Trustee Report
Dr. Gayle Glenn
The 2007 Leadership and Governmental Affairs Conference was held January 28-31, 2007 in Washington, DC. SWSO members who attended included: Judy Salisbury (SWSO Executive Director), John Carter (Kansas State Association of Orthodontists), Mel DeSoto (AAO Immediate Past-President), Jim Dyer (SWSO), Mark Felton (SWSO), David Hall (SWSO and Oklahoma Orthodontic Society), Scott Hamilton (COGA and AAOPAC), Larson Keso (SWSO), Frank Miller (SWSO), Robert Morrison (SWSO), Michael Ragan (SWSO and Texas Association of Orthodontists), Claude R. Stephens, Jr. (SWSO), Larry Tadlock (SWSO President-elect), Thomas Williams (Oklahoma Orthodontic Society), and Gayle Glenn (SWSO Trustee).
The conference provided an AAO leadership orientation for constituent and component leaders, reviewed the AAO's Critical Issues and Strategic Goals, and discussed the AAO's legislative agenda and governmental affairs efforts. Patton-Boggs, our legislative consultants, provided both training and opportunity for effectively meeting with federal legislators. I feel that component and constituent leaders gained valuable insight and perspective of the AAO's governmental affairs efforts during the conference. I would like to thank those who took time away from their offices and family responsibilities to represent SWSO at this important conference.
Consumer Awareness has been identified as one of AAO's Critical Issues. The "More Than a Smile" campaign will continue in 2007-08 as funded by the two-year member assessment passed by the 2006 AAO House of Delegates. The Council on Communication has given notice that they plan to ask for funding to continue the campaign in 2008-09 and beyond. COC recommends convening a consumer focus group as part of an evaluation of the content and navigation ease of the www.braces.org website. The council has also proposed creating of a new interactive adult hygiene DVD and the updating of the design and content of five existing consumer education brochures. COC plans to create a new DVD that will be a continuation of the 2005 set of interdisciplinary management DVDs created by Dr. Vincent G. Kokich.
Orthodontic Education is another one of the Critical Issues identified by the AAO. The Task Force on Faculty Recruitment and Retention has proposed a number of innovative programs to address the shortage of orthodontic faculty. These include creating a repository for distance learning programs to be used by orthodontic graduate programs, sponsoring attendance at the Institute of Academic Leadership, development of a Master Orthodontic Educator Program, formation of an AAO Job Bank for faculty openings, and development of a Mentor Guide. The Task Force also recommends awarding six Orthodontic Fellowships to residents who commit to five years of full-time teaching. The recommended amount of each of the six fellowships is $150,000 at $30,000 per year.
In past AAO surveys, members have ranked staff recruitment/retention and training as a major concern. The AAO recently launched the Orthodontic Staff Club, which is open to all orthodontic staff. Through this new program, your staff will receive numerous benefits that will help them succeed professionally, thereby enhancing your practice. The Orthodontic Staff Club annual fee is $25 per individual. The application is available on www.AAOmembers.org.
A shortage of trained orthodontic staff is also a critical issue. AAO Services, Inc. has endorsed the Academy of Orthodontic Assisting (AOA), a leader in online, self-paced orthodontic staff training, to address this need. Orthodontic staff members can have varying levels of training and experience. This newly endorsed training program will help increase their knowledge in a uniform manner. The tests provide immediate feedback and the curriculum is available anywhere anytime. The AOA program offers training in clinical elements of orthodontic practice by means of online training modules and hands-on retreats. You can contact AAO Services, Inc. for more information.
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.
Thank you for the opportunity to represent the SWSO at the AAO Board level. If you have any questions, please contact me at 972-296-3349.