Applications for the 2007 oral/case examinations for Associate Fellow and Fellow membership are due in the Headquarters Office by February 1.  Those who passed the written part of the Associate Fellow examination in 2003 are urged to apply since this is the last time that the oral/case examinations will be given during their four-year eligibility period.  The Admissions and Credentials Board will give the examinations in Chicago, May 4 - 6.

All materials related to the examination process, including the application, are posted in the Education/Credentials section of the AAID website. 

If you have questions about the examination process, contact Joyce Sigmon by phone at 312-335-1550 or 877-335-2243 (toll-free) or by e-mail at joyce@aaid.com.

Call for Posters and Table Clinics at 56th Annual Meeting

Poster Presentations and Table Clinics will be an important part of the AAID 56th Annual Meeting and an ideal opportunity for dental professionals and graduate students to participate.

Poster Presentations will be on display in the Exhibit Hall Thursday, November 8 through Saturday, November 10. A panel of judges will evaluate each Poster Presentation on Friday, November 9; first, second and third place winners will be announced and will receive cash prizes. Table Clinics will be offered on Friday, November 9 during the afternoon refreshment break. The three best table clinics will also receive cash prizes.

A complete application and additional information is available online.  We will accept Poster Session and Table Clinic applications until February 28, 2007. The Annual Meeting Committee will notify applicants of their acceptance by March 31, 2007.

Main Podium Program Topics at AAID 56th Annual Meeting   Learn more about the meeting and the Main Podium Programs. Registration is now open for the AAID 56th Annual Meeting.  It will be held November 7 - 11, 2007 at the Rio Suites Hotel in Las Vegas.    The online registration form  is available; or print the registration form  and fax to us at 312-335-9090.    To make your reservation, call the Rio Suites at 888.746.6955 today or make your reservations online.  Be sure and mention the AAID Meeting Code "SRAAM7."

Western District Meeting to Feature Live Surgery The Western District's 2007 event is entitled “Going Live – Focus on the Sinus.”  This program will be held in Newport Beach, California April 19-21, 2007.  The theme of the meeting involves the surgical and prosthetic reconstruction of the posterior maxilla with specific emphasis on the various surgical techniques currently used to augment the pneumatized sinus.  Complete registration information in now available. The program will showcase live surgery performed at Loma Linda University and broadcast simultaneously through the internet to the meeting.  A live feed of the course will also be available for purchase to be viewed online for study club members who cannot travel to California.  The Newport Beach venue will significantly complement the educational experience with world famous shopping at Fashion Island, Dining in Newport Harbor, and beautiful California beaches only minutes away.

Central District meeting - February 8 - 11, 2007 The 2007 Central District meeting will be held in conjunction with the Midwest Implant Institute's 20th Anniversary Symposium, February 9 - 11, 2007 in Columbus, Ohio.  A complete brochure and registration information is available online.

2007 Membership Dues for AAID due now The 2nd dues renewal notice for 2007 was sent to you earlier this month.   Dues must be received by March 31, 2007 to assure that your membership services are not interrupted.  You may renew online at  www.aaid.com/renewal or fax your renewal with a credit card to 312-335-9090 or mail t American Academy of Implant Dentistry c/o Delaware Place Bank 190 E. Delaware Place, Dept. #350 Chicago, IL 60611 Special Dues rates for recent dental grads The Academy offers reduced dues ratres for dentists who graduated from dental school, a general practice residency, or a graduate dental program in oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontics or prosthodontics as follows: Year 1 after graduation:  $100 Year 2 after graduation:  $200 Year 3 after graduation:  General dues rate in effect at that time.

Coming Soon - New Insurance Programs for AAID Members The Academy has selected Treloar & Heisel, Inc. to provide a wide variety of insurance programs typically needed by AAID members.  The programs, which will be available within the next couple of months include:  Disability Income; Business Overhead Expense;  Life (including Term and Permanent); Long-term Care; Businessowners Policy/Workers Compensation and Auto/Homeowners. Watch the AAID website, the monthly eGram, AAID News and your mailbox for further information.

2007 AAID Calendar of Events Central District Meeting & Symposium - February 9 - 11, 2007 - Columbus, Ohio (in conjunction with Midwest Implant Institute 20th Annual Symposium) Bone Grafting Course - March 23 - 24, 2007 - Dayton, Ohio Western District Meeting - April 19 - 21, 2007 - Newport Beach, California Associate Fellow/Fellow Oral Case Examinations - May 4 - 6, 2007 - Chicago, Illinois AAID 56th Annual Meeting - November 7 - 11, 2007 - Las Vegas, Nevada

Business Bite   EDITOR’S NOTE:  Each issue of the AAID eGram will provide information about the business aspects of the practice of implant dentistry.  Entitled “Business Bite,” these will include information that you may find useful to running your practice more profitably.    It’s more and more common to talk with people whose native language isn’t our own. Miscommunication is easy with anyone who’s not talking as we’re used to hearing.  Nancy Friedman, The Telephone Doctor, in her article "How to Handle the Foreign Accent" offers five tips that will help you and your staff communicate better with all patients.

This AAID eGram is provided as a member service by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.  Copyright 2007 American Academy of Implant Dentistry.  Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission.