Trustee Report
Dr. Gayle Glenn
Seattle was the site of the successful 107th AAO Annual Session. Dr. William C. Gaylord, from Flagstaff, Arizona was installed as President of the AAO on May 21, 2007. Other officers installed during the 2007 Annual Session included Dr. Raymond George, Sr. as President-Elect and Dr. Robert J. Bray as Secretary-Treasurer.
SWSO members served as Delegates to the HOD: Kirt E. Simmons, Delegation Chair; Clark D. Colville; J. Mark Felton; Devek K. Frech; Stephen D. Robirds; and J. Dean Jensen. Alternate delegates included E. Vann Greer, Jeffrey J. Thompson, and Larry Tadlock. Devek Frech and Dean Jensen each chaired Reference Committees during the meeting. The SWSO was well-represented by all of these individuals during the deliberations of the HOD. A special thanks to Kirt Simmons for stepping up and accepting the responsibility of chairing SWSO’s Delegation.
The 2007 HOD reviewed the budget and additional resolutions with budget impact. They approved a deficit budget with $1,036,250 to be funded from excess liquid reserves. Had the HOD opted to fund the deficit through a dues increase, that increase would have been approximately $127 per active member. For your convenience, a complete report of the HOD’s actions is now posted on the AAO member web site (www.AAOmembers.org).
Consumer Awareness has been identified as one the AAO’s Critical Issues. The “More Than a Smile” campaign will continue in 2007-08, as funded by the two-year $450 member assessment passed by the 2006 HOD. The Council on Communications (COC) has given notice that they plan to ask for funding to continue the campaign into 2008-09 and beyond. Expansion of the current campaign is currently being studied by COC, as directed by the HOD. Funding was approved for web site review/redesign for www.braces.org and www.AAOmembers.org.
Recruitment and retention of orthodontic educators has also been identified as a critical issue. Several innovative programs were funded by the HOD, including:
- Funding for Distance Education Technology for Accredited Orthodontic Graduate Programs ($150,000);
- Master Orthodontic Educator and Mentorship Programs ($35,000);
- Advocacy for Faculty Benefits ($5,000); and
- Orthodontic Fellowships ($900,000).
The program to fund six orthodontic fellowships was approved for residents who commit to five years of full-time teaching. The recommended amount of each fellowship is $150,000 at $30,000 per year. It is anticipated that the total amount will be paid out over the next five years.
Resolutions concerning faculty recruitment and augmentation of junior faculty salaries were referred to the Task Force on Recruitment and Retention of Faculty. The Task Force is charged with the following:
- Determine if augmenting faculty salaries with a commitment from the recipient and/or the orthodontic program will help toward achieving long-term strategic goals; and,
- Align the goals with the Task Force’s recommendations so that the AAO can work toward a long-term strategic/business plan that will have a positive impact on the crisis over recruitment/retention of orthodontic faculty.
Unexpended funds of $374,250 from the 2006-07 Faculty Development Awards program are being carried forward for distribution by the Task Force upon request.
The AAO Board of Trustees voted to give $180,100 to the AAO Foundation (AAOF). This funding, allocated from the AAO’s financial reserves, will be used to support the AAOF’s Faculty Teaching Fellowships.
Relationships with the ADA and other related healthcare organizations are of critical concern. The Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Don Joondeph, AAO Past-President, to serve as commissioner to the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation. He will replace Dr. James Vaden, who will complete his term in October 2007. The Board of Trustees will discuss with the ADA ethical concerns related to the use of “certified,” “qualified,” or other like terms, by dentists who have participated in Continuing Education programs sponsored by commercial entities. AAO constituent and component organizations should inform the AAO of members who are serving on ADA Constituent Board, Councils, and Committees.
The HOD funded a committee to participate in designing orthodontic diagnostic descriptors and codes for the development of interoperable electronic health record systems. Additionally, $5,000 was approved for the AAO to become a member of The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry for the current year.
American Board of Orthodontics (ABO)/AAO relations presented heated discussion during the 2007 Annual Session. This issue has been referred to a joint committee of AAO and ABO members to consider the interests of all parties. Two face-to-face meetings and conference calls are anticipated to discuss issues important to both organizations, with recommendations going to the 2008 HOD.
With the upcoming 2008 U. S. Presidential election, governmental affairs and advocacy are of increased importance to AAO members. The HOD passed a resolution requiring the AAO Washington legislative counsel to prepare an annual report to the Board of Trustees and the HOD. The report will provide a summary of the progress on key issues and identify conflicts of interest related to the AAO advocacy efforts, and define what impact these issues have upon the AAO and its members.
Other actions from Seattle:
- A “Future Directions Committee” of the HOD will be appointed every three years to conduct a strategic planning session that will study a variety of future trends.
- A Bylaws amendment now allows service members to join the constituent organization where he or she plans to practice or reside after completing military service. However, service members are not required to make this designation.
- The “Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct” was revised to allow members to list honorary degrees in health-related disciplines after their names.
- New policies regarding services provided by the AAO Library were adopted.
- AAO student members may request a free subscription to AAO’s online education lectures.
- A new category of membership was introduced for international student members.
Dues renewal notices and membership cards have been mailed. Members can renew their AAO membership online. Go to www.AAOmembers.org and select the link “Pay your dues” on the home page. The link is found in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
Mark your calendar for the 2008 AAO Technology Conference to be held February 8-10, 2008 at the J.W. Marriott Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. Attendance will be limited. The 108th AAO Annual Session will be in Denver, Colorado May 16-20, 2008.
Thank you for the opportunity to represent the SWSO at the AAO Board level. If you have any questions, please call me at 972-296-3349 (W) or 214-520-2481 (H). I look forward to seeing everyone in San Antonio for the SWSO/MSO/GLAO joint meeting September 27-30, 2007!