AGpO MEMBERSHIP NEWS Friendships, Camaraderie & Continuing Ortho Education Hello to everyone! I just wanted to take a moment to share how excited I am to be your new president of the Academy of Gp Orthodon-tics --it’s a great honor. And while I know my fellow officers and our directors—Adam, Jennifer and Cynthia—are the real driving forces behind our successes, I’m here to support and amplify all the wonderful work we’re doing together. Just like many of you, orthodontics has always been a dream of mine. For years, I wished to incorporate it into my practice, but life had other plans. Thanks to the amazing 12-Session Hands-On program, I finally have the chance to live that dream while continuing to do what I love—general dentistry! I’ve dedicated the last 25 years to this field, and I couldn’t be happier. The Tip-Edge program is such a straightfor-ward approach to orthodontics. It’s like a recipe that any dentist can follow when it comes to diagnosing and treating orthodontic cases. And the best part? The hardware is super easy to work with, both for us and our wonderful assis-tants, which means we can provide top-notch care without the complications. I am a graduate of the 2014 12-session Hands-On course in Austin with Dr. Gerhardt, and now I’m honored to be the host dentist for the upcoming Houston, TX course with Kauser Bari, DDS Instructor Dr. Kyle McCrea. It’s AGpO President a full-circle moment for me! One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is seeing how a new smile can boost my patients’ confidence. I’m blessed and take joy in being able to provide orthodontic treatment for those who might not be able to afford tradi-tional orthodontic care, by performing treat-ment for charity cases. It really warms my heart to see how a transformed smile can change a person’s life. I’m also thrilled to be a part of this Academy. The camaraderie and sense of fraternity we share are genuinely special. The friendships we build and the experiences we share help us grow not just as professionals but as people, and that support is invaluable. I look forward to collaborating and learning from each of you and making a real impact on our patients’ lives. Kauser Bari, DDS Popular Orthodontic Assistant's Training Course Held; Watch for 2025 Dates The Academy held its 2024 Assistant’s Course on July 25–27 in Memphis, TN. Dr. Charles Young was the instructor for all 18 participants. This intense three-day annual course provides invaluable orthodontic training for staff members. This year’s attendees included 16 assistants and 2 doctors, making this class an extraordinary weekend event. Pictured (L to R) is Mary Avery, Angel Bills, Hannah Bryant, Cora Burton, Dr. Sabah Farooqi, Dacia Farrell, Katie Howard, Erin Krause, Melissa MacDon-ald, Sandy Martinez, Fabiana C. Briceno Martinez, Andrea Ortiz, Dr. Travis Parker, Ashley Poore, Jessica Robles, Sandra Santiago, Jannet Santos and Chassan-iol Stevens. Over the past 17 years, more than 320 dental assistants have attended this popular AGpO course. Watch for the dates on www.academyg-portho.com for the 2025 course to make your assis-tant a vital part of the orthodontic care you provide to patients. www.orthodontics.com Fall 2024 33
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Fall 2024: Page 33
