The UAB School of Dentistry’s Department of Periodontology was well represented at 109th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) in Austin, TX, receiving several notable accolades.
Mia Geisinger, D.D.S., M.S., Professor and acting department chair, was installed as the association’s President-Elect during the meeting. Dr. Geisinger has previously served as the President of the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation (AAPF) and has served on the AAP’s Board of Trustees since 2018.
Interim Dean Nicolaas Geurs, D.D.S., M.S., received the AAP William J. Gies Award. In Memory of Arthur Hastings Merritt, the award is presented annually by the William J. Gies Foundation for the Advancement of Dentistry of the American Dental Education Association for outstanding contributions to the field of periodontology.
Geurs was also installed as a member of the board of directors of the American Board of Periodontology (ABP), the specialty’s certifying body. He has served as an examiner for the ABP for more than a decade and is also currently the AAP’s Education Consultant.
“The AAP Annual Meeting is a wonderful opportunity to learn about state-of-the art clinical and scientific practice in periodontology, to connect with colleagues, friends and alumni, and to engage with various innovative initiatives focused on improving patient care and periodontal practice,” says Geisinger. “The UAB Department of Periodontology continues to be highly engaged with the AAP and we are proud that our residents, alumni, and faculty continue to support our specialty and the dental profession.”
During the conference, the department hosted a Weatherford Periodontal Alumni Association Dinner which was celebrated with more than 50 alumni. Current periodontal residents and the dental student officers of the UAB Periodontal Interest Group (PSIG) were guests of the alumni association.
About AAP
The American Academy of Periodontology is a 7,500-member professional organization for periodontists – specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. The Academy’s purpose is to advance the periodontal and general health of the public and promote excellence in the practice of periodontics.
Periodontists are also dentistry’s experts in the treatment of oral inflammation and receive three additional years of specialized training following dental school. Periodontics is one of the 12 dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.