Members of the 2024-2025 AAOMS Board of Trustees were installed on Sept. 11 during the third session of the House of Delegates.

Front row, from left:

• Steven R. Nelson, DDS, MS, Speaker of the House of Delegates, SSOMS Member
• Jeffrey H. Wallen, DDS, Treasurer, SSOMS Member, SSOMS Past President
• Charles A. Crago, DMD, MD, FACS, Vice President
• J. David Morrison, DMD, President, SSOMS Member
• Robert S. Clark, DMD, President-Elect, SSOMS Member
• Mark A. Egbert, DDS, FACS, Immediate Past President, SSOMS Member
• Karin Wittich, CAE, Secretary/Executive Director

Back row, from left:

• Debra M. Sacco, DMD, MD, District III Trustee, SSOMS Member
• Edward J. Miller Jr., DMD, District I Trustee
• Gregory M. Ness, DDS, FACS, District IV Trustee
• Martin E. Eichner, DDS, District II Trustee, SSOMS Member
• Julia R. Plevnia, DDS, FACS, District V Trustee
• W. Frederick Stephens, DDS, District VI Trustee

SSOMS Past President Dr. J. David Allen, one of the specialty’s true icons, passed away August 9 at the age of 79. David was one of our leaders for many years, serving whenever and wherever he was needed. He will be missed.

ALLEN, J. David “Doc”
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. J. David Allen, who went to be with his maker on the 9th of August, 2024, at the age of 79. Born to his late parents, Ina Tweedell Allen and William Heath Allen, on the 30th of March, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Allen’s life was one marked by steadfast service, kindness, and a warm sense of humor that endeared him to all.

A proud alumnus of Russell High School in East Point. GA, Dr. Allen furthered his education at the esteemed Emory University, where he earned degrees from both the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Dentistry. His dedication to Emory was unparalleled as he honorably served as a trustee for over two decades. His commitment to public service was further evident in his role as the inaugural chairman of the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation and his recognition as one of the “100 Most Influential Georgians” by Georgia Trend Magazine in 2015.

Dr. Allen’s patriotic spirit was reflected in his service to the United States Navy, from which he brought great diligence and dedication into his civilian life. He was deeply involved in the betterment of his community through his work with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Atlanta and Social Circle Rotary Clubs, Georgia Research Alliance, Georgia Historical Society, and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority.

In retirement, he moved to his country home in Social Circle. There he was became a member of the Social Circle United Methodist Church and practiced his faith with devotion and humility. “Doc”, as many friends called him in recent years, found joy in the great outdoors, pursuing his passions for hunting, wildlife conservation, and taking peaceful walks with his cherished English Cocker Spaniel, Tripp.

He is mourned by his daughters, Lisa Allen (Alissa Cohan), Debra Allen Keenan (Peter), and Pam Allen Ambler (Stewart); as well as their mother, Beverly Dew Allen. He is also survived by brother-in-law, Edward C. Milligan; nieces, Allison Milligan Gruehn (Chris), Catherine Milligan Sanders (Mike), Katie Allen Ellington (Jeff), Mary Dallas Allen (Dennis Fisher); and nephews, Heath Milligan (Molly), Heath Allen, Hollis Allen; as well as three grandchildren and several great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in passing by his brothers, Heath and Stephen Allen; and sister, Linda Allen Milligan.

Dr. Allen’s life will be celebrated in a traditional service at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the 13th of September, at 11:00 AM. Family and friends are invited to gather afterwards for a reception at The Chase Gallery, Schwartz Center for Performing Arts at Emory University. In lieu of floral tributes, the family requests that donations be made in Dr. Allen’s memory to the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation or the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Emory University School of Medicine.

A message from AAOMS District III Trustee Dr. Debra Sacco:
As you may know, the development of new anesthesia regulations in North Carolina has encountered several obstacles over the past four years and involved the engagement of the entire NCSOMS society. As your District III Trustee and NCOMS member I am pleased to announce a favorable outcome: the adoption of new anesthesia regulations on June 17, which will bolster safety and standards in anesthesia administration.

Notable provisions include limits on moderate sedation agents to manufacturer-recommended dosages, prohibiting moderate sedation permit holders from using such agents for general anesthesia or deep sedation. Permit holders administering sedation must maintain specific equipment in alignment with current AAOMS guidelines and undergo emergency training with their staff at least once every six months. Strengthened adverse event reporting requirements mandate notification to the Board within 72 hours of any patient experiencing permanent brain dysfunction post-anesthesia, alongside the existing obligation to report patient deaths. Additionally, any patient admitted to a hospital within 24 hours after receiving anesthesia must be reported within 30 days.

While largely conforming to AAOMS standards, all NCSOMS members are advised to review the regulations thoroughly to ensure adherence.

Thank you to all of the members who offered their time and support in this effort.
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Debra Sacco, DMD, MD
AAOMS District III Trustee

In a fitting tribute to one of the specialty’s most beloved OMSs, the Alabama Society of OMS (ALSOMS) recently honored Dr. Warren W. Arrasmith with $100,000 in new gifts to the OMS Foundation made in his honor. These Alabama and national donors helped launch the appeal with new Bronze OMSFIRE gifts:

Let’s join ALSOMS with donations in honor of Dr. Arrasmith.

Simply go to the OMS Foundation Web site:

• Check the “honor or memorial gift” box in the online donation form
• Put Warren Arrasmith in the “in honor/memory” field
• It’s not necessary to complete the Notification Recipient info that follows
• Add “SSOMS” in the “Additional Information” field (after Donor Recognition)

To Donate: https://secure3.convio.net/omsf/site/Donation2?df_id=1720&mfc_pref=T&1720.donation=form1
 

The Florida Dental Association (FDA) recognized Dr. Daniel J. Gesek Jr., as Dentist of the Year at the 2022 FDA Awards Luncheon in Orlando. Congratulations, Dan!

Dr. Gesek has served as a leader in organized dentistry at the national, state and local levels. In addition to serving on both the FDA and the American Dental Association (ADA) House of Delegates, he has served on the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure and FDA Council on Communications, helping lead key policy changes in these roles. Dr. Gesek was also appointed to the Florida Board of Dentistry, where he served from 2007-2015.

Dr. Gesek was also named 2022-2023 Secretary of the FDA, which will lead to him becoming president of the association in 2026.

In addition to these leadership roles, Dr. Gesek served as the chair of the 2021 Florida Mission of Mercy held in Jacksonville. Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Gesek successfully led the first large-scale, post-pandemic Mission of Mercy event in the nation, which provided 1,000 patients in need with $1.6 million worth of donated dental care.

“Dr. Gesek has been influential in the safe and effective practice of dentistry in Florida and throughout the nation,” said Drew Eason, CEO and executive director of the FDA. “He exemplifies the Dentist of the Year award through his leadership in the dental profession, as well as his dedication to helping thousands of Floridians receive critical dental care through the Florida Mission of Mercy.”

Dr. Gesek grew up in Olean, New York and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1991. He went on to study Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Washing Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., completing his residency in 1995. Dr. Gesek is now a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicing in Jacksonville, where he resides with his wife Stacy and their three children.