The Academy of Osseointegration is a research-oriented collective of medical professionals in the dental field. Osseointegration, the implantation of teeth into the jaw, has only been a part of North American healthcare since 1982; thus, it was decided by a group of medical professionals that the sharing of research and information should take place in the form of an annual meeting, or a conference. Today, the Academy meets both in North America and abroad, with more than 6,000 members from 70 countries contributing information and research. The Academy's day-to-day operations are conducted by a staff of professionals, based in Arlington Heights.