AO Fellow and Diplomate Robert C. Vogel, DDS

As summer approaches, I hope everyone is looking forward to some fun, relaxation and adventures.

It’s such an exciting time to be in implant dentistry with all the new techniques, digital technology and product advancements. No place in the world was this information more evident and accessible than the 2025 AO Annual Meeting in Seattle.

Since my first year out of residency, I’ve always looked forward to what I could take back to my practice and my patients from this meeting. The feedback I received from AO Members, Fellows, Diplomates and Masters about the new and refreshing changes seen at the Seattle meeting reassures me we have a great future ahead. Some of the additions we saw this year included:

• A single track of main podium presentations from world class clinicians to ensure all team members were on the same page;
• The highest resolution screen of any major scientific meeting;
• Town Hall Presentations in the Exhibit Hall by amazing speakers on real life topics that could be put to use the Monday morning after the meeting;
• Tons of raffled gifts from our corporate supporters during the (usually fairly boring) Annual Business Meeting;
• Greatly improved lunch selections and quality;
• An opening session highlighting our very own members, Emil and Dariel, recently off their America’s Got Talent fame.

But we are not resting on our laurels. The Academy of Osseointegration Board of Directors, Committee Chairs and Staff are already working on more innovative and significant changes and truly encourage input from our members. This is your Academy and we want to hear from you.

While we remain laser focused and dedicated to our mission of being the premier provider of world class, scientifically based, unbiased education in implant dentistry, we will also continue to strive to be an inclusive family of outstanding clinicians at every level of experience.

Things to look forward to this year, prior to our 2026 Annual Meeting March 5-7 in Washington, DC include:

• Awards for outstanding clinicians, educators and researchers, who can be nominated by members on the AO website (see related article).
• An increased number of webinars on real world topics relevant to how we practice, available at no cost to members.
• A summit, already in the planning, on issues relating to implant prosthetics.

I also encourage everyone to show your dedication to education and patient care by becoming a Fellow, Master or Diplomate of the Academy and be recognized for the dedication you have to our profession.

I wish everyone a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing all of you in Washington, DC next year.