I’d like to recognize people we might not think about often enough – those who make our lives and our patients’ lives better every day.

With the arrival of a new year, I find myself reflecting on what implant dentistry truly needs as it continues to evolve. My hope is both straightforward and challenging: that our profession renews its commitment to biological principles, sound clinical judgement and ethical responsibility in the way we practice, educate and innovate. 

Dr. Cooper stands at the intersection of clinical excellence and groundbreaking research, bringing decades of experience to his role as dean of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Dentistry and Harry Lyons Professor of Prosthodontics. 

Clinicians are advised to maintain a high index of suspicion for malignancy in persistent peri-implant lesions, especially those unresponsive to conventional therapy. 

Emergence angle and profile deserve greater attention for dentists, dental hygienists and lab technicians, in the prevention and management of peri-implant disease and the maintenance of peri-implant health. 

The 2026 Nobel Biocare Branemark Osseointegration Award honors Dr. Peter Moy, DMD, MS.

In December, 2025, dentistry lost one of its most influential figures with the passing of Dr. Myron Nevins in Swampscott Massachusetts. 

Dr. Nevins is fondly remembered by those who knew and learned from him throughout his storied career. 

A closer look at how we shift from doing to deciding, from following structure to shaping it, and from meeting expectations to building roles that are sustainable and meaningful. 

Teamwork within a dental office promotes effective communication, streamlined workflows and collaborative decision-making, ultimately leading to improved patient care, better treatment outcomes and higher patient satisfaction. 

In the world of periodontics, there is a prevailing myth that clinical excellence alone guarantees a full schedule. We leave residency believing that if we can cut, suture and graft with precision, the referrals will simply materialize. 

The Academy is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Distinguished Awards have been selected and recognized at the 2026 AO Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

Whether you are looking to expand your skill set or pursue formal recognition, AO offers practical pathways to help you grow in this highly specialized field.

Navigating the nuances of retirement planning requires more than just a cookie-cutter approach. Using outdated rules around spending or ignoring the potential in private markets are just a couple of the common mistakes outlined in this article. 

Together, AO’s university outreach programs and the GP Task Force study club initiative reflect complementary approaches to professional engagement. 

Forty OF Student Travel Grants were awarded to the highest-scoring Oral Research and ePoster submissions, as determined by their respective committees.

Academy News: The best is yet to come.