American Association of Endodontists Featured in New Book Chronicling Associations' Response to COVID-19

When It Mattered Most highlights AAE and endodontists' work to support patients and the specialty during an unprecedented time

CHICAGO, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is featured in a new book documenting how professional associations helped their members, professions and communities navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

When It Mattered Most: The Untold Story of How Associations Protected Professions and Saved Industries During the Pandemic, by association executive and author Joanna M. Pineda, shares the stories of 24 associations across health care, education and other industries. AAE is one of the organizations featured in the book's health care section, with a story titled "When the Pain Can't Wait."

The AAE story looks back at a period when dental practices faced rapidly changing circumstances, while patients continued to experience tooth pain and dental emergencies that required timely care. Throughout the pandemic, AAE worked to keep endodontists informed and supported as they continued providing essential care to patients.

"We are honored to have the AAE's story included in When It Mattered Most, but what makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that it reflects the commitment our members showed to their patients during an incredibly difficult time," said W. Craig Noblett, DDS, MS, president of the American Association of Endodontists. "Even amid tremendous uncertainty, and potential personal risk, endodontists continued to do what they do every day: relieve pain, treat dental emergencies and help patients save their natural teeth."

Pineda wrote the book to document a part of the pandemic response that often happened outside the public eye. Associations were called upon to interpret rapidly changing information, advocate for their professions and provide resources and support to members navigating circumstances for which there was no established playbook. The book highlights the impact and continuing relevance of associations through stories from organizations that responded to the crisis in different ways.

"I am incredibly proud of pandemic response from the AAE staff and our leadership," said Ken Widelka, CAE, FACHE, CPA, executive director of the American Association of Endodontists. "Those early months, when we did not know how bad the pandemic would be, were about listening to the quickly evolving needs of our members and doing everything we could to help them continue caring for their patients. Seeing that work documented years later is gratifying, but the real story is the way our members responded. Endodontists stepped up for their patients and communities when access to urgent dental care was especially important."

The book also provides an opportunity for AAE and its members to reflect on the lessons of the pandemic and the role a strong professional community can play during periods of uncertainty.

When It Mattered Most is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Apple Books.

About the American Association of Endodontists

The American Association of Endodontists is headquartered in Chicago and represents endodontists, dental specialists who have completed additional training beyond dental school and specialize in saving natural teeth through root canal treatment and other endodontic procedures. The AAE is dedicated to advancing the art and science of endodontics and promoting the highest standards of patient care. For more information, visit aae.org.

CONTACT:

Kim FitzSimmons, MBA, CAE, AAiP
[email protected], 312-872-0458

Elisabeth Lisican
[email protected], 312-872-0460

SOURCE American Association of Endodontists