EDITOR’S WELCOME Greg Cannizzo, DDS, CDE, JAOS Editor 3617 Municipal Drive, McHenry, IL 60050 Phone: (815) 344-2282 • Fax: (815) 344-5815 • Email: drgrc@joltmail.com ASSOCIATION STAFF Adam Griswold AGpO Executive Director Academy of Gp Orthodontics 509 E. Boydston St. Rockwall, TX 75087-3956 (800) 634-2027 E-mail: agriswold@academygportho.com Nate Porter AOS Executive Director American Orthodontic Society 2451 West Grapevine Mills Circle Suite 510 Grapevine, TX 76051 E-mail: support@orthodontics.com Listen for the Moth's Wings Flapping If you’ve ever watched David Attenborough’s Life of Mammals , you may remember a remarkable segment featuring bats hunting moths. This memorable scene revealed something truly astonishing: While most bats rely on echolocation to detect prey, some moths have evolved the ability to sense sonar and evade it. In response, certain bat species have developed an extraordinary adapta-tion—they have stopped using sonar altogether and instead learned to detect the nearly inaudible sound of a moth’s wings flapping. Even in an environment with the sound of rivers running and wind moving through trees, the bats can detect even the smallest movement. The bats’ adaptation is a powerful metaphor for us as general dentists and pedodontists who practice orthodontics. In a world full of noise— economic uncertainty, shifting patient expectations, and a rapidly evolving industry—how do we stay ahead? How do we detect the subtle signals of opportunity when everything else is telling us to tread cautiously? The answer lies in learning to listen carefully, much like those bats. As general dentists and pedodontists, we’re constantly bombarded with chal-lenges, from staffing shortages to rising operational costs and competi-tive pressures. And now, as many news outlets and dental industry publica-tions report, we may be heading into a period of economic slowdown. It’s understandable to feel apprehensive. But periods of uncertainty are also rife with potential—if we know how to look and listen for it. Even in the most difficult circum-stances, opportunities exist. They may not announce themselves loudly or come giftwrapped in certainty. They may be quiet, subtle, even elusive—like the sound of a moth’s wings. But with sharp-ened awareness and a proactive mindset, we can uncover the right path forward. One of the most effective ways to position your practice for success is through continued education and connection. Our upcoming Annual Meetings and educational events are designed specifically to help practi-tioners like you stay informed, connected, and equipped with the tools you need to thrive. These meet-ings are more than just lectures— they’re opportunities to explore the latest clinical techniques, engage with innovative vendors, and network with peers facing the same realities and overcoming the same challenges you are. The exhibit halls will be filled with cutting edge products and services tailored to improve practice efficiency, patient outcomes, and profitability. The programs and keynotes are curated to inspire, educate, and empower. Whether it’s learning how to implement new digital tools, stream-lining workflows, or exploring new treatment approaches, these gatherings are the fertile ground where the seeds of opportunity take root. Remember, you don’t need super-human hearing. But you do need focused attention. Staying connected to organizations, this journal, and your community of peers is how you finetune your ability to detect what others might miss. This is how you prepare, adapt, and move forward, regardless of what the broader econ-omy throws your way. Sometimes, the opportunity that changes everything doesn’t roar, it whispers. So, sharpen your senses, attend with purpose, and stay attuned to the signals that matter. Because once you learn to hear a moth’s wings flapping, you’ll never miss an opportu-nity again. EDITORIAL STAFF Greg Cannizzo, DDS ............. AGpO/AOS Editor Shea Gibbs ............................... AOS/AGpO Managing Editor Email: shea@gibbscom.com EDITORIAL REVIEW BOARD Robert Allen, DDS.................................AGpO Ron Austin, DDS...................................AGpO Chris Baker, RN, DMD .............................AOS Kauser Bari, DDS ...................................AGpO Jeff Dahm, DDS........................................AOS Fred Der, DDS .......................................AGpO Elsa Echeverri, DDS..................................AOS Drew Ellenwood, DDS ..........................AGpO Debra Ettle-Resnick, DDS.........................AOS Twana Farley-Duncan, DDS.....................AOS Scott Earp, DDS.....................................AGpO Bernadino Elizondo, DDS ........................AOS Andrey Horton, DDS................................AOS Thomas Jacobsen, DDS.........................AGpO Gregory T. Jeneary, DDS ..........................AOS Amanda Larsh, DMD ............................AGpO Brian Machart, DDS..............................AGpO Kyle McCrea, DDS ................................AGpO Sherman Menser, DDS..........................AGpO Randy Newby, DDS..................................AOS Nemeen El Gammal, DDS ....................AGpO Milton Ntragatakis, DDS.......................AGpO Humberto Nunez-Gil, DMD .................AGpO Ann Mary Orr, DDS .................................AOS Jennifer Rand, DDS...............................AGpO Raphael Santore, DDS...........................AGpO Joseph R. Schmidbauer, DDS ...................AOS Gary Schulman, DDS ...............................AOS Coty Shores, DDS..................................AGpO Kimberly Suter, DDS ................................AOS Susan Tiede, DDS .....................................AOS Walter Tippen, DDS ..............................AGpO Jose E. Turcios, DDS .................................AOS Saskia Vaughn, DDS.................................AOS Bradford R. Williams, DDS ......................AOS William Wyatt, Sr., DDS ..........................AOS 4 Summer 2025 JAOS
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Summer 2025: Page 4
