Editor's note: Allan Farman's column, Talking Pictures, appears regularly on the DrBicuspid.com advice and opinion page, Second Opinion.
The dental specialty of oral and maxillofacial radiology was approved by vote in the ADA House of Delegates in October 1999. The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (AAOMR) -- then known as the American Academy of Dental Roentgenologists -- had its first congress in October 1949. The AAOMR will celebrate both anniversaries next month at its annual congress in Louisville, KY.
It is not a mistake that the AAOMR name now represents a field of knowledge rather than select individuals within the discipline. The organization's aim is to be inclusive and welcome participation by all who have an interest in the field. Members and participants at the congress are not exclusively specialists in oral and maxillofacial radiology.
In fact, the annual congress provides the opportunity to obtain ADA CERP continuing education credit for attending lectures, workshops, and scientific sessions. The congress also has a technical exhibit. Keynote speakers this year include Lucia Cevidanes, D.D.S., Ph.D., who will lecture on 3D surface models; Michael Gelb, D.D.S., who will discuss diagnosis of breathing disorders; Jeffrey Okeson, D.M.D., who will give a half-day workshop on the diagnosis and management of intracapsular disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ); and Per Lennart Westesson, M.D., D.D.S., Ph.D., who will provide information on TMJ imaging and what dentists should recognize in images of the cervical spine. (The Okeson/Westesson components are part of a one-day continuing education course that is available with or without attending the rest of the congress.) These key speakers are, respectively, an orthodontist, a person who limits his practice to oral medicine, perhaps the leading expert on TMJ disorders in the U.S., and a medical diagnostic radiologist.
As you can see, there is much to learn at the congress that can impact many aspects of dentistry. Dental practice is becoming increasingly dependent on advanced imaging procedures carried out in the practice or through referral to an imaging center. The dental marketplace is also seeing geometric growth both in the number of cone-beam CT systems and the total numbers of sales, with ownership approaching 3,000 units in the U.S. alone. Cone-beam CT systems represent a significant financial investment. Attending AAOMR meetings is one way to gain knowledge that will help maximize the efficiency of using the newer imaging modalities and the diagnostic return to your patients. And, unlike most meetings, this one is independent of vendor-vested interests.
As incoming president of the AAOMR, alongside Laurie Carter, D.D.S., Ph.D., the outgoing president, I hope to be able to welcome many of the readers of this column to Louisville from October 21-24 to share knowledge, science, and hospitality.
For more information about the AAOMR and the annual Congress, visit www.aaomr.org.
The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.
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