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AAO is taking the lead to resolve orthodontic education problems

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Task Force Recommends Long-term Solutions
Posted: November 12, 2007

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS TAKES THE LEAD TO
 
RESOLVE CRISIS IN ORTHODONTIC EDUCATION
 
Task Force Recommends Long-term Solutions
 
  
ST. LOUIS—The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is taking the lead in conceiving and implementing long-term, sustainable strategies to resolve problems related to orthodontic education, with special emphasis on orthodontic faculty retention and recruitment.  Several initiatives are now being implemented, with more planned before the end of 2007.

“All of dentistry has been challenged by the crisis in education,” William C. Gaylord, DDS, MSD, AAO president said.  “So that we, as a specialty within dentistry, could see how this affects orthodontics, the AAO formed a Task Force on Recruitment and Retention of Faculty.  After in-depth study and consultation with graduate education experts from dental specialty organizations, we feel we are on the threshold of reversing this multi-faceted crisis within orthodontic education and are announcing the implementation of several initiatives now.  More will be forthcoming by year’s end.”

Raymond George, Sr., DMD, is chair of the Task Force and president-elect of the AAO.  “We are pleased that the AAO Board of Trustees has approved and funded several new initiatives to build on the first that was put in place last year when the AAO provided $2 million to augment salaries of full-time faculty members of accredited postdoctoral orthodontic programs in the U.S. and Canada,” Dr. George said.

Among the initiatives being announced is the AAO’s commitment of $900,000 to support junior faculty fellowships.  Fellowships will be funded for up to five years.

Further, the AAO designated the Academy of Academic Leadership (AAL) as its master orthodontic education program.  AAL is a professional development program designed to prepare dental practitioners and educators for successful academic careers.  The AAO will sponsor junior faculty participation in the 2008 AAL for candidates nominated by orthodontic programs.  Candidates must be AAO members and must commit to a minimum of two years of full-time teaching.  Those selected for the program may receive financial support.  Full eligibility requirements and application information are available on www.AAOmembers.org <http://www.aaomembers.org/> . Select the “Meetings and Education” link in the left column, then look for links entitled “AAO Full-Time Faculty Teaching (FFT) Fellowship Program” and “AAO Academy of Academic Leadership Sponsorship Program (AALSP).”

          The AAO has pledged to augment full-time faculty salaries for those orthodontic programs unable to take advantage of last year’s faculty salary initiative.  

          The AAO is funding and creating pilot, supplemental orthodontic lecture sessions for a Distance Learning Center. These lectures will be made available to all accredited orthodontic programs to supplement their curriculums as needed.

          Dr. James Vaden has authored a white paper on alumni development.  Dr. Vaden is a Task Force member, chair of the University of Tennessee Orthodontic Department and Commission on Dental Accreditation Commissioner.  The white paper is intended for use by orthodontic departments and orthodontic alumni associations as a guide for fund-raising efforts among orthodontists and alumni.

“These steps will begin to stem the crisis in orthodontic education so that the orthodontic specialty will remain strong and vital well into the future. More initiatives will be announced and implemented in the next several months as we work to measurably reduce the orthodontic faculty shortage,” Dr. George said.

Continuing Support

The AAO has been actively supporting orthodontic faculty and research through the AAO Foundation (AAOF) for more than a decade.  The AAOF endowment campaign, A CASE FOR THE FUTURE, has realized $30.7 million in pledges as of October 1, 2007, of which $21 million has been redeemed.  Endowment earnings support research awards and teaching fellowships.  The AAOF has awarded more than $6.4 million in support of orthodontic faculty and research since 1994.

About the AAO

The AAO is recognized by the American Dental Association as the specialty association for orthodontists.  Founded in 1900, the AAO has 15,500 members in the U.S., Canada and abroad.  The purposes of the AAO are to advance the art and science of orthodontics; to encourage and sponsor research; to strive for and maintain the highest standards of excellence in orthodontic education and practice; and to make significant contributions to the health of the public.

The AAO’s public Web site is www.braces.org <http://www.braces.org/> and its member Web site is www.AAOmembers.org <http://www.aaomembers.org/> .
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