Third Annual Business Meeting
Marriott Copely Plaza, Boston, Massachusetts
March 12, 1992
The Third Annual Business Meeting of the American Association of Oral Biologists was called to order at 5:15 p.m., March 12, 1992. Twenty-one members of the Association were in attendance.
President's Report:
Dr. Israel Kleinberg, in his opening remarks, commented that the organization has developed remarkably well and is now
firmly established. From the Secretary Treasurers's report, the Association has 133 dues paying members as of December 31, 1991. Of these, 115 are
founders of the organization and 18 are new members. AAOB has established its position as the main spokes-organizations for Oral Biology and because
of its independence, AAOB can take positions on nay issue that its members feel effect Oral Biology educationally, politically, or otherwise.
The results of the ballot election for bylaw changes and election of association officers are presented in the Secretary/Treasurers report. The bylaw amendments were approved almost unanimously by those responding.
Members are informed of the June 30, 1992 International Symposium on the Future Science Base in Dental Education in Glasgow, Scotland, the day before the 1992 IADR meeting is scheduled to begin. This organization has educational interests similar to those of AAOB and the President suggested that members of AAOB who are going to the Glasgow IADR meeting might want to take advantage of the opportunity to exchange ideas and information with panelists and other attendees.
The President extended tanks on behalf of AAOB for the help and efforts of outgoing elected Directors Mary Ellen Druyen and Stan Holt.
The President reminded members of the very valuable and significant relationship that has been established between AAOB and the CRC Critical Reviews in Oral Biology. This journal is the official publication of the American Association of Oral Biologists, and the journal states so on its outside cover. This publication clearly identified the "nitty-gritty" of oral biology and should leave no doubt as to why it is a discipline in its own right. Most important, it is a marvelous source of information for teaching, research, and updating of faculty, students, and others interested in oral science. It is also valuable for literature review assignments given to pre-doctoral, and post graduate and graduate students.. The President urged members to support the journal Dr. Olav Alvares, its editor, has obtained from the publishers, an annual subscription rate for members of $45 per year. The high quality of its articles and its relationship with AAOB is something we can all be proud of, and we have Olav to thank for the tremendous job he has done.
Dr. Kleinberg reported on a discussion he had with outgoing Past President Richard Suddick who suggested the need for a strategic plan for oral biology for the immediate and long-term future. Members present were asked for their views and input. It was concluded that this would be valuable at this time, and it was suggested and generally agreed that Drs. Suddick and Kleinberg begin work on such in time for the next AAOB meeting in Chicago in March 1993.
Secretary/Treasurer's Report:
Dr. Jerry Pollock was unable to attend the Boston AAOB meeting. Dr. Kleinberg circulated his
report, which is appended below. Dr. Kleinberg called attention to the number of members who responded to their ballot mailing and their acceptance
of the bylaws changes and election of new officers. He also called attention to the organization as of December 31, 1991 being in a solid financial
position, having an account balance of $3,303. Dues for 1992 of $12 per years are due as of January 1, 1992, which will add to this balance. The
organization received generous support for the 1991 Annual Scientific Meeting in Acapulco from the Johnson and Johnson Company and Dr. Golub, who
organized the meeting and obtained the funds, was thanked by the President. Also thanks should be given to Dr. Hazen Baron of Johnson and Johnson
who made such a contribution possible.
Report on Meeting of the American Association of Dental Schools — Oral Biology Section
AAOB members, Dr. Hershall W. Kaufman, who is Secretary of the Oral Biology Section of AADS, and Mark Wolff, who is Chairman of the Section, reported
on the meeting of the oral biology section held in Boston just prior to the meeting of the AADR. Because of poor attendance over the last several years,
the administration of the council of Sections raised the possibility that the oral biology and various basic science sections either become more viable and
active within the AADS organization or consider combining into one or a few sections. A major reason for poor attendance could be the cost
of attending two meetings at the same time. AADS and AADR.
Dr. Kaufman felt that the hierarchy of the council of Sections had very little understanding of oral biology and how it related to the other basic sciences within the dental curriculum. Relating the basic sciences to the clinical disciplines and clinical practice has always been a major problem in dentistry. Partly to deal with this, he reported that the Council of Sections wished to rewrite all of the curriculum guidelines based upon a competency model but was not clear how this would work out for the basic sciences and oral biology. After a separate meeting of Drs. Kaufman and Wolff with Dr. Elaine Romberg (Council Chair) and Dr. Davis Bebemeyer (Council Chair elect), these oral biology section officers were asked if they would help with the preparation of such an endeavor.
Dr. Mark Wolff reported on measures that needed to be taken by the oral biology section to improve attendance and input of this section into the business of AADS. One thing that might help would be if AADS meetings, at least the basic science and oral biology parts, overlapped with AADR meetings, since the cost of attending both meetings is often too high for budgets in today's economic climate.
Dr. Wolff also invited AAOB members joining AADS and, specifically, the oral biology section. He pointed out that AADS is a politically active organization in dental education and should not be ignored by oral biologists who have a vested interest in the dental curriculum and the accreditation process.
The oral biology section of AADS welcomes input from and working with AOB. This relationship is similar to that seen in other sections and societies such as those for orthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery. These societies provide input into AADS and are able to influence educational changes through their respective sections. The AADS oral biology section has agreed to investigate sponsorship of a joint program with AAOB and the diagnostic systems group of the IADR for either 1993 in Chicago of 1994 in Seattle.
Dr. Wolff also reported that the AADS oral biology section plans to explore Problem Based learning Oral Biology and have a session program in this important area.
Program Chairman's Report (Dr. L. Golub):
The 1991 First Annual AAOB Scientific Program was held in Acapulco in April, at the same time as the IADR meeting. It was entitled" Oral Biology:
Research Implications Beyond Dentistry". Speakers included Drs. R. Gibbons, L. Golub, Kleinberg, and I. Mandel. Dr. R. Suddick served as moderator.
Dr. Golub felt that the meeting time (Tuesday) and short notice on the arrangements may have had a negative effect on the low attendance for
this symposium which attendees felt was outstanding. He recommended that future symposia be held closer to or overlap with the AADR/IADR meeting
since cost of attending meetings is so high.
Dr. Kleinberg, on behalf of AAOB, thanked Dr. Golub and the Johnson and Johnson Company and Dr. Hazen Barton in particular for the financial support of this symposium and felt that future symposia should be able to attract similar kinds of support if programs are meaningful and of high quality.
The new Program Chairman, Dr. Frank Dowd, has been asked by the members present to plan for a scientific or educational symposium for the 1994 meeting in Seattle to be held in conjunction with the AADS and IADR/AADR. It was pointed out by Dr. Wolff that a symposium in 1993 may be too short a time to get a good time slot but would be desirable if feasible.
Other Business:
Dr. B. Rifkin asked Dr. Kleinberg if he might express is long-range view of the AAOB. Dr. Kleinberg responded by stating that
he believes that such an organization has been needed for a long time and that its primary role is to look after the interest of oral biology nationally
(and internationally), particularly to the fostering of strong programs of education and research in dental schools and other institutions and dissemination
of their outputs to benefit oral health. He felt that it should be the premier body of expertise for this discipline and be positioned to provide
assistance and input where needed. He expressed his belief that dentistry is now at a critical point and that oral biology is key to its long-term
future and nature. Dr. Kleinberg reiterated that AAOB is in a position, and has done so in the past, to provide help to those developing new programs
in oral biology and bolstering those that may be floundering.
Dr. K. Vergora asked what organizational changes ha occurred in basic science and oral biology programs as a result of recent nationwide financial constraints. Dr. Rifkin responded that New York University had consolidated its basic science departments into a Division of basic Sciences that includes the traditional basic health sciences as well as Oral Biology. In their case, it should be considered as more than an Oral Biology Department. Dr. vergora had asked the question because she wished to explore what might be best for a dental school like that at the University of Pittsburgh where there are separate basic science departments and the number of faculty in each are substantially more than in most dental schools.
Dr. Kleinberg stated that there were many different administrative configuration for the teaching of the basic sciences and oral biology in dental institutions throughout the country. Most important has been the recognition of the need to ensure that this include significant orally relevant basic science. He pointed out that AAOB is always available to any department, organization, or member thereof to provide advice and assistance with any aspect of oral biology be it research, education, re-training, administrative matters, or politics.
Finally, it was suggested that the Secretary prepare and disseminate to the organization members an up-to-date AAOB list with mailing addresses and telephone numbers. Dr. Kleinberg then turned over the position of President of AAOB to the new President, Robert Boackle, and thanked the organization and especially Past President Richard Suddick for all their efforts in making AAOB the positive voice for Oral Biology that it has developed into.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted:
Dr. Mark S. Wolff
(for Dr. J. Pollock)
