History and Founding of AAOMS:
- Founded in 1918 by 29 dentists specializing in tooth extraction
- Initially named American Society of Exodontists in 1919
- Formally recognized by the American Dental Association
- Changed name to American Society of Oral Surgeons and Exodontists in 1921
- Many oral surgeons in the early 20th century had medical degrees and volunteered during World War I

Key Figures and Contributions:
- Varaztad Kazanjian, Robert H. Ivy, Carl W. Waldron, Simon Hullihen, and James Garretson made significant contributions to oral surgery
- These dentists progressed the specialty in various ways
- Their work included facial trauma treatment during World War I
- Their efforts helped shape the field of oral surgery
- Their contributions paved the way for future advancements

Name Changes and Evolution:
- The Board of the American Society of Oral Surgeons was created in 1946
- In 1978, the board's name changed to American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS)
- In the same year, the organization changed its name to American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS)
- These name changes reflected the evolving nature of the specialty
- The new names better represented the scope and focus of the organization

Journals and Publications:
- AAOMS played a key role in creating the first American edition of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 1943
- The journal was initially called Journal of Oral Surgery
- AAOMS acquired the journal from ADA in 1981 for more control
- Another journal called Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, and Oral Radiology has been publishing articles related to oral surgery since 1948
- These journals serve as important platforms for sharing research and advancements in the field

Present Status and Membership:
- AAOMS has over 9,000 fellows, members, and residents in the United States
- More than 90 percent of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the US belong to AAOMS
- The organization has 250 affiliate members from nations worldwide
- AAOMS has state component societies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico
- It also has eight regional component societies, further expanding its reach and influence