AP Presidential Address – Given by Steve Eckert following his installation on May 6^th 2011 by Past President Rhonda Jacob.

Thank you Dr. Jacob for inducting the Executive Councilors.  Most of the people in attendance this evening have probably forgotten that Rhonda, HP and I were all in the same incoming AP class.  It's a real pleasure to see all three as past or current officers of this Academy.  It is probably a testimonial to our friendship, and maybe to a little healthy encouragement, that this has occurred for these three classmates.

Before I begin, I need to recognize the individuals who are responsible for my being here.  My mentors Ron Desjardins, Bill Laney and Ned Van Roekel were the sorts of educators who embraced residents as colleagues.  They took a long range view of residents realizing that three or four years in the future the resident becomes a colleague.  So they began the collegial relationship at the beginning...something I certainly appreciated and continue to appreciate, and hopefully live up to, today.

I want to thank my other colleagues at Mayo, Alan Carr, Sree Koka and Tom Salinas, for their putting up with my different activities in organized dentistry over the last 26 years.

Thanks to President Eggleston, Secretary Treasurer Koka Recording Secretary Taylor and all the other current and past members of the EC with whom I have had the pleasure of working.

During my years as recording secretary and secretary treasurer I had the pleasure of working with Lea Alexander and want to recognize her for her efforts.  Lea always keeps us moving the right direction and always did this with a sense of humor.

Finally, there is one person who has shared anniversaries with this academy over the last 21 years, my wife Susan.  You know, on our honeymoon we made a side trip to Palm Springs so I could make a poster presentation to the Academy and we have been to every meeting since that time.  Susan always offers me sage advice; for this talk her advice was to keep it short!!  Susan, thanks for your support and advice' it is always prudent and to the point.

There remains one glaring omission on the list.  This week, even more than most, I want to thank our uniformed service members and guests, for without their service we would not have the comfort and safety to have a meeting like this one.

This brings us to the Academy itself.  As I look towards the next year and beyond it seems appropriate to take inventory of where we are and how we have arrived here.

When there was no organized society devoted to prosthodontics a group of interested individuals gathered at a national meeting and the precursor to the Academy of Prosthodontics was formed.

When it became clear that there was sufficient unique information related to prosthodontics to justify a specialty, the Academy of Prosthodontics was there.

When it was recognized that there was a need for a journal devoted to prosthetic dentistry, the Academy of Prosthodontics was there.

When the specialty of prosthodontics needed to establish an examining body, the American Board of Prosthodontics, the Academy of Prosthodontics was there.

When it bcame clear that there was a need for a common language the Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms was created; the Academy of Prosthodontics was there.

When a desire for standardization of principles and practices in prosthodontics was recognized; the Academy of Prosthodontics was there.

When a new and reliable method of support, retention and stability was identified in the form of osseointegration, the Academy of Prosthodontics was there bringing this idea to the world.

When it became clear that the volume of scientific literature was, you name it, cumbersome or perhaps insurmountable, the concept of evidence-based dentistry was brought to the fore, the Academy of Prosthodontics was there.

As we begin to appreciate the limitations of our technical interventions, as we have seen during this meeting, the Academy of Prosthodontics is here.

During this meeting we have heard discussion of a number of ethical issues, indeed as technology changes, our understanding of disease and prognosis will also change, and our knowledge of ethics as related to dental practices will become increasingly critical.  The Academy of Prosthodontics will be here.

We have a legacy of innovation and leadership.  Look around the room, at how many renowned clinicians, educators and researchers sit in this room.  In the realm of service, research and education, the Academy of Prosthodontics is here.

So where will this Academy be in the future? Is there any doubt tht the Academy of prosthodontics will be there when biological natural tooth replacement becomes a reality?  Is there any organization in prosthodontics that is better poised to provide mentorship to younger clinicians?

I recently wrote an editorial in which I described my observation that in many meetings, groups of people pass through the room simply to be seen.  The editorial described a system of hero-worship in which one anointed leader is followed by a cadre of followers; I liked the description of a "posse of sycophants".  The problem with the posse is that there is no mutual benefit gained from the relationship as the leader learns nothing from the followers and the sycophants never appreciate the benefit of independent thought.  I am happy to say that the Academy of Prosthodontics is NOT there!

Where the Academy is, is right where I started this address.  The Academy is a gathering of colleagues, some young and some more mature, where there is a symbiotic relationship among the membership.  Our fellowship is not just a member category; it is recognition that collegiality, friendship and mutual intellectual stimulation are the hallmarks of this Academy.

Thank you all for being the Academy of Prosthodontics and thank you all for the honor of asking me to be there for the Academy.  It will be a great year and I can assure you that this Academy will continue to be there for all of us in the future.

Please enjoy the rest of the evening.