AOS MEMBERSHIP NEWS Take Stock of What Matters Most With each passing year, it seems the months come and go more quickly and the years seem to simply slip by. Yet each day, we have opportunities to make a differ-ence in the lives of others. These opportunities start at home with family, extend to those we work with as well as the patients we care for each day. Thirty years ago, as a young dentist, I went to the “Village Inn” restaurant with my dad (who was also a dentist) for a piece of pie after shopping for some dental equipment. As we walked in, the host seated us and asked my dad if he was a dentist to which dad answered, “Yes.” Then he asked, “Are you from Pella?” To which my dad answered, “Yes.” The young gentleman then asked, “Are you Dr. Dahm?” To which he answered, “Yes!” The next question that came from the host struck me so profoundly that it has been burned into my memory like it was yesterday --“Do you remember me?” At that moment, I watched my dad recall this young man’s name from one of the thousands of patients he had treated over the years. I could see the lights in this young man’s eyes brighten as he was remembered. He stated, “you always took such good care of me!” After he took our order, dad told me about his experience treating this young man when he was a boy. He told me he was not a great patient, and that there were “tears” with his treatment. He also remembered that he had a single mom and that it was a big deal that she would afford to take him to the dentist. This memory often tests me when I get up in the morning and get ready for work, or as I get ready to go on vacation, or share a cup of coffee with a friend. Taking stock of what matters most is a very important exercise in our lives. Jeffrey P. Dahm, DDS AOS President And at the end of the day, our rela-tionships with those in our lives are arguably the most precious gift we have to cherish. All this brings me to one of the reasons I love the AOS! Over the years, I have found sincere friends in the AOS that not only have provided invaluable education for my orthodontic practice, but also are genuine caring people that I look so forward to see each fall at the annual meeting! The outstanding educational platform that the AOS provides is a second reason that I make the annual meeting a priority. There is always more to learn, no matter what level of education we have attained, and being able to rub shoulders with those who are more experienced in orthodontics is an amaz-ing opportunity for iron to sharpen iron. I also look forward to meeting new AOS members and being part of the celebration of achievements of our members, such as the AOS Society of Diplomate Award. This fall, the annual meeting of the AOS, will be in Greenville, South Carolina. We have an exciting plat-form of continuing education planned with many topics that can benefit both doctors and staff. Take a few minutes to check out the agenda, make your reser-vations and airline flights, and I will look forward to seeing you there! Jeffrey P. Dahm, DDS Pictured is Dr. Bill Wyatt, who has been a part of the American Orthodontic Society since its founding 49 years ago. In the early days of the AOS, Dr. Wyatt would instruct classes from his basement in Grapevine TX. Fifty years later, the AOS Institute Event Center will be located just a mile or two from Dr. Wyatt’s original classroom. After 49 years of offering education exclusively through hotels and other venues, we finally have an established base and branded presence. If you would like to be part of helping to build this new home for the AOS, join Dr Wyatt by making a pledge to our supporter campaign. Supporters will be recog-nized, along with Dr. Wyatt, on our Supporter Wall. Contact AOS today. www.orthodontics.com Summer 2023 45
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Summer 2023: Page 45
