Dr Samuel Low elected president of the AAP Board of Trustees

An AAP member since 1975, Low served on the Board of Trustees as the academy’s president elect in 2009. Previously he served as vice president in 2008, and secretary/treasurer in 2007. Low follows outgoing President David Cochran, who will assume the role of immediate past president and will support the academy in the coming year as a member of the Board of Trustees.

“Dr Low’s diverse background will be very valuable during his tenure as president. His experience within the AAP, as well as with the American Dental Association and in academia will help Dr Low successfully lead the academy throughout the next year and into the future,” said Cochran, 2009 AAP president.

“I am honored to start my year as president of the American Academy of Periodontology,” Low said. “I am anticipating a very busy and successful year for the academy, which will include advancing the science of periodontology, conducting both public and professional outreach on the importance of periodontal health, and strong leadership to further the specialty.”

As well as serving on the AAP’s Planning Committee, Education Committee and participating in multiple World Workshops in Periodontics sponsored by the AAP, Low has been involved in all levels of organized dentistry. In addition to being a trustee at the American Dental Association, Low is a consultant to the Council on Dental Practice.

Low received his dental degree, specialty training in periodontics and master’s of science in biomedical science from University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, and his master’s of education from University of Florida College of Education.

In addition to Low, Pamela McClain, DDS, of Aurora, CO, USA, was installed as vice president, and Nancy Newhouse, DDS, of Lee’s Summit, MO, USA, was installed as secretary/treasurer.

A former dental hygienist, McClain maintains a full-time private practice limited to periodontics in Aurora, CO, USA, and is a part-time clinical assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry.

An AAP member since 1985, McClain previously acted as the Board of Trustees secretary/treasurer during 2009 and has also served on a variety of academy committees, including chairing the Continuing Education Oversight Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and the Annual Meeting Committee. McClain has been a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology since 1992.

“Dr McClain has had an outstanding year on the Executive Committee, and in this new position as vice president I am sure that she will continue to help guide both the AAP and periodontal profession toward the future,” Low said.

In addition to running a private practice in Independence, MO, USA, Newhouse is also an assistant professor at the University of Missouri — Kansas City School of Dentistry. She has been a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology since 1989.

A member of the AAP since 1983, Newhouse has previously been active in many committees including the Executive Committee, American Dental Association Liaison Committee, Task Force on Membership Value, Finance Committee, Planning Committee and Awards Committee. She has also served on the Board of Trustees since 2002.

The appointments were made during the AAP’s 95th Annual Meeting, held 12–15 September in Boston, MA, USA.