President's Report
President’s Message
By Dr. Joseph Orrico President,
American Academy of Implant Dentistry
Spring 2011
I can’t believe I’m sitting on my couch, watching the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks fight for their hockey playoff life, while the people in Japan are literally fighting for their survival. The world continues to be stunned by the tragedy in Japan. The lives of many of our Japanese AAID colleagues, their families, their dental practices, and their patients have been damaged or destroyed by the initial and now multiple earthquakes and tsunamis. I know that I speak for all AAID members when I express our deep sympathy and our heartfelt condolences to our members and all of Japan for what they have been through — and continue to go through.
As an organization, AAID is helping direct our members to relief organizations that can help and have offered a dues waiver for any members in Japan who request it. We hope that this small gesture can help. Just like business and life goes on in Japan, we at the AAID continue to pursue the business of the Academy.
One of the benefits of living in the Chicago area is that I can drop into the AAID office whenever I feel like it. During the first few months of my presidency, that feeling hit me every couple of weeks. Now, it is fallen off to once a month. Nonetheless, I can still drop in unannounced if I want. So the headquarters staff must remain on their toes. Of course, that really isn’t a problem. My observation is that the AAID is blessed to have one of the most dedicated, hardworking, and results-oriented professional staff of any organization I have been affiliated with.
Two of my recent excursions to the headquarters office involved meeting with representatives of other dental organizations. Sharon Bennett and I met with the president and executive director of the American Academy of Endodontists. We had a very candid discussion about where implants fit in the treatment planning for failing teeth.
More recently, we met with the president and executive board of the Academy of General Dentistry. We reviewed opportunities for AAID to provide education about implants to members of the AGD. We brought up our success in the courts obtaining recognition for the AAID Credential and pointed out that, as a result of our efforts, particularly in Florida, the AGD’s Mastership and Fellowship awards were also recognized by the Courts.
Unfortunately, when we requested that AGD provide some funding for the past successes and future efforts, they didn’t toss money at us. They didn’t even say they might think about it. The reason we asked wasn’t because we are in desperate need of the money. As you saw on the front cover of this issue of AAID News, we recently entered into an agreement with the State of California to receive the balance of nearly $1 million to help reimburse AAID for a part of our ongoing legal efforts. Rather, our success in pursuing our legal strategy benefits any nonspecialist organization that grants bona fide credentials. If they share in the benefits, they should share in cost.
AAID’s Public Relations Committee met in January and presented a proposal to the Board of Trustees to undertake a significant and sustainable marketing campaign to encourage the public to seek out AAID credentialed members for their implant care. The Board endorsed the concept and requested a detailed plan, which the Committee is anx- ious to complete. The plan is to bring a proposal to the Board of Trustees when it meets again in June to create a complete and detailed business plan that can be implemented beginning in 2012.
The way we get our information and education has changed. The Academy needs to change how it delivers the excellent content that we have. We have started the process. Go to our web site — www.aaid.com — and click on the Education tab. There you will find AAID Online Learning. We have streaming video of a number of presentations in several categories. We are moving forward with webinars and podcasts that should be available by the Fall.
When I spoke at the Annual Business meeting in Boston last October, I mentioned that the window of opportunity to honor some of the pioneers in implant dentistry and great leaders of the Academy is closing. I was sorry to hear of the passing of one of those pioneers — A. Norman Cranin, DDS, DEng. At that time, I pointed out that they “took the arrows” on our behalf, and we are simply reaping the benefits of their courage and hard work. Seek out our great leaders and pioneers. Thank them for what they have done for all of us.
My wife, Trish, and I had the honor of attending the memorial service for Dr. Cranin held at the Waldorf School at Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. We were fortunate enough to have witnessed an outpouring of love and support mixed with humor as speeches were given by his friends and family. The Academy was well represented by members such as Dr. Carl Misch, Dr. Burt Balkin, Dr. Ken Judy, Dr. Emile Martin, Dr. Jaime Lozada, Dr. Leornad Linkow, Dr. Pankaj Singh, and Dr. Nick Caplanis. I apologize if I left anyone out. Dr. Lozada spoke in recollection of the support and encouragement that Dr. Cranin gave him when he took over the program at Loma Linda. Dr. Linkow gave a moving account of his relationship with Dr. Cranin back to when he was 11 years old. In true Linkow fashion, his tribute was moving, enlightening, hilarious, and, of course, ran over-time. He did get defensive when the podium was approached to cut him short, but he was allowed to continue. Good thing, there was no red light! Overall, it was a memorable and touching service, and I feel honored to have been a part of it.
Frank Sinatra used to sing that “Chicago is my kind of town.” Well, I got to tell you, Vegas is really my kind of town. That’s where I’m going to be October 19 — 22 this year. I’ll be at the AAID’s 60th Annual Meeting at world-famous Caesars’ Palace. Drs. Kim Gowey and Art Molzan have planned an outstanding program of scientific sessions that will help you “stack the deck in your favor” and address the “realities of implant dentistry.” The headquarters office tells me that we are well on our way to having a record number of attendees. Remember we will be celebrating our 60th Anniversary this fall in Las Vegas. What a perfect chance for you to reach out your hand to our pioneers and leaders who have made it possible for you to enjoy a wonderful career in implant dentistry.