AO continues to expand global reach

Dr. Takashi Sumi, Ichinomiya-City, Aichi, Japan, the AO Japan ambassador, organized the one-day scientific program, which exemplified the successful network AO is creating internationally through its Charter Chapter initiative.

“The quality of all the presentations was outstanding, with sound scientific basis, relevant clinical applications and a very high quality of clinical cases and photography,” said Dr. Stephen Jacobs, Glasgow, Scotland, vice chair, AO Global Program Development Committee. “It was inspiring to see so many clinicians gathered together between AO’s Annual International Meetings to continue learning and growing together.”

The day kicked off with Sumi and Dr. Kenji Takeshita, Tokyo, and Dr. Kunihiko Teranishi, Tokyo, addressing the delegates, welcoming them to the meeting and explaining the philosophy and purpose of the Charter Chapter initiative.

AO President Dr. Russell Nishimura, Westlake Village, Calif., then welcomed AO members and non-members alike to the largest academy event ever held outside North America. He urged non-members to join the AO family, benefit from membership and support the growth of the academy into the foremost international dental implant organization in existence.

The morning was given over to the international speakers, with Dr. Michael Norton, London, AO vice president and chair of the Global Program Development Committee, followed by Dr. Jacobs, presenting the first two lectures on immediate implant placement, including options of managing the immediate provisionalization of adjacent anterior teeth.

After a short break, Professor Tara Aghaloo, Los Angeles, AO board member, delivered her lecture on “Alveolar Bone Regeneration and Tissue Engineering.” These first three lectures were assisted by simultaneous translation into Japanese.

A traditional Japanese lunch was followed by six short lectures by some of the most prominent Japanese members, in Japanese, with the subject matter including inter-implant soft-tissue management, three-dimensional site development, sinus augmentation and photo functionalization. The speakers were Drs. Takahiro Ogawa, Los Angeles; Hideaki Katsuyama, Yokohama, Japan; Tadakazu Obama, Eiji Funakoshi, Fukuoka, Japan; Yoshinori Nameta, Tokyo; Seiichiro Kinjo, Okinawa, Japan; Akiyoshi Funato, Ishikawa, Japan; and Masana Suzuki.

The meeting closed with Dr. Norton thanking Dr. Sumi and inviting everyone to meet again in San Diego for the AO Annual Meeting in February.

About the Academy of Osseointegration

With 6,000 members in 70 countries, the Academy of Osseointegration (AO) is recognized as a premier association for professionals interested in implant dentistry. AO aims to provide a nexus where specialists and generalists can come together to evaluate emerging research, technology and techniques, share best practices and coordinate optimal patient care using, evidence-based information.

For more information about AO’s Global Outreach, including how to start a charter chapter, visit www.osseo.org/CharterChapters.html.

(Source: Academy of Osseointegration)