt Lake City?
Dr. Sawyer: Yes, I will be presenting at AAE26 in Salt Lake City. During residency, I have been primarily involved in one main research project evaluating the antimicrobial properties of oregano oil. While we are still awaiting the finalized qPCR data for that study, I will be presenting a table clinic focused on the relationship between medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) and endodontic procedures, including both surgical and nonsurgical treatment considerations. I’m looking forward to discussing clinical decision-making, risk assessment, and how endodontic therapy can play an important role in the management of these complex patients.
The Paper Point: I know that you are very intentional about your fitness and wellness routine even during this busy season. Tell us about what you do to stay active, and any tips you might have for the rest of us who are already slacking off our New Years Resolutions?
Dr. Sawyer: Staying active is a big priority for me, especially during stressful seasons. I try to keep things realistic and flexible—whether that’s a spin class, a run, a walk, a hike, or a quick HIIT workout. My biggest tip is not aiming for perfection. Even 20–30 minutes counts. I also remind myself that movement is something I get to do, not something I have to do. Giving yourself grace and building consistency over intensity makes a huge difference long term.
The Paper Point: One of the things that I miss most about Birmingham, AL is the food scene! If someone reading this happens to be passing through Birmingham, AL for the day- give us a recommendation for: a place to grab breakfast, a lunch spot, and your favorite dinner restaurant.
Dr. Sawyer: Birmingham truly has an amazing food scene and is one of the things I’ll miss most. For breakfast, you can’t go wrong with Hero Doughnuts or O’Henry’s. For lunch, I love Real and Rosemary or El Barrio—both are must-stops and never disappoint. Dinner is where Birmingham really shines, and some of my absolute favorites are Helen, Galley and Garden, and Current Charcoal Grill. And to finish the night, the cocktail scene is just as good—Key Circle Commons and Adios are hands-down my favorite spots.
The Paper Point: When you and your husband cook together, do you guys have a favorite dish that you make?
Dr. Sawyer: We love cooking together and enjoy experimenting with all different kinds of cuisine—from Mediterranean dishes to Thai food. One of our absolute favorites to make at home is Jet Tila’s green curry. It’s a recipe we keep coming back to and always feels like a fun night in the kitchen together.
The Paper Point: Once you complete your residency training this June, what’s next for you?
Dr. Sawyer: After graduation, my husband and I are planning a trip to Northern Italy to celebrate the completion of residency and this chapter of our lives. Following that, we’ll be relocating to the DMV area, where I’ll be joining a prosthodontic and endodontic specialty practice, Prostho.Endo.Dental Group. It’s a unique opportunity to work alongside a husband-and-wife prosthodontic/endodontic team, which makes it especially exciting for both of us.
The Paper Point: That’s awesome! You both deserve an amazing trip to celebrate each of your accomplishments, and I know that y’all are going to have a great time in Italy. Before we part, what is one piece of advice or motivational quote that has inspired you to keep going on the tough days?
Dr. Sawyer: One quote that has always stuck with me is: “You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to keep going.” Residency can be challenging, but remembering why you started and trusting the process makes all the difference.
Dr. Austyn Grissom is former chair of the AAE’s Resident and New Practitioner Committee.
There is something special about January, the quiet pause between what was and what is possible. The new year doesn’t require perfection. It doesn’t demand that we have everything figured out. Instead, it offers something much more powerful: the chance to begin again. As we step into a new year, I find myself reflecting on what fresh beginnings truly mean. Even after busy seasons and full calendars, we are always allowed to start again; with intention, with hope, and with purpose.
In many ways, that same spirit mirrors the heart of our work and our profession. Endodontics is founded on restoration, renewal, and second chances; on helping patients preserve what matters most and rediscover comfort, confidence, and hope. It is truly a privilege to do work that, quite literally, offers people the opportunity for a new beginning.
This year, my goal is to keep our collective momentum moving in the right direction: forward. Forward in excellence. Forward in connection. Forward in leadership. Whether you are a resident, a new practitioner, or someone who has been engaged with the AAE for years, my hope is that 2026 becomes a year in which every member feels seen, supported, and inspired to contribute.
With the new year underway, I wanted to share a few important updates and reminders:.
One major milestone on the horizon is AAE26, taking place April 15–18, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah. There is truly nothing like being together in person at the annual meeting; learning, reconnecting, exchanging ideas, and surrounding ourselves with colleagues who challenge us to be better. If you haven’t registered yet, I encourage you to do so soon and begin planning your travel and accommodations early. These moments of connection are invaluable.
And last, but certainly not least, please mark your calendars for APICES 2026, happening August 14–15 in St. Louis. APICES continues to be one of the most meaningful experiences for residents and new practitioners as you navigate the transition from residency to the realities of practice. The RNPC is already working on an engaging and impactful program, and we cannot wait to see you all there. Registration will open June 2026.
I want to acknowledge that every new year brings different realities for each of us. Some are entering a season of growth. Some are navigating uncertainty. Some are building practices, managing families, overcoming personal hardship, or simply trying to keep all the plates spinning. Wherever you are, I want you to know: you belong here. And we are stronger together. Endodontics is a specialty defined by precision, patience, and resilience. Every day, we solve problems, relieve pain, and restore confidence. That work matters, and so does the way we support one another while doing it.
As we turn the page into 2026, I encourage you to lean in. Share your story. Submit an article. Ask questions. Build relationships. This organization is not just something you belong to, it is something that can shape you, support you, and help you grow.
If you have an idea you’d like the RNPC to bring to life, questions about the transition from residency to the “real world,” want to learn more about getting involved with the AAE, or are ready to submit an article for the next edition of The Paper Point, please feel free to reach out anytime at PCarpenter.DDS@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.
Warmly,
Priscilla L. Carpenter, D.D.S., M.S.
Resident and New Practitioner Committee Chair
By Danielle Caplain
What You’ll Learn
- How AI search engines decide which endodontists to recommend for root canals and why this changes everything for new specialists.
- A zero-cost optimization strategy you can implement this week to make AI assistants your biggest referral source.
- Why traditional GP referral strategies are becoming less effective and how to position your practice as AI’s go-to endodontic recommendation.
You just opened your endodontic practice. You’re visiting general dentists with donuts and sending thank-you cards for referrals. But while you’re playing the traditional referral game, your potential patients are asking ChatGPT about their tooth pain and trusting AI to recommend specialists.
Here’s the reality: in 2026, your biggest referral source isn’t the general dentist down the street. It’s artificial intelligence. And if you’re not optimized for AI discovery, you’re invisible to patients who start their healthcare journey with an AI conversation.
Why AI Referrals Are Your Practice’s Secret Weapon
Think about how your patients find you now versus how they found you last year. They used to Google “endodontist near me” and scroll through options. But now they’re asking AI assistants questions like: “I have dental anxiety and need a root canal. Which endodontist in my area specializes in nervous patients and offers sedation options?”
The AI doesn’t randomly pick a practice to recommend. It synthesizes information from across the web, evaluating your online presence, your expertise signals, your patient communication style, and dozens of other factors to determine if you’re the right match. When you understand how to feed AI the right information, you become the default recommendation for specific patient needs.
This shift is particularly powerful for young practitioners. While established practices rely on decades of word-of-mouth referrals, you can leapfrog the competition by speaking AI’s language from day one. Your fresh start is actually your advantage. You’re building your online presence specifically for the AI era, not retrofitting an outdated approach.
How AI Actually Finds and Recommends Endodontists
Before optimizing for AI referrals, it’s essential to understand how AI search works. Unlike traditional Google searches that rely heavily on keywords, AI evaluates context, intent, and meaning.
When a patient asks an AI assistant about dental care, the system analyzes text-based information across your website, social media, Google Business Profile, and patient reviews to build a clear picture of what you do, who you treat, and how you treat them.
The key limitation is simple: AI can only recommend what it can clearly understand. If your online presence is vague, image-heavy without explanations, or filled with generic dental language, AI can’t identify what makes your practice different. Practices receiving AI referrals provide specific, detailed descriptions of their expertise and patient-care philosophy.
Let’s consider the scenario mentioned above: A patient asks AI, “I’ve been told I need a root canal, but I’m scared. I’ve heard they’re painful, and I had a bad dental experience before. Is there an endodontist who treats anxious patients gently?”
The AI looks for endodontists who clearly explain:
- How pain is managed during root canal treatment
- What a modern root canal actually feels like
- Options for dental anxiety (gentle techniques, sedation, communication)
- Procedure length and recovery expectations
- How patients are kept informed, comfortable, and in control
If your content only says “We specialize in root canal therapy” without addressing fear, comfort, expectations, and trust, the AI won’t surface your practice, regardless of clinical skill.
This is where an AI-ready content strategy matters. Unlike traditional SEO, which emphasizes keywords and backlinks, AI optimization rewards clarity, depth, and demonstrated expertise, clearly communicating your specialties, your approach, and the problems you solve.
Your Zero-Cost AI Optimization Strategy
Step 1: Audit Your Current AI Visibility
Start by testing how AI currently sees your practice. Open ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini and ask questions a potential patient might ask: “Who’s the best endodontist for someone with dental anxiety in [your city]?” or “Which practice offers apicoectomies near [your location]?” If your practice doesn’t appear in the response, you know you have work to do.
Document what practices AI does recommend and analyze their online presence. What specific information are they providing that you’re not? This competitive intelligence costs nothing but provides invaluable insights.
Step 2: Create Your AI Training Page
Build a comprehensive page titled “Our Endodontic Approach” that includes:
- Your specific areas of expertise beyond standard root canals
- Your treatment philosophy and patient care approach
- Technology you use and why it matters
- Common problems you solve differently than general dentists
Write as if explaining to someone who knows nothing about endodontics but needs to match patients with the perfect specialist. This approach to AI-friendly dental website optimization ensures both AI systems and patients understand your unique value.
Step 3: Transform Your Service Pages
Your service pages probably list treatments and maybe include some before-and-after photos. That’s not enough for AI. Each service page needs to answer the questions patients actually ask AI about that procedure.
For example, instead of just describing root canal retreatment, address:
- “How long does a root canal or retreatment appointment take, and what is recovery like afterward?
- “Will a root canal hurt, and how do endodontists manage pain and anxiety during treatment?”
- “What does a modern root canal actually feel like compared to what I’ve heard?”
- “What happens if a root canal fails—what are my options?”
Structure each page with clear headings that mirror how people ask questions. This approach serves both AI comprehension and featured snippet optimization in traditional search.
Step 4: Leverage Your Google Business Profile for AI Discovery
Your Google Business Profile isn’t just for traditional local search anymore, it’s prime real estate for AI discovery. The Q&A section and regular posts are goldmines for AI optimization.
Start actively using the Q&A feature. Ask and answer specific questions about your practice, your approach, and your specialties. “Do you offer sedation for anxious patients?” “What insurance plans do you accept?” “Do you see emergency patients on weekends?” Each answered question is content AI can reference when making recommendations.
Create weekly Google Business posts that detail specific aspects of your practice. Don’t just announce “We’re accepting new patients!” Instead, write posts like: “We specialize in helping patients with dental anxiety through our comfort-first approach, including sedation options, extended appointment times, and a dedicated comfort coordinator who stays with nervous patients throughout their visit.”
These detailed posts feed AI systems current, specific information about your practice while also improving your traditional local SEO performance. It’s a win-win strategy that costs nothing but consistency.
Step 5: Build Expertise Through Educational Content
AI prioritizes expertise and educational value when making recommendations. This is where your blog becomes a referral engine. Skip generic topics and focus on content that answers real patient questions while showcasing your clinical strengths.
Create in-depth resources around the procedures you want to be known for. For example, instead of promoting root canals broadly, explain what happens at each stage of the root canal process. These aren’t sales pages, they’re educational assets that signal expertise to AI.
Depth matters more than volume. One comprehensive article explaining your approach to dental anxiety will outperform multiple surface-level posts on general topics.
Step 6: Optimize Social Media for AI Understanding
AI can’t interpret images or emojis, it reads text. Every social media post should include enough written context for AI to understand the procedure, patient concern, and outcome.
Rather than posting a photo with a short caption, explain the situation, the treatment provided, and the patient’s experience. Narrative posts that describe real scenarios, such as helping an anxious or long-absent patient feel comfortable, teach AI not just what you do, but how you do it and who you serve.
Step 7: Generate Detailed, Specific Reviews
AI evaluates review content, not just star ratings. Vague praise like “Great dentist!” offers little insight and won’t influence recommendations.
When requesting Google reviews, guide patients to share specifics: the procedure they had, their concerns beforehand, and how you addressed them. Reviews that mention your process, technology, and comfort measures give AI concrete signals.
When someone asks AI for a dentist skilled in a particular procedure, those detailed reviews make your practice the clear match.
Comparison: Traditional vs. AI-Optimized Referral Strategies
| Strategy Element | Traditional Approach | AI-Optimized Approach |
| Primary Focus | Building relationships with GPs | Creating comprehensive online expertise signals |
| Time Investment | Weekly office visits, lunches | 2-3 hours weekly on content creation |
| Cost | Meals, CE courses, marketing materials | Zero monetary cost |
| Referral Source | Limited to networked GPs | Unlimited AI recommendations |
| Geographic Reach | 5-10 mile radius | Entire service area |
| Patient Type | GP-screened patients only | Direct patients AND GP referrals |
| Scalability | Limited by personal time | Compounds automatically over time |
| Measurability | Difficult to track ROI | Clear analytics and tracking |
Conclusion
The referral landscape has fundamentally changed for endodontists. While many specialists continue to rely solely on traditional GP relationships, AI is quickly becoming a powerful new referral engine. By optimizing your practice for AI discovery, you position yourself as the default specialist recommendation for specific patient concerns—pain, fear, retreatment, or complex diagnosis.
This shift also levels the playing field for newer endodontists. You don’t need decades of referral history; you need clear, comprehensive content that AI can understand and trust. For a deeper dive into how this works, the AI SEO for Dentists ebook breaks down the strategy in detail. You can also request an AI audit to see exactly how you’re being evaluated today.
Start implementing these strategies now, and you’ll be positioned as AI evolves from a curiosity into one of the most influential growth drivers for endodontic practices.
FAQ
Q: Will this replace my need for GP relationships? A: No, this complements GP referrals. Many GPs now use AI tools for research, so optimization helps with both direct patient referrals and maintaining GP relationships.
Q: How long before I see AI-driven referrals? A: Most practices see initial results within 2-4 weeks, with significant growth building over 2-3 months as AI systems continuously evaluate your content.
Q: Do I need special software or tools? A: No special tools required. This strategy uses your existing website, Google Business Profile, and social media platforms with improved content.
Q: Should I mention AI on my website? A: Focus on clear, comprehensive information that serves both human visitors and AI systems naturally, without explicitly mentioning AI throughout.
Q: How is this different from regular SEO? A: AI optimization focuses on depth, context, and answering specific questions rather than keyword density and backlinks alone.
Danielle Caplain is a copywriter at My Social Practice, a dental marketing company that provides dental marketing services to practices across the United States and Canada.
By Dr. Adam Gluskin
Case History: A 56 year old male patient was referred for evaluation of tooth #7 and #8. He is asymptomatic, but his general dentist referred him after observing a buccal sinus tract over tooth #7.
Medical history: Non-contributory, ASA I
Medications: None
Allergies: NKDA
HPI: The patient reports RCT #8 and crowns on #8 and #9 following a bike accident over 20 years ago. The teeth have been asymptomatic ever since, but the patient reports a "bump" in the gums developing on and off over the past year.
Radiographic evaluation: Periapical radiographs of the maxillary anterior teeth show existing PFM crowns on teeth #8 and #9 with previous root canal therapy of tooth of #8 with a large post. The obturation material is lacking in density in the apical portion of #8. Both #7 and #8 lack a continuous lamina dura and a large periapical radiolucency is present compassing both roots. The severe lack of density within the radiolucency indicates a through-and-through lesion.
A limited FOV CBCT was exposed revealing an area of low density (14x12x10mm in dimension) encompassing the root apices of #7 and #8. Significant erosion of the buccal and palatal cortical plates is evident. The alveolar bone around #7 and #8 is intact circumferentially.
Clinical evaluation: Probing depths 2-3mm across all maxillary anterior teeth. None are tender to percussion or palpation. Tooth #7 responded positively to cold testing.
Tooth #7 has class 1 mobility and #8 has class 2 mobility. A buccal sinus tract is present in the attached gingiva above #7. The #8 and #9 PFM crowns are intact with clinically sealed margins.
Diagnosis:
Tooth #7 normal pulp with asymptomatic apical periodontitis
Tooth #8 previously treated with a chronic apical abscess.
Stay tuned! We'll reveal the actual treatment rendered, and the poll results, in a future edition of The Paper Point!
Dr. Adam Gluskin is a member of the AAE's Resident and New Practitioner Committee.
As the New Year begins, it also brings about important changes to our CDT coding terminology for reporting dental services on claims submitted to third-party payers. As endodontics continues to evolve—clinically and technologically—practitioners are encouraged to proactively review and incorporate the latest CDT updates where appropriate, ensuring our practices remain aligned with dentistry’s current standards and payer expectations.
The ADA CDT 2026 Current Dental Terminology Manual includes 60 code changes across multiple procedure groupings, reflecting real-world care patterns and emerging modalities. While changes within the Endodontics chapter itself are few this year, several new and updated codes directly influence how endodontists document care and submit appropriate codes for payments.
CDT 2026 Changes Applicable for Endodontists
- D0461 — Testing for cracked tooth (NEW)
Includes multiple teeth and contra lateral comparison(s), as indicated. Diagnostic aids may include but are not limited to pressure sensitivity testing, transillumination, staining, etc.
- D2956 – Removal of an indirect restoration on a natural tooth
This code applies to crown removal procedures and does not specify the method or reason for removal; however, it cannot be used for the removal of a temporary or provisional restoration
- D9128
Photobiomodulation therapy for the first 15 minute increment, or any portion thereof.
- D9129
Photobiomodulation therapy for each subsequent 15 minute increment, or any portion thereof.
The updated Endodontists’ Guide to CDT includes all of these changes as well as four new clinical scenarios to assist endodontists in proper coding. These scenarios include removal of an indirect restoration on a natural tooth, patient referral for removal of fractured abutment screw, detailed and extensive endodontic evaluation, and lost composite, protective restoration.
We are officially four months away from May 2026, and that means it’s time to move into full gear for Save Your Tooth Month.
Building on the incredible momentum from last year, our grassroots advocacy campaign is charging forward stronger than ever. In 2025, we achieved record-breaking participation and historic wins, particularly in the number of Save Your Tooth Month proclamations secured through member outreach. Those successes proved what is possible when our members unite with a shared purpose and speak with one voice.
Now, in 2026, we are raising the bar.
Our Goal for 2026: Every State and Territory
This year, our goal is ambitious and clear: for members to submit Save Your Tooth Month proclamation requests in every single U.S. state and territory.
This matters because proclamation requests are the critical first step toward official recognition. When legislators formally recognize Save Your Tooth Month, they help amplify the importance of saving natural teeth and elevate oral health as a public health priority. These efforts also:
- Increase public awareness of the value of endodontic care and the benefits of preserving natural teeth
- Reinforce the role of endodontists as leaders in diagnosing and treating tooth pain and infection
- Encourage better oral health habits—like brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits—that support overall health
- Strengthen relationships with policymakers and expand our advocacy footprint nationwide
How You Can Take Action Now
We encourage all members to use the link below to find your respective state or territory and reach out to your local legislators to request a proclamation declaring May as Save Your Tooth Month. Each message helps build the momentum needed to secure recognition across the entire country.
Wondering how to submit a proclamation? Follow this guide at aae.org/isaveteeth.
Last year’s results were powered by members taking action—and this year, we’re going all-in with the wins and energy from 2025 to make 2026 our biggest year yet.
The article below is copied from The Washington Post. To read it on their website via subscription, click here.
Young adults are the most likely age group to skip dental care, with a recent study finding that 1 in 3 didn’t see a dentist during the previous year.
When Usman Ahmad talks to Gen Z patients about going to the dentist, he makes one case: “It’s about the future.”
If they don’t want a missing tooth, or a marred smile, or difficulty eating later in life, he tells them, keep coming back to the dentist’s chair. Sometimes he uses TikTok or YouTube to help make his point, finding that young adults are more responsive to videos — showing how food builds up between teeth without flossing, for example, or how gingivitis inflames gums and where that can lead.
“It all depends on how you approach them,” said Ahmad, administrative dental director for Mary’s Center, a nonprofit community health center in Maryland and the District. While that’s true of many patients, it’s especially so for a generation that is less likely to show up and open wide.
A study published last fall in the journal Frontiers in Oral Health found that 1 in 3 U.S. adults ages 18 to 35 had skipped the dentist during the previous year — and were most likely of all age groups to have done so.
The consequences can impact overall health and longevity, dentists say — including cardiovascular and brain health. Delaying care also can cause more serious and expensive dental or medical problems down the road, they note.
“Oral health is related to your systemic health in your body. It’s not just your teeth and your gums — everything is connected. Your head is not cut off from the rest of your body,” said Tricia Quartey, a Brooklyn dentist and a consumer adviser spokesperson for the American Dental Association, who said she and her colleagues see young adults who put off dental care after aging out of their parents’ insurance or while moving around for college and jobs.
A lack of insurance as well as income and housing instability were cited by young adults who reported skipping the dentist, the study found. Though those factors affect all age groups, disparities in dental care by socioeconomic status were most extreme among young people, according to the study, which was based on an analysis of more than 127,000 participants’ responses to a survey administered as part of a National Institutes of Health research program.
Dentists recommend twice-a-year office visits, along with good brushing and flossing habits, and say not to wait for something to hurt to see a dentist. They want young people to understand the benefits of oral health: Treating root canal infection is associated with improved heart health, flossing can help prevent dementia, and preventing gum disease can improve life expectancy, research has found.
“If we don’t pay much attention to [this generation], then in the future we will have a weaker workforce,” said Yau-Hua Yu, an associate professor of periodontology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, who authored the recent study.
Almost all young people believe it’s crucial to preserve their teeth, but half don’t go to the dentist unless they’re in pain, an American Association of Endodontists survey last year found. The survey indicated that social media could be another factor contributing to that disconnect: About 45 percent of Gen Z and younger millennials get health information from nonmedical sources such as influencers and content creators — and more than half said they regretted a decision they had made based on that information.
“It’s a huge concern,” association President Steven J. Katz said. “They’re getting this incorrect information, they’re making decisions or putting off [care] based on this, and then they live to regret it.”
In Brooklyn, Quartey treated one young woman who damaged her enamel after using a charcoal toothpaste that she saw promoted by influencers. Another asked Quartey about using a nail file to smooth down teeth after seeing it online.
To tackle that disconnect, some dentists are turning to TikTok to spread awareness and reach potential patients, a strategy the endodontists association is pushing.
Quartey and her counterparts at Noble Dental Care began making TikTok videos last year and were “shocked” by the number of new patients who found their practice, she said. They post videos of staff dancing and participating in TikTok trends, but they also answer common questions and debunk myths.
“That is how people are getting information, so I want to at least make sure it’s the correct information,” she said.
Addressing a lack of insurance can be harder, but young adults can look for local clinics, dental schools or community health centers that offer lower-cost dental services, said Romesh Nalliah, associate dean for patient services and a professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
“The health system for medicine and dentistry is complicated,” he said. “But it’s worth the effort to overcome those challenges.”
As we begin a new year, it is both appropriate and energizing to look ahead—to consider where our specialty is going and how the American Association of Endodontists will continue to lead in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
The AAE enters 2026 with a new Strategic Plan for 2026–2028 that reflects thoughtful deliberation, broad input, and a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges and opportunities before us. Developed through focused work by the Board of Directors and refined with staff expertise, this plan provides a shared framework to guide our priorities, investments, and actions. Just as importantly, it ensures that the Association’s efforts remain aligned with our mission, values, and long-standing commitment to saving natural teeth.
First and foremost, the plan reaffirms our commitment to the public.
Our primary goal is clear: the public should prioritize saving their natural teeth and seek endodontists as their trusted choice for endodontic care. To achieve this, the AAE will continue to strengthen Worth Saving as our flagship public awareness campaign and expand education around oral–systemic health through A Healthy Mouth = A Healthier You. These efforts highlight not only the importance of tooth preservation, but also the specialized training and expertise endodontists bring to patient care. We will continue to elevate our digital and social media presence through high-impact content, member collaboration, and the thoughtful use of credible influencers. At the same time, the Association will be prepared to identify and address mis- and disinformation as it arises, helping to protect patients while reinforcing trust in the specialty.
Equally important is our focus on members.
The strategic plan recognizes that AAE members must continue to lead the advancement of endodontics. Over the next three years, we will sharpen and clearly communicate the value of AAE membership, strengthen leadership development and succession, and expand opportunities for collaboration, education, and engagement. The plan also places renewed emphasis on supporting educators and increasing the number of endodontists teaching at all levels, recognizing that education and mentorship are essential to sustaining the specialty and preparing the next generation of endodontists.
The AAE’s role as the leading authority for endodontic knowledge is another cornerstone of the plan.
We will continue to elevate and modernize clinical resources, ensuring that guidelines, position statements, and assessment tools reflect the highest level of evidence-based care. In parallel, the Association will strengthen its data infrastructure, collecting and analyzing practice and demographic data to better inform advocacy, education, and future planning. Supporting meaningful research and increasing member engagement with research outcomes remain central to this work, reinforcing the AAE’s role as a trusted source of scientific and clinical guidance.
Finally, the plan reinforces advocacy as a strategic priority.
The AAE will continue to advocate for evidence based, patient centered endodontic care by strengthening relationships with organized dentistry, regulators, and third-party payers. We will work to expand patient access to high-quality endodontic care, demonstrate the value of endodontist provided treatment across the oral health system, and ensure that our specialty’s voice is heard in discussions that shape the future of oral healthcare.
This strategic plan is not a rigid roadmap, it is a living framework. It allows the AAE to remain agile while staying anchored to our mission, values, and purpose. You will see it reflected in our programs, communications, advocacy efforts, and partnerships as we move forward.
As we enter this new year, I want to thank our volunteers, Board members, committee members, and staff for their dedication and leadership. Together, we are positioning the AAE, and the specialty of endodontics, for a strong, relevant, and confident future.
I wish you a healthy, successful, and fulfilling New Year.
By Dr. Bobby Nadeau
The pace of technological advancement in the fields of augmented reality and artificial intelligence is increasing rapidly. The emergence of more powerful computers and a better understanding of machine learning is now allowing new possibilities in clinical Endodontics. Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information, such as images, text, or 3D models, onto the real world in real time, typically viewed through a smartphone, tablet, smart glasses or dedicated AR headsets.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the development of computer systems capable of performing complex tasks that typically require human intelligence much more efficiently. The main subfields of AI include machine learning, deep learning and computer vision. Machine learning include systems that improve from experience and data without being explicitly programmed. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning using multi-layered neural networks. Computer vision allows for the interpretation and understanding of visual information.
Guided Endodontics
The concept of image guided Endodontics (IGE) was first described by Clark and Khademi in 2010 (1). IGE can be defined as a minimally invasive, precision-driven philosophy and technique for locating root canal systems using 3D imaging as the primary guide for access cavity design, rather than relying solely on the traditional 2D radiography and average anatomical knowledge.
The emergence of computer guided Endodontics now allows clinicians to use real-time 3D imaging, preoperative planning software, and intraoperative tracking systems to precisely guide surgical instruments during an operation. This is particularly useful in cases of canal calcification and microsurgeries. The benefits of guided surgery in general include more minimally invasive and efficient procedures and the potential for enhanced post-operative healing and outcomes. Computer guided Endodontics carries a more complex setup and involves a significant financial investment and steep initial user learning curve.
3D Model Guided Endodontics
This technique involves the use of pre-operative CBCT data to produce a 3-dimensional segmented model of different dental structures. The author uses Relu Creator (Belgium), a browser-based software that utilizes AI, mainly convolutional neural networks, to produce segmented 3D models of different structures from CBCT data. This software allows the automatic segmentation of structures such as hard tooth structure, canal spaces, bone, sinus cavities and inferior alveolar nerve canal. The final segmented 3D model can be exported from Relu Creator and imported into a smartphone application which allows viewing and manipulating the 3D model. The smartphone is mounted onto the surgical operating microscope using a custom smartphone adapter (Zumax Medical, China) as shown in figure 1. The smartphone is connected to the DentSight AR Heads-up Display module (Zumax Medical, China) through HDMI connection (Fig 1). This allows the injection of the segmented 3D model into the field of view of the microscope. This augmented reality setup allows the clinician to view deeper structures not visible to the naked eye (root dentin, osseous structures, canal space) overlayed in real time on top of the real patient anatomy as seen through the microscope. The clinician can manipulate the 3D model in real time directly onto the smartphone to orient and position it in the desired position.
Figure 1
Non Surgical Case
This patient presented with an upper central anterior with pulpal necrosis, symptomatic apical periodontitis and a receded canal (Fig 2). A CBCT was taken and a 3D model segmenting the hard tooth structure and canal space was produced using Relu Creator. The 3D model was overlayed within the clinical field of view as seen through the microscope using the setup described above. The 3D model was positioned in the same orientation as the real anterior tooth as seen through the indirect vision of the dental mirror. The access cavity is performed, guided by the 3D model, and the root canal treatment subsequently completed. Previously, using CBCT data, the clinician would be required to manually scroll up and down the different slices of the scan in order to assess the relationship between the canal position and the external form of the crown of the tooth to plan the access adequately. The benefit of 3D model guided Endodontics is that, for the first time, the clinician can obtain the relationship between the canal space and the outer form of the crown of the tooth all within one view. The augmented reality setup allows the clinician to maintain focus on the surgical field without having to look away at an external monitor.
Figure 2
3D Model Guided Endodontics for Microsurgery
The same technique described above can be utilized to overlay hard structure over the patient’s gingiva to plan flap designs and root resections during Endodontic microsurgeries. Figure 3 shows the outline of the hard tooth structure overlayed on the patient’s jaw as seen through the microscope by the operator.
Figure 3
Summary
The 3D model guided technique using the DentSight AR Heads-Up Display module and Artificial Intelligence based software has the potential to give clinicians real time visual guidance during Endodontic procedures. As opposed to more complex computer guided systems, this technique is more cost effective and easily integrated into the microscope based workflow. The future of 3D model guided Endodontics will utilize computer vision with object recognition and object tracking to ensure the segmented 3D model remains overlayed in the appropriate position/orientation despite patient movement during the procedure (Fig 4).
Figure 4
References
1- Clark JR, Khademi JA. Modern molar endodontic access and directed dentin conservation. Inside Dentistry 2010;6(8):58-71
Compiled by Rae Burach
Robert Hanlon, D.M.D., is a practicing endodontist and AAE member residing in Southern California. A longtime member and volunteer of the California Dental Association (CDA), Dr. Hanlon has just become the first endodontist president of the organization. We talked with him about why this position is so meaningful– personally and professionally– and how it can further strengthen the relationship between specialists and general practitioners.
AAE: What does it mean to you to be one of the first endodontist presidents of the CDA, and what do you hope it represents for specialists?
RH: I’m truly honored and humbled to become the 156th president of the 27,000 member California Dental Association (CDA). I was actually quite surprised to find out that I am the first endodontist to hold this position. Many leaders and past leaders in AAE leadership come from the CDA. AAE Past Presidents like Mahmoud Torabinejad, Alan Gluskin, and Stefan Zweig come to mind. I first met incoming AAE President Craig Noblett fifteen years ago when we were both members of the CDA Political Action Committee. Current AAE ADPAC Representative Ken Tittle is another CDA member. I chose a somewhat different path and focused more of my time at the CDA rather than the AAE. I was Chair of CDA’s Government Affairs Council for several years and CDA’s Political Action Committee for more than a decade. One only has a limited amount of time, and I decided to focus my attention with my state organization rather than the AAE.
AAE: What are your top priorities/goals for your CDA presidency, and why those now?
RH: I’ve always been of the belief that a leader’s job is not to institute his own personal goals or agenda, but to facilitate the implementation of the strategic plan that the associations Board of Directors has mutually agreed upon. That’s my goal, that’s my job. With that said, if there is one thing that I would like to focus on it is wellness. Being a young endodontist today is extremely stressful. Many of us are isolated and practice alone. We see patients in pain. We squeeze emergencies in wherever we can in our already busy schedules. Factor in student loan debt, staffing issues, rising overhead costs, stagnant or decreasing reimbursement rates from dental benefit plans and it all adds up to increasing stress levels. I know of two endodontic colleagues here in California who took their own lives. This is where we as a profession – as a specialty and as individuals – have to do better. We have to be willing to reach out to our colleagues in trouble and ask them “How are you doing?” Starting a conversation and listening to what they have to say. We need to embrace our roles as ambassadors of the specialty of endodontics, but we also need to embrace our roles as friends, colleagues and members of the dental community.
AAE: How has your perspective as an endodontist influenced the way you approach leading a statewide general dental organization?
RH: If I could sum up my leadership style in one word it would be “collaborative.” As an endodontist, you have to have a collaborative relationship with your referral base. To be a successful endodontist, you have to learn how to get along with a diverse group of referring doctors. For example, as I become more mature in my years (I’m a Baby Boomer), I’m finding that the younger generation of dentists don’t want to communicate with me the same way I communicate with general dentists of my generation. I have to be able to collaborate with them to find common ground on how we communicate with each other. Some prefer email, some prefer text messages, some like a phone conversation. I find the same thing leading the CDA. Our Board as well as our general membership is very broad and diverse. The collaborative skills that I have developed as an endodontist have also served me well in my ability to be collaborative with my Board of Directors and to communicate our message to the general membership through a variety of different channels.
AAE: What do you think general dentists most need from specialists at this point in time, and vice versa?
RH: I think we both need better collaboration and communication skills. My best referring doctors give me all the information I need including recent and, in some cases, historic radiographs prior to me seeing the patient. And some send a referral slip with a tooth number circled and nothing more. General dentists need to know that their endodontic colleagues are there to support and help them. We as endodontic specialists need to get out into the communities where we practice and help educate not only general dentists but other specialists about what it is that makes endodontics so special and unique. With the nationwide shortage of endodontic faculty in dental schools, some dental students are barely exposed to endodontics by endodontists. We need to be willing to step up and give lectures to our local dental societies, study clubs and things as simple as a quick Lunch & Learn within our own offices. We as specialists need to be there to help educate and support those within our dental communities.
AAE: You’ve spent years involved in organized dentistry. What first motivated you to get involved, and what kept you saying “yes” since then?
RH: I’m a third-generation dentist in my family. My grandfather was a general dentist and my father’s older brother was a general dentist. My father was a physician who practiced to the age of 85. From a young age, my father would say to me in Latin, “cui multum datur, multum exspectatur,” which translates to, “to whom much is given, much is expected.” That phrase has reverberated in the back of my head since I was a young boy. That’s probably what motivated me in the beginning to get involved, giving back to a profession that has given so much to me. What propelled me to put forth my name to be CDA President was the words of the Jewish Schlor Hillel the Elder: “If not me than who, if not now than when.” What has probably kept me saying ‘yes’ all these years is that a lot (not all) of it has been fun, the personal fulfillment that I have obtained, the many relationships that I have developed over the years, and the gratification of knowing that the profession of dentistry is a little bit better because of some of the things I was able to accomplish over my career.