Bill Klaproth (Host): This is AAOMS On The Go. I'm Bill Klaproth. Today, we are honored to welcome the 2026-2027 AAOMS President, Dr. Charles Crago, as he shares his goals and priorities for the year. Dr. Crago, welcome.

Dr. Charles Crago: Thank you, Bill. I appreciate the opportunity to participate today.

Host: Absolutely. Great to hear from you. So, let's start here. As you begin your presidential year, tell us what is your vision for the year ahead?

Dr. Charles Crago: Bill, my theme for this year is Freedom to Serve, United in Purpose. The broad vision for the year is to emphasize serving the specialty, listening to and engaging our members, and representing the association in all venues. More specifically, the theme reflects the many ways AAOMS members can choose to serve. I hope the theme encourages members to reflect on how they can contribute, not just now, but for many years into the future.

Service can take many forms: leadership, advocacy, committee work, mentoring, caring for underserved populations, or supporting the specialty in many other ways. There's really no single path to service. Each of us can decide how and where we make a difference, and that's where freedom to serve comes in, in that we are blessed to be in a situation in this country where we can choose the avenue that we want to take to serve others.

Now, while we may serve in different ways, we are all united in purpose, and that is to serve the public in the best way possible and support the future of our specialty.

Host: Freedom to serve united in purpose. I like how you put that together and how you say each of us can decide how and where we can make a difference. That's a really good message. So as incoming president, what initiatives do you intend to focus on this year?

Dr. Charles Crago: We have several focus areas that we want to concentrate on this year, beginning with continuing to protect and advocate for the OMS anesthesia model. And as a counterpart to that, we are going to advance the association's work in simulation and, in doing so, increase patient safety.

Advocacy is always a key issue for the specialty, and we would like to increase member participation at both the federal and state levels. Lastly, we want to encourage members to find new ways to serve and to engage colleagues who may not currently be active in AAOMS.

Host: So, you mentioned the importance of protecting the OMS anesthesia model. So, what role does AAOMS play in continuing that ongoing effort?

Dr. Charles Crago: Anesthesia remains at the forefront of our concerns. It is critical that we provide safe and effective anesthesia with the idea that patient safety is paramount. AAOMS will continue to advocate for the operator anesthetist model at both the state and federal levels, and we must have a voice in policies and guidelines that affect our specialty and the patients we serve.

AAOMS supports a collaborative approach that brings all appropriate stakeholders to the table when guidelines are constructed. We will continue to advance guidelines that support our model and allow OMSs to provide the best possible care to patients.

Host: Absolutely. And you also mentioned simulation and patient safety are also among your priorities. Why is this an important area of focus?

Dr. Charles Crago: Simulation remains important for education, preparation and, in doing those things, ensuring patient safety. I intend to establish a board subcommittee on simulation to evaluate all aspects of simulation, to consider available options, and develop thoughtful recommendations. This includes review of restricted airway simulators that are readily available to our members, incorporation of these simulators into quarterly drills, and to decide the future of OB versus possible office-based crisis management.

The emphasis is on creating an approach that is meaningful and beneficial to the specialty, AAOMS members and, most importantly, our patients.

Host: So, Dr. Crago, you've mentioned advocacy a few times as another priority. What role do you hope members will play in strengthening the specialty's voice?

Dr. Charles Crago: Well, Bill, advocacy is critical to advancing and protecting our specialty. AAOMS supports legislative efforts at the federal level, including Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act and the READY Act. And the AAOMS Day on the Hill provides a tangible opportunity for members to engage directly with their elected representatives. We become a stronger voice when more members participate. Numbers do matter to our congressman and congresswomen because it indicates the level of commitment that individuals have to their association. I encourage members to participate and encourage their colleagues to participate as well.

State-level advocacy is particularly critical in that the state dental boards have the regulatory authority affecting our members. Thus, we must work closely with the state societies to keep members informed, engaged, and that is an area where we plan to increase our efforts.

Host: Well, I like how you say we become a stronger voice when more members participate, and that really does put it in focus, so thank you for explaining that. So, service also is central to your theme for the year. How would you like to see members put that idea of service into action?

Dr. Charles Crago: Well, first of all, I would like to acknowledge all of our members that do serve and hope that they continue in their endeavors. But we want to encourage those same people and others to look for new ways to contribute. Service takes many forms. There's really no single path to becoming involved. And one of my goals is for each of us to influence a colleague who may not currently be active in AAOMS.

Some members still ask, "What does AAOMS do for me?" We need to help members understand that AAOMS is strengthened by their participation and that you are AAOMS, meaning that each of us as an OMS is AAOMS. By educating and engaging those who are not currently active, we can further strengthen our specialty.

Host: Well, Dr. Crago, thank you so much. This has really been interesting talking to you about this. Before we wrap up, just one final question, just curious. Anything you want to add as you look ahead to your upcoming presidency of AAOMS?

Dr. Charles Crago: I would really like to see increased participation in our annual meeting and dental implant conference, because we, like virtually every other association of any stripe in America, are having difficulty maintaining registration numbers for in-person meetings. In-person meetings don't just offer continuing education credits, but they offer an opportunity for networking and coming into contact with new ideas and new people that really expands any individual's focus and viewpoint. And that is something I would really like to see us accomplish.

Host: Yeah, that's a great message, that mentorship, that networking, those in-person conferences really do play an important part in helping lift the whole specialty up and for personal development as well. Dr. Crago, thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful insights and for your service to the OMS specialty. We appreciate it.

Dr. Charles Crago: Bill, I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you and we look forward to a great year.

Host: Absolutely. And once again, that is Dr. Charles Crago. You can visit aaoms.org for more information about the topics discussed in today's episode. And if you enjoyed this podcast, please share it on your social media, and make sure you subscribe so you don't miss a future episode on dental advocacy, leadership, and the future of oral healthcare. I'm Bill Klaproth. This is AAOMS on the Go. Thanks for listening.