Robert M. Taft Installed as President of the American College of Prosthodontists
Navy Veteran to Lead the American College of Prosthodontists for the Next Year
Chicago, IL, Nov. 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Robert M. Taft, DDS, FACP, has been installed as president of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). Taft was sworn in during the 47th Annual Session of the ACP, which drew more than 1,100 attendees to San Francisco on Nov. 1-4, 2017.
Currently, Taft is a professor and the chair of the Comprehensive Dentistry department at UT Health San Antonio. Previously Taft held several positions with the Navy, including department chair of Prosthodontics, and dean at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School and also as deputy chief of the United States Navy Dental Corps from June 2011 to June 2013. Taft also served as the Specialty Leader to the Surgeon General for Postgraduate Dental Education from June 2006 to June 2011.
“In my opinion, our future is bright for our strength comes from our membership and the bonds between each and every one of us,” says Taft. “We should and will form new friendships outside our traditional borders as that diversity will allow us to grow, reshape, and continue to drive cutting edge excellence in education, research, and patient care. My commitment to the ACP is heartfelt and this drive will continue to the best of my abilities.”
Taft has been a dedicated ACP member for 27 years, and is committed to the service of his patients and the continued progress of prosthodontists. Within the ACP, Taft is highly involved, including being a Fellow of the ACP, Finance and Audit Committee member, Professional and Corporate Relations Committee member, and ACP Spokespersons Network member. He can be seen in this video talking about ACP’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Restored Teeth.
Taft is a Diplomate, Board Examiner, and past president of the American Board of Prosthodontics. He is a Fellow of the ACP, past president of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics and has held many other board positions within his field. His personal awards include two Legions of Merit, three Meritorious Service medals , two Navy Commendation medals and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, Professor Emeritus, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Presidents Exceptional Service Award, Deans Award for Teaching Excellence, Andrew J. Ackerman Award and the Judson C. Hickey Scientific Writing Award (JPD).
A prosthodontist is a specialized dentist who focuses on the restoration and replacement of missing teeth and correcting other oral or facial issues. With their advanced training, prosthodontists are able to help patients with things like implants, dentures and veneers, all the way to a full mouth and jaw reconstruction.