Findings of the 2005 AAOMS Research Summit

Abstract

A medical specialty’s importance to the public is directly related to its ability to prevent and treat health-related problems. Research must provide the foundation of these therapies. For oral and maxillofacial surgeons to be relevant in the future, they must be engaged in the research which provides the framework for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of those conditions which impact the oral and maxillofacial region.The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) Advisory Committee on Research Planning and Technology Assessment (ACRPTA) sponsored a Research Forum in May of this year. This was made possible through the vision and support of AAOMS Board of Trustees as well as the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation (OMSF). The goal was to chart the future of research in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Experts in four areas were invited to present at the forum. Workgroups were established to write summaries of these presentations. In this month’s Journal these summaries are published.The next step is to use these papers to communicate with funding agencies and to provide direction for oral and maxillofacial training programs. It is clear from these papers that this research cannot be accomplished in a vacuum. Collaboration with other disciplines is the key to achieving this research and keeping our specialty relevant in the future. The specialty needs to act now to position itself in new areas of healthcare that impact our practice.The ACRPTA appreciates the interest and support of the AAOMS and OMSF Boards. A medical specialty’s importance to the public is directly related to its ability to prevent and treat health-related problems. Research must provide the foundation of these therapies. For oral and maxillofacial surgeons to be relevant in the future, they must be engaged in the research which provides the framework for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of those conditions which impact the oral and maxillofacial region. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) Advisory Committee on Research Planning and Technology Assessment (ACRPTA) sponsored a Research Forum in May of this year. This was made possible through the vision and support of AAOMS Board of Trustees as well as the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation (OMSF). The goal was to chart the future of research in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Experts in four areas were invited to present at the forum. Workgroups were established to write summaries of these presentations. In this month’s Journal these summaries are published. The next step is to use these papers to communicate with funding agencies and to provide direction for oral and maxillofacial training programs. It is clear from these papers that this research cannot be accomplished in a vacuum. Collaboration with other disciplines is the key to achieving this research and keeping our specialty relevant in the future. The specialty needs to act now to position itself in new areas of healthcare that impact our practice. The ACRPTA appreciates the interest and support of the AAOMS and OMSF Boards.