Nearly 2,000 clinicians from 54 countries attended the 30th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Osseointegration (AO), from March 12-14 in San Francisco. With the theme of “Science, Collaboration and Clinical Excellence for 30 Years,” the event featured presentations from internationally renowned speakers offering their experience and expertise in dental implants and tissue engineering. The meeting also showcased a record-breaking amount of research and a sold-out Exhibit Hall.
“Every year I keep coming back because it’s eye opening every time,” said Dr. Luigi Massa, a general dentist from San Antonio. “Dental school gave us the basics, but AO has definitely opened the door to what is possible.”
To order conference proceedings on DVD-ROM, claim continuing education credits, view the Show Daily, or learn how to become an AO member visit www.osseo.org. Save the date for the 2016 Annual Meeting, from February 18-20 in San Diego, titled “Globalization of Implant Dentistry: A World Collaboration.”
(Day One) AO Honors Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark
“He was hypnotizing,” said Dr. Burton Langer, a periodontist from New York City, one of the many who gave tribute to Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark during a special video memorializing his life, which was played before the start of the Opening Symposium.
In the video, AO Past-President Dr. Joseph Gian-Grasso is quoted, “It is because of Professor Brånemark that the Academy of Osseointegration exists, and we aspire to encompass his passion and to continue his lifelong work to enhance oral health globally.”
Following the video, Osseointegration Foundation (OF) President Dr. Clarence Lindquist presented the 8th Nobel Biocare Brånemark Osseointegration Award to Dr. Stephen Parel, saying the award will now be given in memory of Professor Brånemark.
Next, Opening Symposium speakers focused on The Power of Collaboration and the Team Approach. The event’s keynote speaker Dr. Daniel Alam, who was part of the multidisciplinary team that successfully performed the first near total face transplant in the U.S., discussed the importance of complex crossover skills of multiple providers and varied experience.
Other prominent leaders in their fields followed with their lessons learned about enhanced cooperation and coordination between surgical and restorative team members.
That evening, more than 140 young professionals gathered at the trendy 111 Minna Gallery for a special event hosted by AO’s Young Clinicians Committee (YCC).
“We’re pleased to contribute to AO’s growth and influence by bringing together committed young professionals to share their ideas and opinions,” said Lauren Brownfield, Chair of the Committee. To learn more about the YCC visit http://www.osseo.org/NEWyoungClinicians.html.
(DAY TWO) AO Examines, Guides and Explores
Day two kicked off with the Morning with the Masters program, which included six concurrent sessions led by world-renowned experts. Among them, the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants (JOMI) presented a session titled “JOMI: Six Articles That May Change Your Thinking.”
The afternoon featured the Focus on South Korea Symposium, which included several presentations delivered by renowned dental experts from South Korea, a country that boasts the world’s highest per capita use of dental implants.
“South Korea is not only a highly developed implant market but also a leader in clinical research in the dental implant industry,” said Dr. David M. Kim, who co-moderated the Symposium with Dr. Brian Chang. “It’s both important and refreshing to see and hear how dentistry is practiced in different countries.”
Afternoon programming also included the track, Science in Treatment: Where’s the Evidence?, in which Dr. Clark Stanford gave a presentation focused on “drawing a line in the sand” surrounding the treatment and management of the edentulous maxilla. The information addressed outcomes of AO’s 2014 Summit, which will generate 12 upcoming papers to be published in JOMI.
That evening, nearly 3,000 attendees celebrated with 2014-15 AO President Dr. Joseph Gian-Grasso as his presidency drew to a close. They strolled galleries, tinkering with interactive exhibits and enjoying lively entertainment and conversation with colleagues at the Exploratorium. .
"Insights from world-renown experts and sharing ideas with old and new colleagues from across the globe make the AO and our Annual Meeting so unique and meaningful,” said Dr. Gian-Grasso during the President’s Reception. “The Exploratorium is the perfect place to celebrate another year of AO’s role in furthering our profession with our dedicated, curious and enthusiastic membership.”
(DAY THREE) AO Brings it All Together
Dr. Jennifer Doobrow and Tracy Butler, RDH, exemplified the high energy, enthusiastic, collaborative approach as they kicked off the Annual Meeting’s full-day TEAM Program, which brought dental team members together to discuss various approaches, challenges and choices.
Participants in Saturday’s full-day Laboratory Technician Program, featuring both dentists and dental laboratory technicians, received expert advice on optimizing efficiency when working together and creating treatment plans.
Considerations for Monday Morning’s Patient was a new series of six programs that focused on treating common cases. “We must ask ourselves how practical is the information being presented and how practical is it for our practices on Monday morning,” said Dr. Stephen Jacobs, introducing the session.
The Annual Meeting’s Closing Symposium was a group effort. Interactive Session: Putting it All Together – Two Missing Adjacent Teeth in the Esthetic Zone: Options for Treatment, enabled general dentists, specialists and other members of the dental team to provide input about treatment decisions and share their perspectives about the best treatment approach with the entire group. The program featured a panel of dental leaders imparting their expertise in diagnostics, surgical techniques and restorative analysis. The audience incorporated all panel and individual knowledge to provide their own input and the results were analyzed.
AO Research Goes Digital, Shapes Future of Implant Dentistry
A record-breaking amount of original research, including clinical cases of interest in the field of implant dentistry, was presented at the Annual Meeting. Presentations ranged from digital planning and new esthetic techniques to prevention strategies and stem cell biology.
“The outstanding research we saw at this year’s meeting – presented by clinicians from around the world – will help to shape the future of implant dentistry,” said Dr. Mehrdad Favagehi, chair of AO’s Research Submission Committee. “I was particularly proud of the many young clinicians who presented research and showed a real commitment to furthering this field of dentistry and medicine.”
Dr. Favagehi’s committee brought E-Posters to AO’s Annual Meeting for the first time. To digitally view some 350 studies in this format, visit www.osseo.org. Search for each poster by its number, title, author or keyword.
AO Elects New President
Russell D. Nishimura, DDS, a prosthodontist and Professor Emeritus, UCLA School of Dentistry, was appointed 2015-2016 president of AO at the organization’s Annual Business Meeting. He succeeds former Academy President Dr. Gian-Grasso.
“The Academy of Osseointegration has always been committed to addressing and supporting the dynamic, rapidly advancing field of implant dentistry and the needs of its members,” said Dr. Nishimura. “I am ready to partner with my fellow Board Members to embrace fresh ideas while also carrying on our long-standing commitment to advancing oral health globally.”
About the Academy of Osseointegration
With 6,000 members in 70 countries around the world, the AO is recognized as the premier international association for professionals interested in implant dentistry. AO serves as a nexus where specialists and generalists can come together to evaluate emerging research, technology, and techniques,; share best information; and coordinate optimal patient care using timely, evidence-based science and methods. Follow AO on Facebook and Twitter.
