AAP elects new officers

Sep 15, 2009

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) announced the election of new officers at its annual meeting in Boston this week.

The academy named Samuel Low, D.D.S., M.S., of Gainesville, FL, as president. Dr. Low is the associate dean and a professor of periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry in Gainesville.

Don Clem, D.D.S., of Fullerton, CA, stands next in line in the position of president-elect. An AAP member since 1982, Dr. Clem previously served on the Board of Trustees as vice president in 2009 and secretary/treasurer during 2008. He is also a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a past president of the California Society of Periodontists.

Pamela McClain, D.D.S., of Aurora, CO, became vice president. A former dental hygienist, Dr. McClain maintains a full-time private practice limited to periodontics in Aurora and is a part-time clinical assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry.

Nancy Newhouse, D.D.S., of Lee's Summit, MO, was installed as secretary/treasurer.

Dr. Low replaces David Cochran, D.D.S., Ph.D., of San Antonio. During his tenure as AAP president in 2009, Dr. Cochran aimed to increase understanding of the role of inflammation in the progression of periodontal disease and the link between periodontal disease and other systemic diseases. To that end, he helped spearhead a partnership with the American Journal of Cardiology to write a paper on the link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Cochran also oversaw a joint conference between the AAP and the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO).