American Association of Endodontists Earns Four PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards of Excellence

AAE recognized for integrated communications, misinformation response and innovative efforts to reach consumers with evidence-based information about saving natural teeth

CHICAGO – Sept. 18, 2026 – The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) earned four honors at the 2026 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Chicago Skyline Awards, recognizing the Association’s work to combat health misinformation, educate consumers about endodontic care and demonstrate why natural teeth are worth saving.

AAE was recognized for four distinct communications initiatives:

• “Truth vs. Trends: How One Association Combats Trending Fear-Based Information”
  Recognizing AAE’s ongoing influencer work to identify and respond to misleading and fear-based information about root canal treatment and oral health, while providing patients, members and other stakeholders with credible, evidence-based resources.
• “AAE’s Worth Saving Campaign in 2025: An Evidence-Based Integrated Campaign Elevating the Value of Saving Natural Teeth”
  Honoring AAE’s flagship consumer awareness campaign, which combined earned media, social media, influencer partnerships, patient education and member engagement to encourage consumers to value their natural teeth and understand the specialized role of endodontists. The pinnacle activation included Save Your Tooth Month 2025.
• “Combating Root Canal Misinformation Through Evidence-Based Public Education”
  Recognizing AAE’s proactive efforts to counter persistent myths about root canal treatment by making credible scientific information accessible to consumers and equipping members with a toolkit of resources to address misinformation.
• “Worth Saving: Reaching Digital-First Audiences Through Integrated Social Media Education”
  Celebrating AAE’s use of social media innovation and trusted digital voices to bring evidence-based oral health information to consumers where they increasingly seek and share health information.

“These awards reflect something that has become increasingly central to our communications strategy: being present with credible information wherever patients are looking for answers,” said AAE President Dr. W. Craig Noblett. “Whether someone encounters a question about root canals through social media, a news story, an influencer or an online search, we want reliable, evidence-based information to be there — and we want patients to understand that their natural teeth are worth saving.”

The recognition comes amid AAE’s continued expansion of its public education strategy. The Association has increasingly combined traditional media relations with social media, influencer collaborations, patient resources, and search- and AI-optimized content to reach audiences beyond traditional dental channels.

The work has also emphasized translating scientific evidence into practical information consumers can understand and use. Through the Worth Saving campaign and AAE’s broader misinformation efforts, consumers are encouraged to seek credible sources when making decisions about their dental health and to consult an endodontist when experiencing tooth pain, dental trauma or other conditions involving the inside of the tooth.

“Communications has an important role to play in helping patients distinguish evidence from misinformation,” Dr. Noblett said. “These honors are meaningful because they recognize not just creative communications, but work ultimately designed to help people make better-informed decisions about their oral health and preserve their natural teeth whenever possible.”

PRSA Chicago’s Skyline Awards recognize outstanding public relations and communications work throughout the greater Chicago area. The awards are Chicago’s premier public relations and communications awards competition, celebrating creativity and innovation in public relations and showcasing business impact and results. The 2026 awards were presented Sept. 17 at the organization’s annual Skyline Awards Gala at Venue West in Chicago.

For evidence-based information about root canal treatment, dental trauma and saving natural teeth, visit aae.org/patients. Patients can also locate an endodontist in their area through FindMyEndodontist.com.

About the American Association of Endodontists

The American Association of Endodontists is headquartered in Chicago and represents thousands of members worldwide. Endodontists are highly skilled dental specialists in diagnosing and treating tooth pain and performing root canal treatment. They specialize in saving natural teeth and helping patients maintain their natural smiles.