Since achieving dental specialty, AAOP leaders have stepped up to ensure we thrive…

Dear AAOP member,

What an amazing annual meeting we had in Scottsdale! We had record attendance for this exceptional scientific program.

My congratulations to all involved in the planning and execution of the meeting, from Tom Weber and Isabel Moreno-Hay, our scientific program co-chairs, to all the committee members, speakers, and authors of posters and oral presentations. I also want to thank Allan O’Bryan and his team in the central office who worked with the Talking Stick Hotel staff to make certain the conference ran smoothly. It was great to catch up with friends and colleagues, to meet new members and first time attendees, and to hold productive hallway discussions in which bright ideas are often shared, leading to change and growth.

The AAOP is well-positioned for success.
We have highly engaged and motivated volunteers in the council and committees.

Our hope is for more volunteers to get involved. With your help, we can implement the following goals, that I have set for this year. These goals are the following:

• promoting recognition of the AAOP and our specialty to the public, health care professionals, patients, and their advocates
• supporting the needs of its members and their ability to succeed as professionals
• prioritizing financial stability, ensuring that AAOP’s financial resources are used wisely, while achieving a positive net operating income
• continuing to provide exceptional evidence-based education through our annual educational programs and virtual learning, as well as through collaborations with other professional organizations
• encouraging and expanding research opportunities within our profession.

I am looking forward to a productive year and I encourage any of you who would like to volunteer and lend your expertise to the AAOP, to explore joining a committee and serve. Please do not hesitate to approach any of us on the Council. We are here for you.

Mariona Mulet Pradera, DDS, MS
AAOP President