Ostrow alumnus Morris N. Poole DDS ’76,  an orthodontist with offices in Logan and Smithfield, Utah and Preston, Idaho, has been elected the 2014-15 president-elect of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), the world’s oldest and largest dental specialty organization with more than 17,000 members. The election was recently held during the AAO’s 114^th Annual Session in New Orleans. Poole will become the AAO president beginning in May 2015.

“The AAO is an outstanding professional association and serving within its leadership has been an enlightening experience,” said Poole.  “I’m looking forward to preparing this year to become the association’s president.  It’s an honor.  Providing individual, quality service to our patients is our priority while helping them achieve an aligned bite and a healthy, beautiful smile.  Orthodontic care has become an integral part of managing overall dental health, and can be appropriate at almost any age.  I am dedicated to the AAO’s mission to support our members through education, research, advocacy and professional services so that they can provide patients with the highest level of orthodontic treatment possible.”

After earning his dental degree from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC in 1976, Poole completed his residency in orthodontics at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has been in the private practice of orthodontics since 1978.

Poole has been a member of the AAO for more than 30 years. He was elected by the Rocky Mountain Society of Orthodontists (RMSO) in 2006 to be its representative on the AAO Board of Trustees.  Poole also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation, which supports orthodontic education and research. In addition, he is on the Board of Directors of AAO Services, Inc. a for-profit subsidiary of the AAO.

Poole has been a delegate for RMSO to the AAO House of Delegates, and is a past member and chair of the AAO Council on Orthodontic Healthcare.

In addition to his involvement with the AAO, Poole is also a member and past president of the RMSO, Utah Association of Orthodontists, and the Cache District Dental Society of Utah. He belongs to the American Dental Association, the Utah Dental Association, the LDS Academy of Dentists, the Academy of General Dentistry and the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. He is a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the International College of Dentists, and a Diplomate of The American Board of Orthodontics.

Poole’s long-standing commitment to his community extends throughout a multitude of volunteer and professional organizations, including service to the Logan City Schools Foundation and the Utah State University Old Main Society. He has held positions on the Board of the American West Heritage Foundation and the State of Utah Council on National and State Volunteerism, as well as the Bridgerland Area Technology College.  Poole has worked with the Boy Scouts of America for 34 years. He has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was awarded the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver for his years of service.  In addition, he has coached baseball and basketball and is a past member of Kiwanis.

Poole and his wife, Dixie Lou, reside in Logan.  They have seven children and 14 grandchildren.  Poole’s son, orthodontist Morris L. Poole, now practices with him and partner, Dr. Craig L. Willis.  In his leisure time, Poole enjoys gardening, hiking and being with family.

About the American Association of Orthodontists

Founded in 1900, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is the world’s oldest and largest dental specialty organization.  It represents 17,000 orthodontist members throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.  The AAO encourages and sponsors key research to enable its members to provide the highest quality of care to patients, and is committed to educating the public about the need for, and benefits of, orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontists are uniquely qualified specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align teeth and jaws.  Orthodontists receive an additional two to three years of specialized education in orthodontics beyond dental school at an accredited orthodontic residency program.  Visit the AAO’s websites, mylifemysmile.org and AAOinfo.org, for information about orthodontists, orthodontic care and to locate nearby orthodontists.

Courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontists