2011: An Eventful Year of Progress

As AO President, it is my pleasure to report 2011 has been an eventful year and significant progress has been accomplished towards meeting the goals of our strategic plan. Our talented, active board has:
» Rewritten the Fellowship requirements
» Produced online Continuing Education credit courses and patient education brochures
» Initiated a public relations campaign
» Planned AO-sponsored programs at the Yankee Dental meeting and IADR
» Approved production of a founders video documentary, featuring many of the Academy's first presidents, and a special video report on the beginnings of osseointegration, with Professor P.I. Brånemark, and
» Directed a team to publish a white paper on "Current Status of Peri-Implantitis Disease"

It is hard to recall a time of more active involvement in fulfilling the Academy's vision "to be the world's premier organization for implant dentistry" and achieving our mission "to enhance oral health globally by advancing the science, practice and ethics of implant dentistry and tissue engineering." The major activity we undertake to achieve these goals, of course, is to conduct the best annual meeting in implant dentistry.

		Phoenix Site Visit In August, we visited sunny Phoenix, Arizona, to finalize our plans for the 27th Annual Meeting to be held March 1-3. Next year's event will be hosted at the Phoenix Convention Center, a new and modern facility in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Dr. Michael Block, 2012 Annual Meeting Program Chair, and his committee have planned an extra special event with the theme, "Technology to Practice". Please click on the link "AO Annual Meeting" in the right menu to preview the many exciting sessions and register for this year's event. Our meeting will kick off on Thursday, March 1, with the popular Corporate Forums, highlighting the latest innovations from a collection of our industry's leading corporations. Each corporate presenter will showcase the company's newest products and services, with experts on hand to answer your questions. We have expanded the Allied Staff educational sessions again this year with an excellent program that will specifically address the clinical and practice management advancements and concerns of the implant treatment coordinating team and laboratory technicians. Don't forget to plan for your staff to attend this full-day event on Saturday, March 3. Our final day of the program is truly exciting and unique with a morning plenary session dedicated to Digital Technology. The keynote speaker of this event, Dr. Ping Fu, is a leading expert in the use of 3D scanning and modeling for many dental and industrial needs. Her innovations have reached the depths of outer space. Be sure to arrive early to get the best seats as this presentation is not to be missed! I am especially excited to invite all attendees to join me at the 2012 President's Reception at the Arizona Science Center. Plan to join us for this fun-filled evening of fellowship and exploration among Academy friends. (see photo below) Each year, our Exhibit Hall features one of the largest collections of leading manufacturers and suppliers of dental products in our field. This year we are proud to boast another record-setting number of exhibitors who look forward to welcoming you at our special reception in the exhibit hall, Thursday evening, immediately following our Opening Symposium. I would like to personally thank everyone involved for his or her efforts in planning this upcoming event - especially Kevin Smith and his talented, dedicated team.
		During the Phoenix site visit, I tried a bed of nails at the Arizona Science Center!
		Fellowship Task Force The Fellowship task force headed by Chair Dr. Michael Norton, has just completed a comprehensive rewrite of our fellowship program to make it more meaningful and more attainable. We encourage our members to pursue the opportunity to gain the distinction of being a Fellow of the Academy of Osseointegration. Upon completion of the requirements, you will receive a certificate for your office and a gold pin to proudly wear at our Annual Meeting and elsewhere. For your convenience, the Fellowship application process is listed on our new website.
		Online Continuing Education and Patient Education I am proud to announce that we now offer continuing education courses on our website. Don't miss the opportunity to earn CE credits in the comfort of your home or office. This feature is offered free of charge to AO members. For your patients, we have a new online patient education section that now offers printed brochures. In addition, we have an online service that enables dental implant patients to locate the nearest AO member professional. We thank members of the Website Development Committee, led by Chair Dr. Alan Pollack, for their efforts.
		AO-Sponsored Programs Under Dr. Clark Stanford's leadership, three AO members, Drs. Thomas Dodson, Paul Fugazzotto, and H.P. Weber, will present "Risk Factor Assessment for Our Patients - What You Need to Know," at the Yankee Dental Congress, Boston, MA, January 25. AO is also planning to co-sponsor a symposium at the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 20-23.
		Founders Video Documentary Several years ago, the board decided to document the origins of the AO from our early leaders. In 2008, we published a history of the AO, 1985-2007, and now we are in the process of producing a video documentary featuring many of the Academy's first presidents. As part of this video, we will interview Professor P.I. Brånemark as a special report on the beginnings of osseointegration. Dr. Alan Pollack is leading this task force and feels very passionate about its importance to the Academy. Dr. Peter Moy is leading the task force to tell Professor P.I. Brånemark's inspiring story.
		White Paper on "Current Status of Peri-Implantitis Disease" In an effort to follow-up "AO's Summit 2010, Impact of Biological & Technological Advances in Implant Dentistry," a task force chaired by Dr. Clark Stanford has been initiated. For the first time, a collaborative effort with the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), and American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) will lead to publication a white paper on the "Current Status of Peri-Implantitis Disease." AAP will be represented by Dr. Stuart Froum, ACP by Dr. Kent Knoernschild, and AAOMS by Dr. Michael Block. I would like to personally thank everyone for their excellent efforts in their service to the Academy of Osseointegration. May I wish each of you and your families a prosperous new year!