The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) will celebrate its centennial anniversary during its 100th Annual Meeting, Scientific Sessions and Exhibition being held Oct. 8 to 13 in Chicago, Ill.
More than 4,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, faculty, residents and others are expected to gather in the city where the association was originally founded. In 1918, 29 doctors convened to hold the first meeting of the American Society of Exodontists, the organization that later became AAOMS.
The AAOMS Annual Meeting – the largest and most comprehensive educational conference in the world exclusively for oral and maxillofacial surgeons and their staff – will feature approximately 170 educational programs at the Hilton Chicago and McCormick Place West. Sessions will expound on such timely topics as the treatment of war injuries, advancements in cancer care and emerging technologies in maxillofacial nerve injuries.
Among other highlights of the centennial celebration are:
-A history museum will showcase artifacts related to the specialty – such as surgical mallets and cheek retractors – a historical timeline of association milestones and videos of interviews of past association presidents.
-A “100 Years of AAOMS” course will summarize the specialty’s history and discuss the evolution from exodontists to oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
-Former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), will deliver the meeting’s keynote address, “Leadership: Taking Charge,” on Oct. 10.
-A new educational program will feature nine tracks based on the OMS scope of practice: anesthesia, cosmetic and orthognathic surgery, dental implants, dentoalveolar, head and neck oncology, pediatrics and cleft, reconstruction, temporomandibular joint and trauma. For each track, speakers will address the latest evidence-based research in a plenary session and then move into focused breakouts that will allow for greater discussion. In honor of the centennial, each track also will offer a historical review of the practice area and an oral abstract session.
Other notable events include:
A hands-on, full-day cadaver workshop covering the most common cosmetic surgical procedures of the facial region.
The Chalmers J. Lyons Memorial Lecture focusing on how induced pluripotent stem cells may be used for tissue regeneration.
Meet the Experts and Master Class sessions allowing attendees to discuss trends and innovations with legends in the specialty.
A new World Café, where senior surgeons will address patient cases and best practices while attendees will be able to connect with their peers from around the globe.
A series of team learning sessions, including an Overseas Surgery Team Program that will provide guidance to those interested in international service trips.
More than 30 practice management sessions to help improve the operations of OMS practices.
A two-day Beyond the Basics Coding Workshop that will review procedural coding, healthcare reform initiatives, audit tips and reimbursement issues.
“We will celebrate the rich history of our association and the oral and maxillofacial surgery specialty during our 100th Annual Meeting,” said AAOMS President Brett L. Ferguson, DDS, FACS. “The new educational program will provide a more valuable learning experience with notable experts sharing the most recent innovations in each clinical track. Attendees also will have a wealth of opportunities to network, check out the latest products and services in the Exhibit Hall and reflect on the past while looking forward to advancements in the specialty.”
Registration is open to AAOMS members, OMS residents, non-members and the media. More information is available at AAOMS.org/Chicago.
The experts in face, mouth and jaw surgery® — The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) is the professional organization representing more than 11,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, OMS residents and OMS professional staff in the United States. AAOMS supports its fellows’ and members’ ability to practice their specialty through education, research and advocacy. AAOMS fellows and members comply with rigorous continuing education requirements and submit to periodic office anesthesia evaluations. For additional information about oral and maxillofacial surgery, visit the AAOMS websites at AAOMS.org and myOMS.org.
