Local Issaquah pediatric dentist, Dr. John Liu, was recently installed as the president-elect for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) during the groups annual meeting at the end of May.

A member of the AAPD since 1988, Liu served as the vice president, secretary-treasurer and was a trustee-at-large for the national group for three years.

Liu’s term as president will begin next May during the annual conference in Chicago. Of his goals during his presidental term he said he plans to continue spearheading the organization’s top goal of improving oral health for all children in the United States.

Liu also said it is important to him to continue to advocate for strong training practices at dental schools across the nation, especially at a time when schools may be forced to cut funding to programs. He said programs like the one at the University of Washington may lose grants from the state during the current budget crisis, and alumni and organizations, such as the AAPD should help if it is possible.

“It is important to step up to the plate and help where we can,” said Liu.

Liu is a practicing pediatric dentist with the Eastside Pediatric Dental Group.