The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) announced that Robin Wright, PhD, has been named assistant director of the AAPD Pediatric Oral Health Research & Policy Center. In this position, Wright will oversee research, analyze issues affecting children’s health, author articles and technical briefs, and support advocacy efforts at both national and state levels.ADDITIONAL READING | Increasing frequency of pediatric dental visits helps prevent tooth decay “We are ecstatic at being able to hire such a dynamic and accomplished professional,” said AAPD CEO Dr. John S. Rutkauskas. “Given her vast experience and expertise, coupled with her long history tied to our organization, we look forward to her many contributions to our policy & research center.”ADDITIONAL READING |AAPD announces new hub for consumer awareness campaign As president of Wright Communications since 1986, Wright has provided seminars to state dental associations on communications and related practice management and public policy issues. She has written and/or produced over 60 publications and is the author of the 1997 book, “Tough Questions, Great Answers: Responding to Patient Questions About Today’s Dentistry.” She holds a master’s degree in communication from the University of Illinois at Urbana and a doctorate in health-care communication at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Wright has worked extensively with the AAPD as an author and media consultant and wrote the Pediatric Dentistry supplement to the ADA’s Dental Marketing Planning Guide, the AAPD media packet Fast Facts and text for the AAPD patient education brochure series, in addition to training a growing cadre of media spokespersons on an annual basis. She also developed three presentations specifically for pediatric dental audiences titled, “Great Solutions for Tough Parent Situations,” “Team Up for Treatment Acceptance,” and “Tough Questions, Great Answers: Responding to Parent’s Concerns About Pediatric Dentistry,” presented at the AAPD Annual Sessions from 1995–2013. “In my 25 years of working with the dental profession, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has been a strong advocate for children and truly speaking for their interests,” stated Wright. “The Pediatric Oral Health Research & Policy Center furthers that much-needed advocacy by offering a strong research agenda and oral health policy based on solid science. On behalf of children, including my own, I am proud to be a part of this vital effort.” The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is the recognized authority on children’s oral health. As advocates for children’s oral health, the AAPD promotes evidence-based policies and clinical guidelines; educates and informs policymakers, parents and guardians, and other health-care professionals; fosters research; and provides continuing professional education for pediatric dentists and general dentists who treat children. Founded in 1947, the AAPD is a not-for-profit professional membership association representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. Its 9,300 members provide primary care and comprehensive dental specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents and individuals with special health-care needs. For further information, visit the AAPD website or the AAPD’s consumer website.