Daniel M. Laskin, DDS, MS – the longest-serving editor of a dental association newsletter – has received the 2018 Distinguished Dental Editor Award from the American Dental Association Council on Communications and the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ).
Laskin of Richmond, Va., has been editor of AAOMS Today – a bimonthly publication of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons – and its predecessor publications since 1966. AAOMS represents more than 9,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and AAOMS Today provides those members with specialty and association news as well as information on opportunities for education, research and advocacy.
The Distinguished Dental Editor Award honors editors who bring acclaim to their association, dentistry and dental journalism through exceptional editorial direction and the creation of first-rate publications. Laskin received the award at the 2018 AADEJ Annual Conference in Hawaii.
As the AAOMS newsletter's first editor, Laskin wrote all the content and laid out pages. Since then, the publication has become increasingly larger with additional staff and expansive content. However, he still edits every article for content, message and grammar. He guided the 2018 redesign of the publication that featured more photos, expanded event coverage and additional in-depth features, including articles on AAOMS members who treated the Las Vegas shooting victims and an OMS who performed a complex, "miracle" jaw surgery on a young woman. Laskin's numerous editorials over the years have dealt with healthcare issues, education and training as well as professional responsibility and ethics.
During Laskin's tenure as editor, AAOMS Today has won journalism awards from the International College of Dentists for outstanding newsletter in 2011 and 2018 and most improved publication in 2014. The magazine also was honored with two Platinum Awards for overall magazine and writing in the 2019 Hermes Creative Awards; named most improved magazine by the 2018 APEX Awards for Publication Excellence; and presented four 2018 MARCOM Awards for feature article (platinum) as well as association magazine, overall writing and overall design (golds).
Laskin served as president of AAOMS from 1976-77 and the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons from 1983-86 as well as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (JOMS) – AAOMS's monthly journal that covers new techniques and innovations in the specialty – from 1972-2002. Annual accolades named after Laskin include an award for the best article in JOMS and AAOMS's outstanding predoctoral educator award.
Currently, Laskin is adjunct clinical professor and chair emeritus in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry after serving as chair of the department from 1984-2002. He also served as head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry from 1973-83 and established the college's Temporomandibular Joint and Facial Pain Research Center. UIC annually hosts the Daniel M. Laskin Lectureship in his honor.
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 https://www.AAOMS.org and https://www.MyOMS.org.
