New leadership elected as organization strengthens support for Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact

GRAPEVINE, Texas (November 20, 2025) – The American Association of Dental Boards (AADB) elected new leadership and recognized outstanding contributions to dental regulation during the Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit and Educators Conference. The five-day event brought together three major dental organizations in the dental profession.

AADB members elected new leadership to guide the organization through the coming year. Dr. Cliff Feingold (NC) was elected President, with Dr. Bobby Carmen (OK) as Vice President, Dr. Donald Bennett (LA) as Secretary/Treasurer, Dr. Mary Starsiak (IL) and Dr. Maxine Feinberg (NJ) as Members At Large, and Ms. Lorie Jones, RDH (TX), as Dental Hygiene Member.

During the Summit, outgoing AADB President Dr. Arthur Jee highlighted the growing importance of active engagement in all aspects of dental regulation. He noted the organization’s unique ability to connect dental boards nationwide and thanked those supporting the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact (IDDHLC), which aims to streamline licensing while maintaining high standards.

“The Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact will gain significant momentum in 2026, expanding on our strong foundation,” said Dr. Jee. “State boards embraced our approach this year, validating our strategy of maintaining high standards while creating professional mobility. This success positions us well to expand the compact’s reach and impact in the coming year.”

AADB has provided focused CE sessions in recent years based on feedback from prior meetings. This year’s focus was on Artificial Intelligence, and it’s use in dentistry and dental regulation. Dr. Alan Friedel presented the dynamic and evolving ways AI is used in radiographic diagnosis and the prevention of overtreatment. Dr. Cindy Streun from the Federation of State Medical Boards provided a synopsis of how AI is utilized in the regulation of the medical profession.

The Summit program also included reports from AADB representatives to associated organizations and an Attorney Roundtable hosted by AADB Counsel and other members of the Attorney Roundtable group. The attendee favorite roundtable session focused on combating illegal, unlicensed practice and strategies for engaging law enforcement to protect the public. In the General Session, representatives provided updates from the Joint Commission on Dental Examinations (JCNDE), the Council on Dental Education and Licensure (CDEL), the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), and the Council on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

“The AADB provides a platform for meaningful dialogue that will shape the future of dental regulation and benefit the professions,” said Kimber Cobb, Executive Director of AADB. “The collaboration between testing agencies, administrators, and regulatory boards strengthens our collective ability to protect the public while supporting dental professionals.”

Additionally, AADB presented Dr. Melodie Jones of Alabama with the prestigious Citizen of the Year Award during the Summit. This honor recognizes her dedicated service to the dental community during her tenure on the Alabama Board of Dentistry and her advocacy for state-level regulatory authority. The annual award celebrates AADB members who make significant contributions to the dental profession and the examining community.