I recently attended the WSPD Board Meeting at the lovely Cedarbrook Lodge in Seattle.  The WSPD meeting brings together states and provinces big and small from throughout the Western District.  I commend the WSPD board for its efforts in supporting all of its members.  The WSPD board appointed Dr. Bri Butler as the first WSPD Advocacy and Legislative Liaison.  This new position will work with members throughout the Western District to assist them in dealing with their state legislatures and advocating on behalf of pediatric dentistry.  Dr. Butler is the perfect candidate for this position given her passion and experience as a PPA.  I look forward to working with and supporting her in this new role.  Congratulations Dr. Butler!

The following day I attended the Washington State Academy of Pediatric Dentistry meeting.  The WSAPD recognized Dr. John Gibbons for his long tenure as the Washington state PPA.  John is a former Western District Trustee and a tremendous advocate for children’s oral health.  Thank you, John, for your many years of service to our profession and the children we serve!  

AAPD President Scott Smith was there as well and commented on how impressed he was with the level of involvement and organization on the part of the WSAPD.  The WSAPD ran a very informative and comprehensive business meeting followed by a half day CE course.  Well done Washington state!

Later in October, I attended the CSPD board meeting at Los Angeles.  At that meeting, California Dental Association Senior Health Policy Analyst Tooka Zokaie gave a very thorough presentation on a variety of issues facing pediatric dentists in California.  Her presentation reminded me of the importance of not only being active in pediatric dental organizations, but also how critical it is to have a strong relationship with our state associations.  The CDA has far more resources at its disposal than even a relatively large pediatric specialty organization like the CSPD.

At the end of October (yes September and October were busy months of travel and meetings!), I spent the day in Mesa at the beautiful Arizona School of Dentistry for the AzAPD meeting.  The Arizona chapter is in very good hands with Abe Itty and incoming President Dia Haque along with the rest of the team. Back in September, Arizona member Jessica Robertson gave a great presentation on dealing with workforce issues at the AAPD Chapter Leadership Summit in Chicago.      

AAPD Board of Trustees Ad Interim Meeting

The AAPD Board of Trustees held its ad interim meeting September 12-13, 2024 in Chicago.  The after action minutes can be found at https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/2024-09-12-13-bot-minutes—final.pdf
      Below is a brief summary of some of the decisions of the board:

1.  Approved Honolulu, HI, to be the site of AAPD 2029.

2. Approved Ricardo A. Perez and Devon V. Shroff to be the Local Arrangement Chairs (LAC) for AAPD 2027, with their term beginning in 2026.
3. Charged the Credential and Ethics Committee to update the complaint process by engaging State Dental Boards to assist in adjudicating complaints of improper advertising on nonpediatric specialists.  
4. Allowed for consideration of nominations of researchers who are not members of AAPD for the Suzi Seale Coll Evidence-Based Dentistry Service Award.
5. Directed the Council on Clinical Affairs to review “Oral and Dental Aspects of Child Abuse and Neglect,” for development of a Policy or Best Practice for the Reference Manual.
6. Transferred editorship of the AAPD Handbook for subsequent editions to: Janice Townsend, Travis Nelson, John Liu
7. Approved Consensus Statement for Org Review: Support “Healthy Beverage Consumption in School-Age Children and Adolescents: Recommendations from Key National Health and Nutrition Organizations”.  

Upcoming Meetings

AAPD/AAO Joint Winter Conference

From Small to Tall: Nurturing the Growth of Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
January 24-26, 2025 at the JW Marriott at Marco Island FL
Registration is open

AAPD Annual Session
May 22-25, 2025 Denver, CO

AAPD/IAPD/Royal College of Surgeons Joint Meeting
September 19-20, 2025
Edinburgh, Scotland
More information to come!