Leadership
“There could be no better time to get involved”
AAOP President, Jeffrey I. Goldberg DDS MS MBA
Some day I will be an old man. At least I hope so. It seems to me that old men and women always have stories; stories about how things changed and how their lives intersected with those changes. Stories about being in the right place at the right time, and often in the right place before it even was the right time. It is with eternal gratitude to the pioneers and leaders in our field that I can now look forward to telling my stories. How I was there before, during and after the time when my chosen profession became validated as a specialty. We are there right now. It is happening right now, and we are the ones who will have the tremendous privilege of some day looking back and saying how we were there. How we shaped the future and set the rules. How orofacial pain as we know it came to be back then in the roaring 2020’s.
It is no exaggeration to say that this is a moment in history. It has been three years already, but with the COVID pandemic, it seems like we are just now really coming into the light and fully embracing what has happened. There could be no more exciting time to be in orofacial pain, and to be part of the AAOP, and especially to get involved as a leader or educator. I will gladly tell anyone this is a big part of my motivation to become president. I love the field, and I love the people I have gotten to know in the field. But I also love the idea of being here, at the heart of it, as the world is changing, and every one of you reading this is welcome to join i.
For those who were fortunate enough to attend our annual meeting in Orlando, I hope you will agree that there was great energy in the air. The speakers were fantastic. Mariona and Alex and their organizing committee did a phenomenal job selecting such outstanding presenters and topics, and lining them up to create a real experience. Outside of the lecture hall, people were talking, learning, sharing, and improving. If you missed it, please don’t miss it again – plan now to join us next year in Scottsdale, and get online to see the lectures and share ideas.
As we move forward into the new year, our board has established three major objectives. Number one is marketing. That is no simple concept. We will be developing a comprehensive marketing plan taking into account different audiences, different messages, and different vehicles to get those messages out. We will be looking at marketing our services to referring providers, marketing the AAOP to potential members, marketing the specialty to dental students and practicing dentists, and more. Number two is education. AAOP enjoys a reputation as the premier resource in our field for evidence-based, reliable information. We are going to build on that, producing our own content, endorsing content from other sources that has merit, and even collaborating with significant education institutions to promote awareness, raise revenue, and of course disperse quality education. And thirdly, we are evaluating our membership and dues structure to ensure a sustainable future and to make AAOP work for different groups of members. At a time like this, we face some fundamental questions about who AAOP represents and serves, and what the future looks like, and I am amazed at the brilliant people we have tackling these issues.
We need smart, dedicated, thoughtful people. Whatever your strengths and interests, there is a place for you.
There could be no better time to get involved. AAOP has nearly twenty committees, and each one will continue to be very productive in the year ahead. We have a new system in place to ensure accountability, transparency, and collaboration so the committees can perform at the highest levels. We need smart, dedicated, thoughtful people. Whatever your strengths and interests, there is a place for you. Please get in touch with me or our secretary elect Brijesh, who will be overseeing the committee system, to find out how to get started. I can promise you it will be one of the most rewarding parts of your career in this field which we are all so fortunate to be a part of.
Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Bob Mier for his incredible leadership this past year. His hard work and intelligent management will leave an impression for many years to come. To me personally, he is an example I look up to as a man of character and integrity, and I will do my best to keep building on all that he has accomplished. Good job, old man!
AAOP Council
The Council includes all of the elected officers of the Academy and has full power to act on behalf of the Academy in the interim between meetings of the Academy and shall transact all business of the Academy, except the election of officers. The Council shall report its proceedings to the Academy’s General Membership at each annual meeting for approval.
Subcommittee:
Executive Committee (View Members)
Continuing Education Oversight Committee
The Continuing Education Committee will coordinate with the central office to ensure that the AAOP maintains it status as an approved continuing education provider. o The Continuing Education Workgroup will meet at least semi-annually including in person at the annual scientific meeting. All other meeting may be electronic or coincide with other meetings as opportunities arise. o The Continuing Education Committee will review the annual scientific meeting evaluation summary within five (5) months of the completed meeting. o The Continuing Education Committee will explore and implement options for modernizing the AAOP annual meeting by utilizing current technology to enhance the attendee experience. o Will coordinate with the program chairs and poster chair to develop and present a continuing education program at each year’s annual scientific meeting.
Subcommittees:
Program 2022 (View Members)
Program 2023 (View Members)
Access To Care
Provide members with insurance coding information on a yearly basis, broken down into ICD-10 and CPT format. o Continue to improve relations with patient advocate groups and explore exactly how the Academy can help and also benefit from these alliances o Continue with work on using the medical model for provision of OFP care and the training of our members.
Subcommittees:
Specialty (Only certain members can view this committee)
Budget
The Budget Committee is responsible for developing a detailed budget proposal for the Academy’s ensuing year. The Committee is to present their proposed itemized budget for Council approval, 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting.
Constitution and Bylaws
(1) The Committee shall study the Constitution and Bylaws and recommend to the Council any changes which appear desirable at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Council Meeting.
(2) Upon approval by the Council, the Committee Chair shall present the Committee’s recommended Bylaws changes to the General Membership for approval. For ratification see Chapter XIII section 2.
(3) The Chair shall be responsible to verify that Bylaws changes ratified by the General Membership have been duly added to the most current Official copy of the Bylaws, as kept by the Secretary at the Academy Central Office, no later than thirty (30) days after each General Membership Meeting.
(4) The Committee is authorized to correct article and section designation, punctuation, spelling, gender reference, and cross references as may be necessary to reflect the intent of the Academy without Membership approval. o Ensure that all officers and chairs review and revise their sections of the P&P o Review the documents for errors and omissions, update as per new bylaws
Ethics & Grievances
Continually review Academy mission statement and suggest any changes, in particular emphasizing the Academy’s ideal of evidence-based care. o Review any ethical charges brought to the attention of the committee or the council. o The Committee is charged with disclosure overview as well as evaluating potential conflicts of interest for all members in a leadership position for AAOP.
Only certain members can view this committee
Guidelines
The Guidelines Committee is responsible for revision of each edition of the Academy Guidelines publications on Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders.
Industry Relations
The Industry Relations Committee, author of the Conflict of Interest Guidelines, interfaces with Industry in a four-fold manner: – Protect the Public Trust. – Protect Orofacial Pain’s scientific integrity. – Protect AAOP’s professional integrity. – Provide guidance to AAOP members regarding conflict of interest issues. It is through the Industry Relations Committee that potential AAOP meeting sponsors engage AAOP initially.
Membership Committee
Review all applicants for membership in the academy and notify Council and Ethics/Grievances committee of any discrepancies or possible reasons for denying membership to an applicant. o Review the applications for Fellow Status in the Academy and make recommendations for approval to Council. o Review the applications for Life Member Status in the Academy and make recommendations for approval to Council. o Develop and implement a marketing plan or work directly with any ad-hoc committee or task force in order to do same o Review and revise as needed the AAOP membership application. o Attempt to contact all expired members within by June 30th of each year. o Conduct the annual new member and new fellow orientation at the annual meeting
Nominating
(1) To conduct balloting procedures for the nomination and election of candidates for Officers of the Academy and at-large Council and committee representatives as specified in the Bylaws for the upcoming fiscal year at the annual business meeting of the General Membership.
Only certain members can view this committee
Past Presidents
Only certain members can view this committee
Physical Therapy
Develop PT membership in AAOP and certification in OFP. Provide CE to PTs concurrent with AAOP annual meeting.
Professional Relations
Oversee professional relations with other organizations.
Subcommittee: Ambassador (View Members)
Publications
Responsible for editing and distributing AAOP news, production of patient brochures and liaison with journal publisher.
Research
Encourage research in the area of OFP in undergraduate and post graduate programs. Review and choose research projects to be funded by the Academy. Develop fund raising strategies.
Resident/Academic Training Committee
The Pre-Doctoral Subcommittee shall be responsible for monitoring and recommending pre-doctoral dental school curricula pertaining to orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders. The Post-Doctoral Subcommittee shall be responsible for monitoring and recommending post-doctoral dental school curricula pertaining to orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders and shall develop and operate an accreditation protocol for such programs. The Review Course Coordinator shall be responsible for developing, arranging and holding continuing education review courses on orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders on behalf of the Academy. Contact all members of Graduate and CE OFP programs in the United States. Represent to council the specific interests of new members, recent graduates and participants of OFP programs.
Subcommittees
Sub Committee of OFP Program Directors (View Members)
Resident/Academic Training Committee
The Pre-Doctoral Subcommittee shall be responsible for monitoring and recommending pre-doctoral dental school curricula pertaining to orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders. The Post-Doctoral Subcommittee shall be responsible for monitoring and recommending post-doctoral dental school curricula pertaining to orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders and shall develop and operate an accreditation protocol for such programs. The Review Course Coordinator shall be responsible for developing, arranging and holding continuing education review courses on orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders on behalf of the Academy. Contact all members of Graduate and CE OFP programs in the United States. Represent to council the specific interests of new members, recent graduates and participants of OFP programs.
Subcommittees
Sub Committee of OFP Program Directors (View Members)
Sleep Medicine
1) The Education Subcommittee will function to promote the education of sleep and sleep related issues germane to the academy membership, both in an advisory and cooperative manner with the academy’s program committee.
2) The Practice Parameters Subcommittee will establish evidence-based guidelines as they apply to the dentist’s role in sleep medicine.
Strategic Planning Committee
Develop and monitor a strategic plan for AAOP.
Web & Marketing Committee
The Website Committee shall oversee and edit the Official Academy Website and as deemed appropriate by Council.
Mentorship – Ad Hoc
To match new members with mentors.