ADA launches Task Force on Specialty Engagement    

Group to strengthen collaboration and communication with specialty organizations

With a goal of strengthening collaboration and communication between specialty organizations and the ADA, representatives from across all the recognized dental specialties, as well as the Academy of General Dentistry, came together virtually in January for the inaugural meeting of the Task Force on Specialty Engagement.

The task force was created through a resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees. ADA President Richard Rosato, D.M.D., appointed trustee Randall Markarian, D.M.D., an orthodontist, as chair of the task force along with fellow trustees Rita Cammarata, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist, and James Mercer, D.D.S., an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, as task force members.

According to the resolution, the purpose of the task force will be “to identify opportunities for joint initiatives in areas of mutual interest and to explore strategies to enhance specialist membership in the ADA.”

Each participating organization selected its own representative to the task force. The representatives and organizations invited include:

• Dr. Kathleen Higgins, American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

• Dr. Aruna Ramesh, American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

• Dr. Jaisri Theppay, American Academy of Oral Medicine

• Dr. Kate Christian, American Academy of Orofacial Pain

• Dr. Scott Cashion, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

• Dr. Brad Crump, American Academy of Periodontology

• TBD, American Association of Public Health Dentistry

• Dr. Elizabeth Perry, American Association of Endodontists

• Dr. Dale Anne Featheringham, American Association of Orthodontists  

• Dr. Steve Brown, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

• Dr. Kenneth Kurtz, American College of Prosthodontists

• Dr. Bryant Cornelius, American Society of Dental Anesthesiologists

• Dr. Kim Wright, Academy of General Dentistry

Following each meeting throughout the year, the task force will provide progress reports to the ADA Board of Trustees, with the goal of presenting actionable recommendations for the Board’s consideration.