Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists

Message from the GLAO President

Dr. Michael W. Sherman

It is an honor and privilege to serve as President of Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists.

I would like to thank Jerry Hickman, our 2011/2012 GLAO President, for all of the work that he has done on our behalf. He and the 2012 GLAO Annual Session planning committee provided an outstanding program in Indianapolis, with the focus on new technology as presented with excellent scientific and staff sessions.  Over 500 participants attended the meeting, including 61 orthodontic residents, many of who participated in the GLAO research poster board competition.

I feel that our profession is at a crossroads at this time. We are the most qualified health care professionals to provide excellent quality “specialty” orthodontic care, creating beautiful smiles and healthy occlusions for our patients. Technological innovations allow for improvements in our productivity and our quality of care. However, these same innovations enable less qualified practitioners to get involved in the delivery of more complicated orthodontic care, often with poor outcomes. We have to look at this reality as an opportunity for the growth of our profession rather than as an obstacle to our success. Orthodontists now have the opportunity to inform the public of our unique specialty qualifications. Also, we have the opportunity to, learn about and, scientifically evaluate the efficacy and quality of these new technologies. We can, when we feel it is appropriate, adopt these technologies, and continue to deliver a “specialty” level of orthodontic care to our patients and continue to be the most highly trained and most qualified providers of orthodontic care.

The AAO consumer awareness program (CAP) will allow us to continue to deliver our message that we are the most qualified providers of orthodontic care. For a dollar or two a day, it is a very small price to pay to maintain our differentiation from the general dentist. 

The 2013 GLAO Annual Meeting will be at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO. We will be partnering with the Rocky Mountain Society of Orthodontists to deliver an excellent program and an opportunity for you and your staff to continue to expand your knowledge and to develop that “specialty” edge that our profession must maintain. Also, The Broadmoor will provide you, your staff and your families an opportunity to discover the Rocky Mountains and experience a level of customer service that we should all strive to deliver back home in our orthodontic practices.

Mark you calendar today!  September 27-29, 2013 at The Broadmoor.

I look forward to seeing you.

Michael Sherman
 

 NOTICE OF PROPOSED GLAO
BYLAWS AMENDMENTS

The GLAO Board of Directors is submitting amended BYLAWS to the membership.  Please review the PROPOSED GLAO BYLAWS AMENDMENTS or GLAO BYLAWS that contains the proposed amendments.  Members will have an opportunity to discuss or testify regarding these proposed BYLAWS amendments at the GLAO Annual Member Business Meeting on Saturday, September 28, 2013, 7:00-8:00am at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado.   A vote on these proposed BYLAWS amendments will take place at that time.  Note:  “BYLAWS may be amended at any session of the General Assembly by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the legal votes cast."  The GLAO Board of Directors will provide relevant and up-to-date information regarding issues important to GLAO and the AAO at this Business Meeting.   We hope you will make every effort to attend!

 Market Your Practice with AAO Consumer Awareness Program Materials
The AAO Consumer Awareness Program has expanded its focus to include adult orthodontics. Adding your practice information to an AAO ad and placing the ad in local media outlets will put your practice front-of-mind among consumers residing in your area. The new AAO ads continue to emphasize the specialized training and expertise of orthodontists in straightening teeth and aligning jaws. AAO research has shown that when prospective patients and parents know about orthodontists' two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school they are more likely to select an orthodontist for orthodontic treatment.
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