COUNCIL ON ORTHODONTIC EDUCATION REPORT
Dr. P. Emile Rossouw
The Council on Orthodontic Education met at the AAO Central Office in St. Louis on October 20, 2007 and again during the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Annual Session on March 30, 2008 in Dallas. The Council also held conference calls on December 4, 2007 and July 22, 2008. The following items were discussed during the noted meetings:
The COE reviewed and approved the annual budget; discussed the Academy of Academic Leadership program (12/4/07). The AAO requested feedback on the Clinical
Practice Guidelines draft document. Dr. Rossouw represented the COE on the AAO Task Force responsible for restructuring this document. COE discussion and feedback occurred in a conference call on 7/22/08.
Accreditation areas of concern were discussed and it was concluded that orthodontic accreditation standards be updated. The Council encourages that the AAO remain active in all areas of dental accreditation by working with the ADA and CODA. A seat on the Commission by a COE member was discussed.
Drs. Robert Binder and Emile Rossouw were nominated by COE as AAO representatives to the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation Consultants for appointments to commence in October 2007.
Dr. Jerry English reported that an Educators Symposium will be held in November 2008 in St. Louis to review and discuss the examination process towards American Board of Orthodontics certification.
Dr. Horan from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) participated in a review of the application of the Craniofacial and Special Care (CFA & SC) Fellowship and discussed revisions with the council.
Educational mentoring was selected as the theme for the 2008 T.M. Graber Education Leadership Conference in Denver (during the AAO meeting) featuring Dr. Robin Harvan from the University of Colorado Health Education Center. The program was opened with a tribute to Dr. T.M. Graber by Dr. Lee Graber and a presentation by the AAOF. Dr. Harvan addressed mentoring and moderated interactive group discussions. The morning was dedicated to COE initiatives and the ABO Report. The afternoon concluded with a CODA Open Hearing. Program committee members: Drs. Lisa King, Emile Rossouw, and Carla Evans.
The 2008 AAO Deans Luncheon in conjunction with the ADEA Annual Session in Dallas, Texas was set for March 30. The presentation topic was “Craniofacial Anomalies and Special Care Fellowships.” Dr. Karin Vargervik, University of California at San Francisco, presented the perspective for a CFA & SC program directly affiliated with a dental school. Dr. Kirt Simmons, of Arkansas Children’s Hospital, presented the perspective of a CFA & SC program that is not directly affiliated with a dental school. Each speaker delivered a 10-15 minute presentation that was be followed by discussion and questions solicited from the audience. COE members were again encouraged to personally invite their own deans to attend.
Dr. Bob Isaacson has been invited as the featured speaker for the noted conference in 2009. A planning committee consisting of Drs. Gene Roberts, Emile Rossouw, and Robert Keim will provide suggested conference topics such as funding orthodontic graduate education, current status and future direction of academic orthodontics.
COE strongly encourages all programs to participate in the postdoctoral dental matching (MATCH) program. A MATCH program violation was referred to COE for discussion and feedback.
A total of 38 orthodontic programs completed and returned the Pre-Doctoral Orthodontic Instruction Survey. The results of the 1990 and 2009 surveys will be evaluated and compared by Dr. Bob Keim for future discussion.
Educators exit and entrance surveys were conducted by COE to obtain information in respect to educators leaving, as well as starting, academic careers. Drs English and Rossouw assisted with the construction of the surveys. It was clear that the exit responses indicate funding concerns. This is to be an ongoing study and repeated in 2009. Dr. Rossouw provided a brief summary of the results, including response rates, at the May Education Leadership Conference.
The Faculty Trends survey was completed by 48 of the 68 programs and the results presented by Dr. Rossouw at the 2008 Education Leadership Conference.
The Faculty Development Awards Committee reported that 63 orthodontic graduate programs serving 153 recipients were awarded faculty development funds to encourage the recruitment and retention of faculty members. Award criteria included AAO membership, U.S. or Canadian citizenship and full-time faculty status.
Drs. English and Briss reported that there is a recommendation to add another orthodontist to the CODA review committee.
Regarding review of clinical practice guidelines, Dr. Rossouw reported that the Task Force has made preliminary recommendations during two conference call meetings chaired by Dr. David Turpin. Recommendations were finalized in April. Dr. Rossouw asked for additional COE input.
Council members requested the AAO Educator’s Bulletin Board to be prominently featured and marketed.